Marketing Specialist I, Social Media

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Job Requisition ID:

2026-02723

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Group:

Staff

Job Category:

Marketing

Employment Type:

Permanent

Department:

Advancement and External Relations - Digital Experience

Hiring Range:

$67,688.63 - $84,610.79

Posting Information:
This posting is for an existing vacancy.

The internal posting deadline for this position is September 17, 2026 at 11:59PM.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

This job description has been prepared to support implementation and role clarity. It reflects the intended scope of the role at this stage and may be subject to minor adjustments as the work is operationalized and responsibilities are finalized.

As part of the University Relations Digital Experience team, this role supports the university’s social media presence and audience engagement across key channels. The role develops, creates and schedules compelling, audience-focused content; collaborates with partners across campus to bring stories and priorities to life; and uses insights and performance data to strengthen content, grow engagement and build measurable connections with key audiences.

University of Waterloo is a leading global innovation hub that drives economic and social prosperity for Canada and the world. With more than 41,000 students, we are home to the world’s largest co-op education talent pipeline, to game-changing research and technology, and to an unmatched entrepreneurial culture. Together, these create partnerships and solutions to tackle current and future challenges.

At the university, the Marketing and Communications function is responsible for enhancing and protecting the university’s reputation. The marketing function leads through integrated planning, campaign development and brand stewardship, while establishing governance, standards and tools to ensure consistent, effective marketing across campus.

The Marketing Associate is responsible for contributing to the planning, development, delivery and evaluation of marketing initiatives that support institutional priorities. The role applies marketing knowledge, professional judgment and strong organizational capability to develop content, coordinate campaigns and support audience engagement activities across a variety of channels. Working within established marketing frameworks and standards, the role contributes to effective marketing outcomes through independent management of assigned work and collaboration with stakeholders and marketing colleagues.

Key Accountabilities

Marketing Planning and Delivery

• Develops and delivers marketing initiatives aligned with defined objectives and priorities
• Creates, adapts and coordinates marketing content and materials across channels.
• Implements campaign activities, audience engagement initiatives and promotional efforts within established plans.
• Produces marketing materials and assets such as web content, email campaigns, social media content, presentations, promotional materials, advertising assets and related marketing products.

• Applies audience, channel and brand considerations to support effective delivery.

Marketing Coordination and Implementation

• Contributes to campaign planning and coordinates implementation of marketing activities within established priorities, frameworks and timelines.
• Coordinates marketing activities, timelines, deliverables and approvals for assigned initiatives.
• Identifies implementation challenges and recommends practical solutions to support delivery objectives.
• Works with internal partners to ensure marketing activities are delivered effectively and on schedule.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Collaborates with marketing, communications, creative, digital and research colleagues to support integrated initiatives.
• Provides practical advice and guidance regarding marketing processes, campaign requirements, audience considerations and implementation approaches within established frameworks.
• Builds productive working relationships with clients, partners and project contributors.
• Coordinates stakeholder review and approval processes.
• Communicates project updates, requirements and timelines clearly to stakeholders.
• Assesses and addresses marketing-related issues and stakeholder concerns within established frameworks and delegated authority.

Marketing Performance and Standards

• Supports management and optimization of marketing channels, platforms and campaign activities.
• Applies institutional brand standards, accessibility requirements and marketing guidelines.
• Compiles, analyzes and summarizes campaign performance information, audience engagement data and channel metrics to support evaluation and continuous improvement.
• Identifies trends, opportunities and areas for improvement based on audience, campaign and performance information.
• Contributes recommendations to improve marketing effectiveness, audience engagement and campaign outcomes.

Continuous Improvement and Marketing Practices

• Identifies opportunities to improve marketing processes, tools and delivery approaches.
• Supports implementation of marketing standards, planning tools and governance practices.
• Maintains awareness of marketing trends, technologies and emerging practices.
• Contributes to continuous improvement of marketing services and outcomes.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Undergraduate degree or post-secondary diploma in marketing, communications or a related field.

Experience

• 2–4 years of experience in marketing, communications, audience engagement, digital content, or a related field.
• Experience supporting marketing campaigns, projects, events, or communications activities.
• Experience working with multiple marketing channels, platforms, or technologies. Experience coordinating tasks, timelines, or deliverables across multiple priorities.
• Experience in higher education, the broader public sector, or another complex multi-stakeholder environment is an asset.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Strong content-development, communication and marketing-execution skills.
• Working knowledge of marketing planning, audience engagement, campaign delivery and channel integration practices.
• Ability to independently coordinate and deliver communications activities within established plans, frameworks and timelines.
• Strong organizational and project-coordination skills.
• Ability to compile, analyze and summarize marketing performance information and audience feedback.
• Strong communication, stakeholder-coordination and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to assess marketing issues, recommend practical solutions and implement appropriate actions within defined scope.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining quality, accuracy and service expectations.
• Working knowledge of brand standards, accessibility requirements and marketing best practices.
• Working knowledge of marketing, digital, reporting and collaboration tools.

Equity Statement
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.