Job Summary
Performs a wide variety of media relations tasks designed to enhance the university's reputation, by providing support functions to the media relations team and working with students, faculty and staff to communicate the university's activities, facilities, services, goals and objectives to audiences through local, national and international media.
Organizational Status
Reports to the Associate Director of Public Affairs.

Work Performed

• Helps monitor mainstream media and social media and writes daily media monitoring digest;
• Analyzes social and mainstream media pick-up; helps flag emerging issues in social and mainstream media, and follows major trends and issues affecting the university;
• Compiles and prepares reports summarizing UBC News social media and web site metrics;
• Assists Media Relations Specialists with media contacts, event support, article approvals and other duties;
• Researches and writes feature articles for UBC News;
• Researches and writes media releases;
• Helps produce multimedia story content (photos, slideshows, video, infographics)  for releases and feature articles;
• Assists in planning and implementing of crisis and issues response strategies.
• Under the direction of the Public Affairs Director and the Associate Director, liaises with deans, department heads, faculty, staff and students; liaises with members of the media, referring them to experts or other sources of information, providing factual background information and actively promoting story ideas;
• Works with Media Relations Specialists to provide briefings and media training workshops to departments about public and media relations;
• Assists Media Relations Specialists to organize and coordinate news conferences and other events as required and in conjunction with senior university administrators, faculty and outside organizations, including government;
• Helps compile the UBC Experts Directory and media contact lists;
• Assists in Public Affairs' radio and TV studio operations
• Assists in development of media plans and communications strategies to meet the university's objectives.

Supervision Received
Works under broad guidelines established by the Public Affairs Director and the Associate Director with minimal technical guidance.

Supervision Given
None

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The Assistant Media Relations Specialist is expected to function in a team setting with a degree of autonomy and independence, working under broad guidelines. The consequence of error in this area could be very serious for the university as it concerns the public image and profile of UBC on a provincial, national and international level. Incorrect or insufficient information and advice subsequently passed on to the senior administration could have grave consequences.

Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.  A university degree in a relevant discipline  Minimum of four years experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.  Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline.  Minimum of three years experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience in the communications field, with print and/or broadcast journalism experience that includes social media and multimedia aspects preferred. Experience in digital communications environment required.  Requires strong writing skills and the ability to meet deadlines, and to work under pressure on several projects simultaneously. Ability to communicate effectively via social media and multimedia elements. Ability to work effectively with all levels of university personnel, including senior administration. Excellent knowledge of the journalistic requirements of regional, national and international news media organizations. Excellent internet and web site technical skills. Excellent knowledge of the University of British Columbia and its people. familiarity with social media tools as well as digital video and audio editing software and TV and radio studio equipment use would all be assets.