Brock University is located on the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe peoples, many of whom continue to live and work here today. This territory is covered by the Upper Canada Treaties and is within the land protected by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Agreement.
We are one of Canada’s outstanding comprehensive universities, where excellence and innovation thrive! Brock has been recognized as a Top Employer in Hamilton-Niagara for seven consecutive years. We have been ranked #3 as Canada’s Best Employers and top 10 as one of Canada’s Best Employers for Diversity. For 2025, Brock has been proudly recognized as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Company Culture, ranked seventh by Forbes in partnership with Statista. At Brock, you will find a welcoming, inclusive community and an exciting range of meaningful career opportunities.
Ignite new possibilities for your career. Break through at Brock.
Please note: This is a 12-month fixed term contract with benefits.
About the Role:
Reporting to the Associate Vice-President, Alumni & Development, the Marketing and Communications Specialist is responsible for developing clear, compelling donor- and prospect-focused communications that support Brock University’s fundraising goals. focuses on building strong cases for support, crafting effective calls to action, and strengthening donor engagement, with some responsibility for alumni communications. The incumbent writes and designs, fundraising proposals, donor outreach, stewardship and impact materials, and engagement tools and supports fundraising effectiveness by tracking engagement and event participation and using insights to inform future strategies.
The Marketing and Communications Specialist works closely with the Development and Donor Relations team and Brock’s Marketing and Communications team, ensuring all materials align with brand and accessibility standards.
The Marketing and Communications Specialist will:
- Plan, develop and execute integrated marketing and communications strategies that support fundraising priorities, donor cultivation, solicitation and stewardship;
- Contribute to case development by helping articulate funding priorities, value propositions, impact narratives, and compelling reasons to give;
- Develop targeted communication approaches and informed content schedules for donors, prospects, and alumni that align with fundraising objectives and donor engagement strategies;
- Develop detailed work plans, project schedules, financial estimates, resource plans, and reports on an on-going basis;
- Oversee marketing and communication metrics, data, analytics, reporting and provide evidence-based recommendations for future strategic approaches;
- Oversee content for all digital platforms for the department (i.e., web, social media, digital communications, video shoots, etc.);
- Write high-quality, donor-centred content including proposals, letters, emails, impact reports, stewardship materials, donor stories, and fundraising collateral;
- Develop messaging, content, and stories that translates institutional priorities into meaningful donor opportunities and outcomes;
- Provide graphic design, formatting, and visual storytelling support to proposals, reports, templates, and communications, ensuring alignment with Brock’s brand, legislative requirements, and accessibility standards;
- Act as a subject-matter resource within Development and Donor Relations for advancement communications and donor-focused storytelling;
- Advise internal partners on audience segmentation, messaging strategies, communications objectives, and call-to-action clarity;
- Work with colleagues across campus to gather inputs, stories, data, and outcomes needed to build strong cases for philanthropic support;
- Apply data and insights from engagement tracking and communications performance to refine future approaches and strengthen fundraising effectiveness.
Key Skills and Experience:
- Undergraduate Degree in Marketing / Communications/ Public Relations/Journalism;
- Experience in strategic/digital marketing and communications role;
- Excellent understanding of graphic design and proficient in the use of Adobe Creative Suite, WordPress and social media sites with sound knowledge of digital/social media content platforms and video editing tools;
- Familiarity with Web Accessibility standards and designing for inclusive experiences;
- Strong portfolio demonstrating an ability to conceptualize, design and execute strategic, results-driven creative suited to engage audiences across multiple channels and platforms;
- Experience expressing a brand identity across a range of channels and campaigns;
- Demonstrated success in developing effective digital and social media content including daily execution;
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills; excellent copy editing and proofreading skills; storytelling experience;
- Strong project management, brand management, and marketing research skills, and the ability to effectively manage multiple projects from conception to implementation;
- Working knowledge of University software, databases, and CRM-systems (e.g. Workday, BrockDB, Raiser’s Edge, Campaign Monitor, SharePoint);
- Ability to establish positive and productive working relationships with various internal and external partners;
- Strategic planning skills and the ability to conceptualize and propose new initiatives for improving efficiency of current service and/or operation;
- Extremely adaptable, flexible, nimble, and responsive to meet changing demands and conflicting priorities.
Preferred or Asset Skills:
- Experience working in a higher education environment; and
- Fundraising experience.
Salary and Total Rewards:
- Job Grade L, Salary Scale ($67,721-108,353);
- Target Hiring Range: $67,721-$69,500 *
This is a fixed term contract that includes:
- Health & Dental Benefits: Comprehensive extended health, dental, and vision coverage.
- Pension Plan: Enrollment eligibility in the Brock University Pension Plan.
- Vacation: Up to 3 weeks per year, in addition to university holidays.
*The final salary is based on experience, internal equity, and budget considerations within the target hiring range.
We are committed to offering flexible work arrangements where possible as outlined in our Flexible Work Arrangement Policy. As a student-centered organization, all employees are required to work on campus as needed.
Brock University is committed to creating a respectful and equitable workplace. We strive to foster a culture of diversity and inclusion in our work and learning environments. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and actively encourage applications from women, people with disabilities, members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Indigenous Peoples, people who identify as Black, African and/or Caribbean, as racialized and/or as from ethnic and cultural minority groups, and other underrepresented demographic groups at Brock and in the Niagara region. Brock also recognizes intersectionality and the interconnected identities, histories, and experiences of these aforementioned groups.
We are committed to inclusive and barrier-free recruitment, and we accommodate the needs of applicants throughout all stages of the recruitment process, as outlined in our Employment Accommodation Policy and consistent with the requirements of the Ontario Human Rights Code. Please contact [email protected] if you require a disability related accommodation so we can ensure your participation needs are met.
Brock University does not use AI Technology at any stage of the recruitment process.
We appreciate all applications received. Candidates that are selected for an interview will be contacted.
Learn more about Brock University by visiting www.brocku.ca.
