Communications Officer
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to inspire everyone who attends our campus – artists, leaders, and thinkers – to unleash their creative potential. We acknowledge, with deep respect and gratitude, our home on the side of Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain. In the spirit of respect and truth, we honour and acknowledge the Banff area, known as “Minhrpa” (translated in Stoney Nakoda as “the waterfalls”) and the Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda) – comprised of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney Nations – as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Shuswap Nations, Ktunaxa Nations, and Metis Nation of Alberta, Rockyview District 4. We acknowledge all Nations who live, work, and play, help us steward this land, and honour and celebrate this place.
The Opportunity
The Communications Officer at Banff Centre is a natural planner, a passionate pitcher, an in-house storyteller, who thrives in collaboration. The Communications Officer prepares, implements, and evaluates external communications plans for Banff Centre in collaboration with specific program, event, service, and administrative areas. The objective of this position is to provide support to the Director of Communications for all external communications relating to events and programs as well as creating the content and storytelling needs of Banff Centre. The role is responsible for researching, writing, editing, and proofreading content from a variety of internal sources, as well as coordinating and commissioning content from external contributors when appropriate. A primary focus of this position is to strengthen Banff Centre’s presence across owned and earned communication channels by developing engaging stories, securing media coverage, increasing participation in events, and encouraging applications to programs. A key member of the Communications team in creating and executing unified marketing and communications plans.
Roles and Responsibilities
Reporting to Director of Communications, below are some key accountabilities:
Media & Public Relations
- The Communications Officer works with the Communications Coordinator to maintain a media clippings library, is a key user of our media monitoring service, and is responsible for media coverage reporting to the Board of Governors.
- Working closely with the Director of Communications, this position drafts news releases and related pitches, as required.
- This position assists in responding to inquiries from the media, organizing media visits to Banff Centre, and writing and leading campus media tours.
- The Communications Officer will have a particular focus on event-related media relations and coverage, working closely with Production on story opportunities for local and provincial media, including drafting speaking notes for pre-show introductions and coordinating event photo and video capture.
- Media outreach and pitching will include public awareness of Banff Centre programs, faculty, and educational outcomes, and will entail working alongside the Communications Coordinator in press material creation.
- The Communications Officer will assist the Director of Communications on crisis communications plans for Banff Centre.
Content & Storytelling
- The Communications Officer will develop and execute Banff Centre’s Content Strategy in close collaboration with the Content Producer.
- They will implement editorial guidelines for all owned content, including articles for web and print, video, audio, and in-person content channels.
- In collaboration with the Content Producer, the Communications Officer will co-manage the content calendar and track publishing timelines and project status, coordinating with contributing departments and teammates.
- They will create editorial plans and budgets, commission and edit new writers, and assists in the content, design, and print production process of select print publications.
- They conceive, research, create, and write compelling original content that tells the stories of Banff Centre.
- They will work closely with the Content Producer to facilitate audio, video, or photo capture, also working closely with Photo Services and Digital Arts Teams.
- The Communications Officer will evaluate the effectiveness and success of content in collaboration with Marketing, measuring actual results against desired outcomes.
Communications and Content Plans
- The Communications Officer develops and executes communications and content plans as part of a unified Marketing and Communications plan, in collaboration with marketing teammates, Content Producer, and with guidance from the Director, Communications and Director, Marketing.
- The position is also a professional resource to the programs and departments of Banff Centre and requires independent judgment and evaluation of communication project needs. This work requires research, problem-solving, and project management skills.
- Other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Educational Requirements
- 3+ years of related experience is required
- Completion of an undergraduate degree or diploma in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field
- Experience with event planning, conferences, or a post-secondary institution
- Proven experience pitching and securing impactful media coverage
- Direct arts-related industry experience is preferred
- Thorough knowledge of marketing and communications practices and planning.
- Excellent interpersonal communication
- Highly motivated self-starter with the ability to work under broad direction without close supervision
- Strong organization skills with ability to successfully manage multiple tasks and projects
- Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and tasks
- Proven analytical experience with research, writing, and editing
- Familiarity with Internet and Web-based communication
- Strong team player
- Effective problem solver with the ability to seek collaborative and creative solutions
Special Requirements / Considerations
- The extensive range of data maintained in Marketing and Communications will expose the Communications Officer to sensitive and confidential information. Respect for and maintenance of this confidentiality is a strict requirement for the position.
- The Marketing and Communications work environment is primarily open offices. This is a fast-paced work environment where deadlines are ongoing, and meeting deadlines are critical to the success of the organization. Consideration for colleagues is essential.
Employment Terms and Benefits
