Department: Athletics and Recreation 

Job Type: Continuing

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year) 

Campus: Waterloo 

Reports to: Manager, Marketing & Communications

Employee Group: WLUSA 

Application Deadline: September 22, 2024

Requisition ID: 8624 

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict.  Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

Position Summary

The vision of Laurier’s Department of Athletics & Recreation is: Building Leaders & Champions. Regardless of whether you are a varsity athlete or a participant in a recreation program, we believe all Golden Hawks have the potential to be leaders and champions in their pursuits.

As a member of the Marketing & Communications team, the Coordinator, Marketing & Events will serve an important role in growing the Golden Hawks brand, building feelings of belonging and pride.

The Golden Hawks take pride in their role as community leaders and strive to be positive role models for youth in the Kitchener-Waterloo area. The Coordinator, Marketing & Events will plan, lead and oversee many of the outreach activities of the department including building relationships with community groups in Kitchener-Waterloo.

The incumbent will lead the game presentation planning and execution for varsity events, helping to position the Golden Hawks as a welcoming, local entertainment option for the university and broader Kitchener-Waterloo community.

Accountabilities

Community Relations

• Oversee the department's overall community relations efforts.
• Design community relations programs that align with the department's objectives.
• Develop brand elements for community relations programs along with operational plans, program objectives, and key results.
• Seek out new community appearance opportunities such as farmers markets, festivals, etc.
• Lead the ticket donation program including promotion of the program, managing ticket inventory, and coordinating donation of tickets to applicable charities/non-profits.
• Work with Interuniversity Sport colleagues to coordinate participation of coaches and athletes in community relations programs.
• Coordinate a calendar of athlete/mascot appearances and assign staff as needed.
• In collaboration with the Coordinator, Communications & Student Engagement, organize the department’s participation in other on campus partner initiatives such as Orientation Week, Open House and Get Involved Fair.
• Track and report on all community relations efforts by the department including team-led initiatives (ex. Football and Light house adult day program).
• Manage donation requests and ensure they align with the department's community relations focus.
• Serve as the primary point of contact with local charities/non-profits, minor sport organizations, schools and school boards.
• Assist with telling the story of the Golden Hawks community relations efforts by contributing content for LaurierAthletics.com and @WLUAtheltics social media channels.
• Lead the planning and execution of OUA community relations initiatives (ex. Anti-racism awareness week)

Promotion & Outreach

• Responsible for developing and executing an annual promotions calendar with the Manager, Marketing and Communications focusing on fan engagement and attendance growth.
• Build out events and packages in the ticketing system to align with season schedule releases.
• Complete ticket reports for department leadership.
• Support customer service by phone and email and process sales of tickets.
• Develop initiatives to connect with students, faculty, staff, and local community members and grow their affinity for the Golden Hawks.
• Collaborate with marketing and communications colleagues to create compelling content for promotional campaigns.
• Leverage social media platforms, email newsletters, and other channels to reach the university community and beyond.
• Source giveaways and other promotional items while working within a budget.
• Work in collaboration with Coordinator, Communications & Student Engagement in promoting 360 opportunities with Athletics & Recreation (ex. Promoting summer camps to minor sports groups and vice versa.)
• Seek out and build relationships with local minor sports groups, schools and school boards, charities/non-profits etc.
• Meet and exceed annual group ticket sales targets through effective and creative marketing and personal selling.

Game Presentation

• Assist in the planning, coordination, and execution of promotions and theme nights.
• Establish and execute in-game entertainment that creates fun and engaging experiences for all fans at Golden Hawks home games and other fan engagement events.
• Prepare key game presentation documents including PA scripts, production schedules, event set-up schedules, and prize lists.
• In collaboration with Coordinator, Partnerships & Special Events, incorporate sponsorship deliverables into game presentation (ex. Intermissions, half times, game ties etc.)
• Oversee fan experience packages including national anthem, high five alley and intermission mini-games, which include booking, coordination, and execution.
• Execute in-game ceremonies, including coin tosses, puck drops, tip-offs and other fan-facing activations.
• Plan, set up and oversee Kids club activities at select varsity games including all home football games, select hockey and basketball games, and occasionally with other varsity sports.
• Book and coordinate entertainment groups and vendors to execute activations and theme nights.
• Ensure proper communication of event needs and requirements to all internal units, partners, and vendors.
• Note* For future University Stadium Oversee the design and creation of all videoboard elements including motion graphics, headshots, prerecorded video, and sponsorship activations.
• Collect feedback from fans to continuously improve the fan experience.
• Must attend all Football games, most Basketball and Hockey home games and select other varsity events.
• Manage the recruitment, hiring, training and scheduling of key game presentation staff including PA Announcers.

Other

• Manage the recruitment, hiring, training and scheduling of student promotions team including mascot performers, promotions team, Marketing & Outreach Supervisor and Youth Programs Supervisor.
• Assist the Manager of Marketing & Communications and Coordinator, Partnerships & Special Events with annual proof of performance reports for sponsors.
• Track attendance, engagement metrics, and fan feedback to assess the effectiveness of promotional activities.
• Step in for other marketing & communications colleagues where needed to avoid any coverage interruptions, including Coordinator, Web & Technology for webcasts.
• Other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

This Position Reports to: Manager, Marketing & Communications

 Responsibility for other positions:

• Directly supervises the work of approximately 10 part time student staff.
• Marketing, Outreach & Promotions Supervisor (x1)
• Youth Programs Supervisor (x1)
• Mascot Performer (x1-2)
• In-game DJ (x1-2)
• Promotions team (x3-4)

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, sports management, or a related field.
• Minimum 2 years’ experience in a marketing & events role within a sport & entertainment environment including experience in event planning, promotions and/or fan engagement.
• Passionate about sports marketing, particularly within a university sport environment.
• Ability to draw inspiration from multiple sources to generate fresh creative ideas.
• Able to solve problems with limited time, budget and resources.
• Comfort working independently, including strong time management skills.
• Desire to work effectively as part of a positive, team-oriented environment.
• Exceptional ability to work in a networked way, emphasizing collaboration in a complex environment.
• Demonstrated experience giving direction, providing feedback and holding others accountable.
• Optimistic and positive attitude towards problem solving.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interact with multiple stakeholders in a positive and productive manner.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, with the ability to effectively adapt and be flexible.
• Exceptional organizational skills with an ability to manage multiple projects and priorities with deadlines.
• Knowledge of ticketing systems, particularly AudienceView Campus, is considered an asset.
• Knowledge and experience with various marketing & communications tools such as email marketing, content management, social media management etc.
• Knowledge and demonstrated ability with Adobe Creative Suite to produce graphics, videos and print materials.

Hours of Work

This is a full-time, continuing position. The normal hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Flexibility in hours will be required, including evening and/or weekend work due to the majority of varsity events taking place in the evening and on weekends. When possible, the manager will adjust the work schedule so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

Compensation 

Level: E

Rate of Pay: $41.09 to $43.44 per hour with an annual step progression on anniversary date up to $46.96  per hour. 

Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.