Creative Writer

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Job Profile

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Department

Compensation Range

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Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

Job Summary
The UBC Faculty of Medicine is a story rich environment. Every day, inspiring stories are being created by our students, alumni, faculty and staff. The role of Creative Writer will be instrumental in bringing the Faculty's great stories to life and to a broader audience. The position is responsible for creating one voice and verbal system for UBC's diverse communications landscape. The Creative Writer is responsible for crafting persuasive, accessible, compelling and inspirational copy in all forms across all channels, demonstrating the Faculty's impact. In short, they are a creator of content. Their way with words will help UBC and the Faculty of Medicine become known by name around the world and will convey the power of our story and our brand.

Organizational Status
The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities in the world. Since 1915, UBC's entrepreneurial spirit has embraced innovation and challenged the status quo. UBC encourages its students, staff and faculty to challenge convention, lead discovery and explore new ways of learning. At UBC, bold thinking is given a place to develop into ideas that can change the world.

Our Vision: To Transform Health for Everyone

Ranked among the world's top medical schools with the fifth-largest MD enrollment in North America, the UBC Faculty of Medicine is a leader in both the science and the practice of medicine. Across British Columbia, more than 12,000 faculty and staff are training the next generation of doctors and health care professionals, making remarkable discoveries, and helping to create the pathways to better health for our communities at home and around the world.

The Faculty—comprised of approximately 2,200 administrative support, technical/research and management and professional staff, as well approximately 650 full-time academic and over 10,000 clinical faculty members—is composed of 19 academic basic science and/or clinical departments, 3 schools, and 25 research centres and institutes. Together with its University and Health Authority partners, the Faculty delivers innovative programs and conducts research in the areas of health and life sciences. Faculty, staff and trainees are located at university campuses, clinical academic campuses in hospital settings and other regionally based centres across the province.

The UBC Vancouver Campus is located on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) people. The City of Vancouver is located on Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh First Nations territory.

Work Performed

Lead conceptualization and ideation for strategic and tactical Faculty initiatives, including, campaigns and one-off executions.

Research, write and edit content that effectively communicates with the target audience and fulfills project objectives. The writing may include headlines and editorial copy, scripts for videos, institutional overviews and social media copy. Rewriting of other's copy may also be necessary.

Oversees resource development for digital projects, including updating med.ubc.ca, social media channels and partner sites.

Researches and produces written content that aligns with topics and themes defined by the Faculty's content strategy for med.ubc.ca and digital magazine.

Proactively defines and assembles all necessary content assets with digital communications and project leads aligned with UBC's Brand and Marketing guidelines

Develops and maintains a consistent tone of voice aligned to the UBC brand, including the Tone and Voice Guide, Brand Editorial Guide, Indigenous Communications Guide, etc.

Provides strategic communications and marketing consultation from a writing perspective to other Faculty communicators.

Liaise with and oversee contracted/freelance writing support.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Must be able to work independently and exercise extensive judgement and decision making in creating and managing written content. Poor quality work could have a significant impact on the brand equity and reputation of the Faculty and university.

Supervision Received
Works independently, under the general guidance and direction of the Editor-In-Chief of Pathways Magazines.

Supervision Given

May direct the work of internal and external service providers where needed. (e.g., design firms, production companies, freelance writers and designers, etc.).

Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum five years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one's own
- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one's own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

A BA in Creative Writing, Communication Arts or equivalent.
Minimum of five years experience working in journalism, advertising, or digital agency as creative copywriter or equivalent environment.
Proven highly versatile writing skills. Portfolio necessary.
Experience writing about medicine, science or health an asset.

Multilingual capabilities an asset.
Proven experience in development and deployment of communications strategies and programs.
Experienced and fully fluent in using content management systems and related tools.
Thorough knowledge and understanding of digital engagement strategies — how to entertain, inform and provide utility whether on a mobile app or in social media.
Knowledge of best practices in SEO and writing for digital mediums
Clear understanding of great branded storytelling.
Ability to see big-picture opportunities and challenges while managing the finer details.
An innovative thinker who creates the voice of the UBC Faculty of Medicine, brings our stories to life, and has a clear sightline to which ones resonate with our various audiences.