📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Senior Specialist, Social Media Strategy
🔹 Company: University of Ottawa
🔹 Location: Ottawa, ON, Canada
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Digital Marketing
🔹 Date Posted: June 12, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 5-10 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with hybrid flexibility
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Overseeing the University's social media accounts and enhancing its reputation
- Monitoring public issues and managing crises to protect the University's image
- Creating engaging content and implementing strategic digital communication campaigns
- Collaborating with faculties and services to achieve University objectives
- Analyzing performance and improving strategies based on data-driven insights
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, creativity, and adaptability to manage social media accounts effectively and protect the University's reputation.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Monitoring and managing public issues to mitigate risks to the University's reputation
✅ Providing expert advice and best practices to faculties and services for their social media accounts
✅ Developing and implementing innovative digital communication strategies and marketing campaigns
✅ Serving as the main contact person for clients, particularly Communications and Government Relations
✅ Designing and executing the University's social media strategy, including content creation and production
✅ Managing social media communities, monitoring comments, and answering user questions
✅ Analyzing content performance, assessing social media indicators, and producing monthly reports
✅ Developing and implementing internal guidelines, procedures, and processes for digital communication
✅ Archiving information and drafting internal documents about social media content processes
ASSUMPTION: This role requires strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in communication, public relations, marketing, or a related field
Experience: Five years of experience in monitoring and managing public issues, and implementing and evaluating social media strategies
Required Skills:
- Bilingualism (essential, with advanced second official language skills)
- Crisis management expertise
- Strategic planning and community engagement skills
- Platform mastery and data-driven insights
- Content oversight and cross-functional collaboration
- Proactive problem-solving and project management skills
Preferred Skills:
- Web and accessibility knowledge
- Leadership and influence
- Creative campaign development
- Cultural sensitivity and diplomacy
- Efficiency under pressure
ASSUMPTION: Candidates with experience in higher education or a related field may have an advantage in understanding the University's unique context and requirements.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: CAD $90,987 - $114,932 per year (based on the provided salary grade and range)
Benefits:
- Defined Benefit Pension Plan
- Group Insurance Coverage
- Employee and Family Assistance Program
Working Hours: 35 hours per week, with flexible hybrid work arrangement
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is based on the University's salary grade system and may vary depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: The University of Ottawa is a public research university located in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. It is the largest bilingual (English-French) university in the world.
Company Size: The University of Ottawa has over 5,000 employees, making it a large organization with diverse opportunities for growth and collaboration.
Founded: The University of Ottawa was founded in 1848 and is one of Canada's oldest universities.
Company Description:
- The University of Ottawa is committed to excellence in research, teaching, and learning, and to providing a positive and inclusive work environment.
- The University offers a wide range of programs and services, including undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, as well as research and community outreach initiatives.
- The University is dedicated to fostering a culture of respect, teamwork, and inclusion, where collaboration, innovation, and creativity fuel its quest for research and teaching excellence.
Company Specialties:
- Research and teaching excellence
- Community engagement and outreach
- Student services and support
Company Website: https://www.uottawa.ca/
ASSUMPTION: The University of Ottawa's large size and diverse range of programs and services offer applicants numerous opportunities for career growth and development.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior specialist level, requiring a high degree of expertise and independence in managing social media accounts and protecting the University's reputation.
Reporting Structure: The Senior Specialist, Social Media Strategy reports directly to the Manager, Content Marketing and works closely with the Office of Communications and Government Relations.
Work Arrangement: This role offers a hybrid work arrangement, with a combination of on-site and remote work.
Growth Opportunities:
- Progression to a management role within the Communications and Public Affairs department or related areas
- Expanding expertise and taking on additional responsibilities within the social media strategy and management field
- Contributing to the University's strategic objectives and making a significant impact on its reputation and brand
ASSUMPTION: This role offers numerous opportunities for professional growth and development within the University's Communications and Public Affairs department and related areas.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: The University of Ottawa's main campus is located in the heart of Ottawa, with a mix of historic and modern buildings.
Office Location(s): The main campus is located at 550 Cumberland St, Ottawa, Ontario K1N 6N5, Canada, with additional facilities and satellite offices throughout the city.
Geographic Context:
- Ottawa is the capital of Canada and is bilingual, with a mix of English and French speakers
- The city offers a high quality of life, with numerous cultural attractions, outdoor activities, and a vibrant food scene
- Ottawa has a humid continental climate, with warm summers and cold, snowy winters
Work Schedule: The work schedule is typically Monday to Friday, with some flexibility for hybrid work arrangements.
ASSUMPTION: The University of Ottawa's main campus offers a dynamic and engaging work environment, with a mix of historic and modern facilities and a central location in Ottawa.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission through the University's careers website
- Phone or video screening with the hiring manager or a member of the HR team
- In-depth interview with the hiring manager and other relevant stakeholders
- Background check and reference check (if required)
- Job offer and onboarding
Key Assessment Areas:
- Candidates' strategic thinking and problem-solving skills in managing social media accounts and crises
- Candidates' ability to create engaging content and implement effective digital communication campaigns
- Candidates' cultural fit with the University's values and work environment
- Candidates' ability to work collaboratively with faculties, services, and other stakeholders
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Provide specific examples of your experience in managing social media accounts, creating engaging content, and implementing strategic digital communication campaigns
- Demonstrate your understanding of the University of Ottawa's unique context and requirements
- Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview to showcase your interest in the role and the University
ATS Keywords: Social Media Strategy, Crisis Management, Strategic Planning, Community Engagement, Data Analysis, Content Creation, Client Relations, Performance Analysis, Policy Development, Project Management, Bilingual Communication, Creative Campaign Development, Cultural Sensitivity, Proactive Problem-Solving, Web Accessibility Knowledge, Cross-Functional Collaboration
ASSUMPTION: The University of Ottawa's hiring process is designed to assess candidates' skills, experience, and cultural fit with the organization, with a focus on finding the best fit for the role and the University.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Social media management platforms (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer, Sprout Social)
- Performance analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, social listening platforms)
- Content creation and design tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva)
- Project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello)
ASSUMPTION: The University of Ottawa provides the necessary tools and technologies for employees to perform their jobs effectively and efficiently.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Excellence in research, teaching, and learning
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Inclusion and diversity
- Accountability and integrity
Work Style:
- Dynamic and fast-paced, with a focus on innovation and creativity
- Collaborative and team-oriented, with a strong emphasis on communication and coordination
- Results-driven and focused on achieving the University's strategic objectives
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with the University of Ottawa's commitment to excellence in research, teaching, and learning?
- How do you approach collaboration and teamwork in a dynamic, fast-paced environment?
- How do you ensure that your work style contributes to the University's overall success and reputation?
ASSUMPTION: The University of Ottawa values candidates who demonstrate a strong commitment to its mission, vision, and values, as well as a willingness to collaborate and contribute to its success.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing public issues and crises in real-time, often under tight deadlines
- Balancing multiple priorities and competing demands from various faculties, services, and stakeholders
- Keeping up with the rapidly evolving social media landscape and emerging trends
- Working in a bilingual environment, with a need for strong communication skills in both English and French
ASSUMPTION: The Senior Specialist, Social Media Strategy role requires strong organizational skills, adaptability, and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is unique in its focus on managing the University of Ottawa's social media accounts and protecting its reputation, with a strong emphasis on strategic planning and community engagement
- Similar roles in other organizations may have a broader focus on marketing and communications, with less emphasis on crisis management and public issue oversight
- Career progression in this role may involve moving into a management position within the Communications and Public Affairs department or related areas, with opportunities for further growth and development within the University
ASSUMPTION: The Senior Specialist, Social Media Strategy role offers a unique opportunity to specialize in managing social media accounts and protecting the University's reputation, with numerous opportunities for career growth and development within the University.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive social media strategy to enhance the University's brand and reputation
- Managing a social media crisis, such as a negative news story or public issue, to mitigate potential damage to the University's image
- Creating engaging content and executing a digital communication campaign to promote a University-wide initiative or event
ASSUMPTION: The Senior Specialist, Social Media Strategy role offers a wide range of projects and initiatives to showcase candidates' skills, experience, and creativity in managing social media accounts and protecting the University's reputation.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- How does this role fit into the University's overall communications and public affairs strategy?
- What are the main priorities for this role in the first 90 days?
- How does the University support the professional development and growth of its employees?
- What are the key challenges facing the University's social media presence, and how can this role address them?
- How does the University measure the success of its social media strategy, and how can this role contribute to improving those metrics?
ASSUMPTION: The Senior Specialist, Social Media Strategy role offers numerous opportunities for candidates to ask thoughtful questions and demonstrate their interest in the role and the University.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the University of Ottawa's careers website
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and skills for this role
- Prepare for your interview by researching the University of Ottawa's mission, values, and strategic objectives
- Prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the interview to showcase your interest in the role and the University
- Follow up with the hiring manager or HR representative within one week of your interview to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
