Advertising Summary: Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in
the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s
sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally
recognized for patient care and education. Virginia Commonwealth
University is an equal opportunity employer.
https://vcujobs.com/why-richmond
Unit: School Of Medicine MBU
Department: Dean's Office - Web & Communications
Duties & Responsibilities:
The VCU School of Medicine communications team is seeking an
experienced strategic communicator to lead communications for two
mission critical areas of the school: The Office of Faculty Affairs
and the Office of Research. Reporting to the director for internal
communications as part of our award-winning communications team,
this new position will serve as a trusted partner to faculty and
research leadership to develop and execute communications
strategies that inform, engage and connect key audiences across the
School of Medicine.
With the Office of Faculty Affairs, this role will provide an
essential link between the school and our T&R and clinical
faculty, creating clear, timely and accessible messaging to ensure
our more than 1,110 faculty members are informed about academic
policies and processes, school and university initiatives, key
deadlines, faculty development opportunities, and other
faculty-related priorities, including the T&R faculty
compensation plan.
Additionally, this position will work with the rest of the SOM
communications team to elevate faculty achievements across the
school by proactively seeking, curating and sharing stories of
faculty excellence and honors.
This position will also serve as the primary communicator for the
school’s Office of Research. A complex and extensive research
enterprise that partners across departments, schools and the VCU
Health System, SOM researchers received more than $316iverM in
sponsored programs d-awards in FY25 — more than half of the
university’s overall total. This position will collaborate closely
with the school’s Office of Research to support and elevate the
school’s reputation as a premier destination for innovative
research and interdisciplinary collaboration.
This role will serve as the day-to-day lead for strategic
communications serving internal research teams and sponsored
programs across departments. This position will amplify school
research accomplishments while also creating and executing clear,
timely and actionable messaging regarding research support, funding
deadlines and other relevant updates for investigators and research
staff.
Responsibilities
- Partner with faculty and research leadership to advise on
messaging, timing and channel selection for internal
initiatives
Create clear, concise and timely messaging to T&R and
clinical faculty, research staff and students, tailoring delivery
strategies across communications channels and audiences to ensure
effectiveness
Manage multiple communications priorities and projects
simultaneously (including the school’s T&R faculty compensation
plan), balancing short-term requests with longer-term
communications goals.
Translate complex academic material (e.g., related to faculty,
research, school/university policies and procedures) into clear and
effective content for its respective audiences
Identify and promote faculty/research achievements and honors
for both internal and external stakeholders
Build relationships with the school’s faculty and research
staff to better understand their work and communication
priorities
Collaborate with the school’s communication team to produce
compelling, effective deliverables and creative assets related to
faculty and research communications
Stay informed on local and national trends impacting faculty
and academic/scientific research (emerging policy changes,
community priorities and concerns, etc.) to guide communications
strategy
Develop and execute detailed tactical communications plans for
faculty and research initiatives as identified with school
leadership
Create and maintain a communications calendar for faculty and
research related topics, initiatives, events, key deadlines and
recurring milestones
Evaluate audience engagement across internal channels to
continuously improve message delivery
Communications and marketing professionals will collaborate
closely with VCU Enterprise Marketing and Communications to align
content, storytelling and brand positioning with institutional
priorities and standards.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
- Strong understanding of faculty culture, and academic or
scientific research environments
- At least five (5) years of communications experience,
preferably within higher education, an academic medical center or a
research organization
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, English, journalism, or a
closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education,
professional training and experience
- Exceptional communications and writing skills, with the ability
to write clearly and concisely for a variety of audiences and
channels
- Proven ability to handle confidential or sensitive topics,
anticipating and mitigating potential risk
- Outstanding attention to detail and commitment to
thoroughness
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex academic and
scientific material into clear and actionable messaging
- Strong interpersonal skills and effective verbal communication
skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, with experience
managing multiple collaborative projects while adhering to
deadlines
- Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of
respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty,
staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a
commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master’s degree in communications, journalism, public
relations, higher education administration or a related field.
- More than five years of communications experience (with
progressive responsibilities) directly supporting academic
medicine, scientific research or complex health system
environments
- Experience writing, editing or managing internal
communications specifically for faculty or research audiences and
leadership
- Experience in science writing
- Familiarity with digital communication tools, including email
platforms, Adobe Creative Suite and web content management
systems
- Experience navigating organizational change, crisis
communications or sensitive institutional policy updates
Salary Range: $88,300 - $123,500 (Commensurate with
experience)
Benefits : All full-time university staff are eligible for
VCU’s robust
benefits
package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual
and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning
and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs,
employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities
for career development and advancement, and more.
FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
Restricted Position: No
ORP Eligible: Yes
Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid - (minimum of 1 day in the
office per week with other days each week as needed)
University Job Title: Administrator CM 1 (13911Y) -
Administrator CM 3 (13913Y)
Position will remain open until filled. Applications received by
October 16th will be given priority consideration.