Communications Manager

Job Description

The NSF Center for Community Empowering Pandemic Prediction and Prevention from Atoms to Societies (COMPASS Center) at Virginia Tech has an aspirational vision: a world where we can accurately foresee pandemics and minimize their impact. The Center invites applications for a Communications Manager. Reporting to the Director of the COMPASS Center, the Communications Manager will plan, execute, and evaluate a variety of communications initiatives, projects, and platforms on behalf of the center that strategically align with the broader goals of the University. The manager will develop an annual work plan in consultation with the supervisor and in close collaboration with the Project Manager of the COMPASS Center and the Director of Communications and Marketing for the College of Engineering. This plan will include a communications strategy for the closely related Pandemic Prediction and Prevention Destination Area (PPP DA). The candidate will be evaluated on the success of this plan.

The Communications Manager must have a strong background in digital communications strategies, excellent writing and editing skills, and be familiar with basic graphic design. They must also have demonstrated experience in other communications skillsets, including working with subject matter experts to identify and develop stories about the center's research, writing for a variety of platforms and occasions, social media management, website development and maintenance, videography and photography and/or media relations. The manager should also be able to navigate multiple competing priorities in a dynamic environment.

Specific work responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, serving as producer and editor of newsletters and stories that highlight Compass Center and PPP DA research and other activities; participating in Center and DA activities; directing, executing, and evaluating the Center's and DA's social media and website strategy; overseeing other digital and print forms of communication (including photography and videography); and participating in events and activities at the center and DA level, and in some cases, at the department and college level.

This position is intended to offer full remote flexibility; however, this arrangement may be modified or withdrawn at the organization's discretion in response to evolving business needs.

This individual's efforts must be strategically aligned to support the goals and priorities of the COMPASS Center, the PPP DA, and the university. The Communications Manager must follow established brand guidelines, university policies and procedures, and accessibility standards.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.
• Demonstrated ability to produce and edit clear, error-free written content, as evidenced by professional writing samples or prior work experience.
• Experience interviewing and eliciting information from subject matter experts to support strategic organizational communication.
• Experience working with communication platforms in a professional setting.
• Experience meeting deadlines and navigating multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work occasionally in the evening or at a weekend event.
• Ability and willingness to travel occasionally.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.
• Demonstrated organizational/interpersonal skills, creativity, flexibility, self-motivation, and the ability to thrive in a team setting based on prior experience or submitted materials.
• Proven history of work with digital content strategy and management, including content management systems and other web platforms as well as professional/organizational social media management.
• Experience with developing promotional materials.
• Experience with visual communication mediums, such as photography, videography, and/or graphic design.
• Experience in a higher education, independent school, or non-profit environment.