Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide specialist digital services, expertise and advice to senior management and program areas in the effective design, integration and implementation of web and digital media strategies and technologies for communications to the Ontario public, visitors, employees, media and stakeholders.

To lead the digital media and website activities of the Ontario Science Centre in a fast and constantly changing technological and communications environment.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Position is a team lead and a subject matter expert in web/digital media and provides expert advise to senior management, Marketing and Strategic Communications Branch and program area clients on integrated digital media (including web site, graphic design, video, and photography) to advance the business and communications objectives of the Ontario Science Centre in the changing landscape of public opinion, expectations and practice.

2. The position champions the promotion and adoption of modernized digital communications within the Science Centre by achieving culture change and receptivity to the use of digital media in interactions both internally and externally.

3. Position leads junior staff and oversees all phases of designing the Science Centrewebsite which has significant revenue-generating components (school program bookings, facility rentals, camp and recreational activities bookings, membership registration, etc.), including front and back-end development, user testing, vendor procurement, analytics, visual design and content strategy.

4. Researches, develops and leads the conceptualization, creation and implementation of digital channels and products to deliver communications, public education, marketing and promotional strategies for external and internal audiences.


5. Develops short and long-term digital media and marketing strategies for the organization by: assessing marketing requirements to support Ontario Science Centre's strategic priorities; ensuring the corporate branding perspective is maintained in the preparation of strategies and products; proposing digital media and marketing strategies; and identifying opportunities for cost effective promotions.

6. Develops and project manages project objectives, plans, priorities, timelines and budgets for major digital initiatives and assigns responsibilities to team members while providing training and technical direction/guidance, monitoring project quality and progress and identifying and resolving issues.

7. Reviews and provides feedback to content prepared by others for web publishing and assesses the relevance of proposed content in light of content purpose and audience to ensure that quality content uploads for programs, stakeholders, and clients is processed accurately and delivered on time.

8. Facilitates timely technical development, implementation and evaluation of web and digital communications products and channels and acts as subject matter expert on user-centred design, SEO and Google Analytics to ensure strategic communications success.

9. Identifies and recommends to the Director any additional technical resources required, and oversees the procurement of vendor services in compliance with OPS directives

10. Oversees internal governance structure and communications for web and digital media projects, including leading meetings, giving presentations and communicating regularly with key stakeholders to promote the strategic use of digital media within the Ontario Science Centre for employee and stakeholder engagement.

11. Designs, educates and enforces organization-wide internal processes as required – including infrastructure and tools – for the management, maintenance and measurement of digital media, website and other digital communications content over project lifetimes and provides guidance to colleagues and clients on those processes.

12. Ensures web content meets accessibility standards (AODA), adheres to plain language guidelines and follows relevant written style guides by creating and enforcing quality assurance processes in web publishing operations and the management of approvals and change requests.

13. Conducts on-going needs assessments and user research activities to inform user-centred website design and to leverage qualitative and quantitative data and insights to drive digital strategy and build value.

14. Presents regular reports to Communications branch and senior management on digital and creative communications metrics and activities and makes recommendations for future directions.

15. Monitors external and internal interaction on digital channels, anticipates and reacts to issues, and coordinates appropriate technical and editorial safeguards and remedies in collaboration with colleagues and Branch management.

16. Builds and maintains critical relationships and partnerships across the Science Centre and the OPS to ensure the Science Centre's digital and web services align with strategic corporate direction and priorities of other areas and to provide recommendations on digital products, solutions and strategies

17. Initiates and maintains relationships with staff and management in the Information Technology department, facilitating the timely exchange of information and knowledge to support the smooth implementation of digital communications while safeguarding the integrity of Science Centre information technology platforms.

18. Collaborates with IT to research/review technical hardware and software development and upgrade opportunities, identify and develop solutions to technical issues, and coordinate technical support services as required to meet communications objectives.

19. Coordinates/leads research, testing and evaluation of industry developments in digital and web technology used by Communications and obtained by the IT Branch, and recommending equipment/applications acquisitions to senior management.

20. Advises and makes recommendations to management on strategic purchases and training for staff to ensure effective use of equipment for digital media and coordinates such purchases within procurement guidelines and directives.

Staffing and Licensing :

N/A

Knowledge :

Position requires knowledge of:

-communications theory, techniques, practices with specialization in digital media and web content to provide expert advice to Branch and senior management on the design and application of digital media and web strategies in different contexts (promotional, issues management and informational) and for different audiences (internal and external).

current use and trends in digital media (including websites, mobile versions, video, podcasts, social media, online communication, social networks, etc) to ensure that expert advice provided to Branch and senior management is up-to-date, captures the fast-changing digital media environment and can be used to maximize the use of emerging technology and ongoing advancements in the field of communications;

-government/ministry standards, legislation, directives and guidelines applicable to communications to ensure accuracy of advice, compliance and effective team leadership and quality control.

-OPS standards for online design, clear writing and visual identity; and legislation such as the French Language Services Act, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

-website and digital media systems and their design, programming, architecture and application in order to execute and/or direct their creation, implementation and maintenance in pace with fast-moving technological change

-Ontario Science Centre program objectives and business requirements, services, organization and operations to assist clients in defining communications objectives and developing digital strategies

-project management and leadership experience to effectively plan, organize, execute, monitor and evaluate web and digital projects and participate in department and cross department projects and committees

-specialized knowledge of communication production and industry standards for software and hardware to provide effective leadership to the technical team and accurate advice to staff, clients and management.

-creative services procurement and asset management rules and guidelines.

Skills :

Position requires knowledge of:

 communications theory, techniques, practices with specialization in digital media and web content to provide expert advice to Branch and senior management on the design and application of digital media and web strategies in different contexts (promotional, issues management and informational) and for different audiences (internal and external).

current use and trends in digital media (including websites, mobile versions, video, podcasts, social media, online communication, social networks, etc) to ensure that expert advice provided to Branch and senior management is up-to-date, captures the fast-changing digital media environment and can be used to maximize the use of emerging technology and ongoing advancements in the field of communications;
 government/ministry standards, legislation, directives and guidelines applicable to communications to ensure accuracy of advice, compliance and effective team leadership and quality control.

 OPS standards for online design, clear writing and visual identity; and legislation such as the French Language Services Act, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

 website and digital media systems and their design, programming, architecture and application in order to execute and/or direct their creation, implementation and maintenance in pace with fast-moving technological change

 Ontario Science Centre program objectives and business requirements, services, organization and operations to assist clients in defining communications objectives and developing digital strategies

 project management and leadership experience to effectively plan, organize, execute, monitor and evaluate web and digital projects and participate in department and cross department projects and committees

 specialized knowledge of communication production and industry standards for software and hardware to provide effective leadership to the technical team and accurate advice to staff, clients and management.

 creative services procurement and asset management rules and guidelines.

Freedom of Action :

1. Job works with a considerable degree of independence and initiative under the general direction of the Director, Marketing and within the Science Centre and government policies, guidelines, directives and standards related to communication. Job exercises initiative and independent decision-making in providing direct advice to program area management, senior management, staff, and CEO on digital media strategies. Job requires political acuity to exercise appropriate judgment when providing expert advice to senior officials.

2. Job makes independent decisions in initiating discussions, developing procedures and facilitating collaborations within the Science Centre in support of digital change.

3. The position acts as a subject matter expert for website/digital communications expert and technical strategist and decision-making involves:

• identifying client objectives, requirements and target audiences
• recommending strategies to internal/external clients and the team for presenting communication material
• recommending digital strategies and processes to maximize communications effectiveness
• making recommendations on standards, and content uploaded to support strategic goals
• recommending and providing insights and opportunities in the digital landscape
• providing direction and advice into digital communication policies and standards
• recommending improvements to internal procedures to improve effectiveness.

4. Job has autonomy to procure services within OPS rules and guideline; create/assign tasks to colleagues individually and in teams to meet identified and approved digital media strategies and communications objectives; monitor team performance; and make any necessary recommendations to the manager for continuous improvement.

5. Job's expertise and specialization, judgment and political acuity minimizes risks arising from interactions with senior management within and beyond the Science Centre, including risks for providing inaccurate and inappropriate advice leading to embarrassment and reputational damage for the Science Centre and Ministry. Failure to effectively promote business and programs could negatively impact attendance and brand reputation and contribute to reduced revenue for the Science Centre.