Position Title: Events and Social Media Coordinator
Salary range: $58,000-62,000 per year
Benefits: Competitive health and dental package and optional RSP match program
Location: Waterloo, ON
Reports to: Manager, BSIA & Special Projects
Experience level: Junior level – two + years of experience
Education: Post-secondary degree/diploma preferred
Contract Term: One-year contract with the possibility of renewal
Posting closes: June 3, 2024
The Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA) is an institute for advanced research, education, and outreach in the fields of global governance and international public policy. Founded in 2007 by philanthropist Jim Balsillie, the BSIA is an equal collaboration among the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), the University of Waterloo (UW), and Wilfrid Laurier University (Laurier). Home to approximately 100 graduate students, the School offers three programs through its partner institutions: a PhD in Global Governance, a Master of International Public Policy and a Master of Arts in Global Governance.
The BSIA has grown significantly since its inception, doubling its enrollment, adding a journal (the Balsillie Papers) and a certificate-based professional suite of online courses (Balsillie Executive Institute) to its portfolio, and offering approximately 75 public events at the School each year. In September 2023, the BSIA was also the recipient of a generous $5 million gift from the Balsillie Family Foundation to establish the Technology Governance Initiative (TGI), which will include more events, wider projection, and new activities.
To support this additional momentum, the BSIA is seeking an organized events planning professional with experience building effective social media campaigns to join its small but mighty team.
Position Summary
With guidance from the Manager, BSIA and Special Projects, the Events and Social Media Coordinator will be responsible for the planning and execution of all in-person, hybrid and virtual events, while developing impactful social media campaigns and promotional pieces, including the Weekly Bulletin newsletter.
As the primary point of contact for BSIA events, this position ensures events run smoothly and deliver an enjoyable and informative experience for participants, speakers and VIPs. This includes everything from booking the event spaces and coordinating catering, to developing agendas, and greeting and assisting event attendees.
The candidate will also use their digital communication expertise to enhance and reinforce the BSIA’s brand and tell stories through succinct posts and interesting images/photography to promote research and activities through the School’s social media channels, its website, and its weekly newsletter.
The coordinator will regularly interact with faculty, graduate students, staff and members of our partners’ communities at all levels. This is a hybrid position, with four days per week in-person at the School, and one day per week from home (based around the events schedule). There may be the occasional need to work outside of regular business hours to support evening or weekend events; where possible, the BSIA will offer time in lieu that same week to offset the hours worked in the evening.
The BSIA offers a vibrant campus community, where each week offers new and stimulating projects and the ability to meet and interact with interesting people.
Accountabilities
Event Planning:
- Under the guidance of the Manager, BSIA and Special Projects, and liaising with the Research Cluster leads and support officers, schedule, plan and execute events such as conferences, workshops, seminars, lunchtime lectures, and social gatherings.
- Coordinate all event logistics, including room bookings, catering, AV support, event set-up and tear-down, volunteer support recruitment, and transportation and accommodations for out-of-town guest speakers.
- Post event details and promotional photos/images on the BSIA website, in the Weekly Bulletin, and on social media channels.
- Manage online registrations, and event communications with registered guests.
- Coordinate Zoom details for online events and provide hosting and chat monitoring support.
- Liaise with vendors and partners to negotiate contracts and secure services.
- Create event wrap-up debriefs and thank you emails.
- Provide invoices to Manager for processing.
Social Media Management:
- With the support of the Manager, BSIA and Special Projects, develop and implement social media strategies to promote BSIA events, research, and TGI pillars; engage with followers; and increase brand awareness.
- Create engaging content for multiple social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
- Schedule and publish posts, tweets, and updates across social media channels to maintain a consistent online presence.
- Monitor social media channels for mentions, comments, and messages, and respond promptly to inquiries and feedback.
- Analyze social media metrics and insights to track performance, identify trends, and optimize content strategies.
- Stay up-to-date with industry trends and best practices.
Communications and Marketing:
- Write and distribute the Weekly Bulletin every Tuesday, which promotes BSIA’s and partners’ events, news and opportunities to a subscriber list of approximately 2,000 people.
- Create event promotional pieces as necessary, and nametags and signage.
- Assist with the development of the Annual Report, the bi-annual TGI Report, monthly Council reports, and other reports as needed.
Qualifications
- postsecondary degree/diploma preferred with at least two years’ experience planning events and managing social media channels
- discretion, good judgment, and excellent communication skills
- proven ability to handle multiple tasks, prioritize workload, and manage frequent interruptions with a high level of professionalism
- ability to be resourceful and proactive when issues arise
- demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative
- demonstrated expertise with Microsoft Office, Adobe suite of products, Canva and Mailchimp
- experience with WordPress for website development, and/or working within a post-secondary environment would be considered assets.
Interested applicants are invited to submit a resume with cover letter to the attention of Tiffany Bradley at info@balsillieschool.ca by Monday, June 3, 2024. We appreciate all candidates’ applications, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
We encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. The Balsillie School is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact info@balsillieschool.ca.