This competition is open to all applicants however; internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.

This position has a term length of one year plus one day from the start date.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work primarily takes place at Enterprise Square, Edmonton.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Manager, Digital Strategy, the Digital Strategy Specialist (Email) will be required to oversee all aspects of email marketing campaigns, including market research, content creation, and the dissemination of copy. You will also be required to collaborate with coworkers across colleges, faculties and other departments from across the university to ensure maximum uptake of offerings.

You will develop, implement, and manage email marketing, communications, and online projects that support the University of Alberta’s strategic goals and reinforce the university brand.

You will lead decisions and takes action to optimize email and other online marketing campaigns for External Relations Marketing as well as other University groups. Through the use of audience research, web analytics, and content analysis, you analyze and implement new ideas for building email engagement. You will also analyze marketing data and metrics to develop engaging campaigns and strategies to drive web traffic.

In this position, you will be responsible for developing the layouts and landing pages, and amassing an email list. You must also measure the success of your campaigns with tools like Google Analytics and email analytics tools.

The Vice-President - External Relations leads the University of Alberta’s efforts to enhance and protect its reputation locally, nationally, and globally. This role oversees the development and execution of strategic initiatives that shape how internal and external audiences perceive the university.

With a focus on communication, engagement, and relationship-building, the Vice-President provides leadership for Communications and Marketing, Alumni Relations, Advancement, and Government and Community Relations. These teams collaborate to support the university’s brand, foster donor and alumni engagement, and establish strong connections with public and community partners.

Through these coordinated efforts, the Vice-President - External Relations ensures the university’s image, influence, and impact are advanced in alignment with its mission, values, and long-term goals.

Development, Strategy, and Planning

• Develop and oversee email marketing strategy based on user needs, best practices, stakeholder objectives, U of A business goals, and governmental guidelines (CASL, POPA).
• Implement sound decisions around email content requirements, scheduling, and priorities, ensuring that strategies adhere to legislation and industry best practices.
• Maintain, compile and purge email lists.
• Implement the email copy provided by the External Relations Marketing groups.
• Research and assess best practices in email communication techniques from non-profit, university, and media websites to develop knowledge and improve the execution of External Relations email campaigns.
• Creatively look for opportunities to improve user experiences through data-driven assessment of current digital communications and by testing new ideas.

Project Management

• Inventory existing content, identify gaps, and assess the requirements for ensuring a rich, interactive online experience that connects with U of A email campaigns.
• Build strong relationships with university fundraising and communications staff that lead to increased collaboration, consistent messaging, and a common look and feel across our email marketing campaigns.
• Support and guide subject-matter experts and communicators with varying levels of web expertise on telling compelling stories online, developing the digital execution for email content that aligns with strategic goals and best practices, and providing ideas on how to have email and digital properties work together to enhance the university’s reputation.
• Work with colleagues within the group on web analytics, reports, design requirements, information architecture, metadata, accessibility, SEO, creative direction, and user interface design from the perspective of an email marketer.

Research and Analysis

• Oversee tracking and analysis of digital usage and recommend ways to improve the usability and interaction with email marketing initiatives.
• Report on findings and help refine the strategy to improve the performance of digital communications and online giving.

Mentoring, and Management

• Provide direction and advice to email marketers and assist with the implementation of email marketing campaigns.

• Provide knowledge feedback on the design, function, and implementation of email templates.

• Must have a certificate in Digital Marketing, SEO development or similar areas.

• A Bachelor's Degree in Marketing, Communications, Business or Humanities Computing is an asset.

• Must have three to five years of experience in email marketing, email strategic planning, execution, and campaign success measurement. An equivalent combination of experience and education will be considered.

• Must have significant experience using email databases and CRMs. It would be nice to have experience using database APIs for the purpose of accessing, pulling, and creating email lists.

• Experience with Google Analytics in the context of measuring the success of email campaigns would be an asset.

This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more.

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.