Advertising Summary: Virginia Commonwealth University’s
Division of Student Affairs is seeking a creative, collaborative,
and strategic Communications Specialist to help elevate our
communications and marketing efforts. This position will develop
compelling content and communications that engage students,
faculty, staff, and other university audiences while supporting the
Division’s goals and initiatives.
Unit: Student Affairs (Vice Provost) MBU
Department: DSA Shared Services
Department Summary: The Communications and Marketing
team works collaboratively with all units in the Division of
Student Affairs to share the remarkable programs, initiatives, and
services provided by DSA to help students have the best experience
possible at VCU. Our work includes building and updating websites,
developing and implementing a comprehensive social media strategy,
creating marketing assets for all units including graphic design
and illustration work, taking photos and videos, writing and
sending large scale communications to students, and producing the
DSA Annual Report
Duties & Responsibilities:
The Communications Specialist provides professional communications
services requiring an in-depth knowledge of one or more
communications specialties. This position translates organizational
goals and priorities into strategic communications and media
deliverables that support the Division of Student Affairs (DSA) and
its units.
As a central communications position, this role supports multiple
areas throughout DSA and manages projects from initial concept
through completion. The position has a primary focus on
graphic
design, photography, social media videography, social media account
management, special event support, special projects, and
illustrative work . The Communications Specialist collaborates
with internal clients, senior leadership, communications and
marketing professionals, student employees, and other stakeholders
to develop engaging and effective communications.
The position works under limited supervision and is expected to
make moderately complex decisions independently while referring
unprecedented or highly complex issues to the Director of
Communications and Marketing or other appropriate leadership.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in public relations, communications,
marketing, graphic design, journalism, or a related field and years
of related professional experience, or an equivalent combination of
education, training, and experience.
Meet with internal clients to review project requests, develop
project plans, and see a project through to completion.
Develop social media plan for DSA social media accounts,
implement plan, track analytics and use analytics to inform content
schedule.
Work with Director on special events, attend events as a
representative of team, and ensure events run smoothly.
Work closely and in a developmental manner with student staff
to complete projects and assignments while helping students grow
their communications skills.
Work with Director on all central communications and marketing
priorities such as the annual report, creation of one pagers and
special reports, development of requested materials from the
executive leadership team, and other projects as received and
assigned.
Develop and implement effective communication strategies.
Manage internal communications (social media, blogs, memos,
newsletters etc.)
Draft content for online media or university website.
Organize initiatives and plan events or press
conferences.
Liaise with media and handle requests for interviews,
statements.
Foster new relationships with advocates and senior
leadership.
Collaborate with marketing professionals to produce copy for
advertisements or articles.
Strong verbal, written, organizational, and presentation
skills.
Strong graphic design, visual communication, and editing
skills.
Demonstrated creativity and ability to develop innovative
solutions to communications challenges.
Excellent project management skills and ability to manage
multiple priorities and deadlines.
Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and
quality.
Ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging,
and audience-appropriate communications.
Knowledge of social media platforms, content development,
scheduling, and analytics.
Knowledge of photography, videography, digital media, and
graphic design principles.
Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating
with internal clients and cross-functional teams.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and make moderately complex
decisions independently.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working
relationships with faculty, staff, students, university leadership,
and external partners.
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment
of respect, professionalism, and civility with faculty, staff, and
students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment
to do so as a VCU staff member.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple
projects in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to respond to requests with a professional and positive
demeanor; the desire to create a positive and enthusiastic
environment within DSA.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working within a university, Division of Student
Affairs, higher education, nonprofit, or comparable
organization.
- Experience developing communications and marketing materials
for multiple internal clients or organizational units.
- Experience with graphic design, photography, videography, and
social media content creation.
- Experience managing organizational social media accounts and
using analytics to inform content strategy.
- Experience managing multiple communications projects from
concept through completion.
- Experience working with and/or mentoring student
employees.
- Experience developing reports, annual reports, presentations,
one-pagers, and executive-level communications materials.
Salary Range: $51,000
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
Hours per Week: 40
Restricted Position: No
ORP Eligible: No
Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite
University Job Title: 13221N - Communications Specialist
1
Contact Information:
Contact Name: Shonda
Pulley
Contact Email: spulley2@vcu.edu