Communications Strategist

Job Summary

The holder of this position will work closely and integrate with AU's Communications and Marketing to maintain a positive public image, promote college programs, and publicize student and faculty achievements in alignment with university standards. The communications strategist will be responsible for producing and designing content for the college's internal (student) and external (alumni, friends, and business community) newsletters, to include formatting for digital publication via email and on the website, and the college's Annual Report (digital and print).

Responsibilities

The duties include, but are not limited to:

• EVENT MANAGEMENT: Provide assistance in planning, organizing, and carrying out all college events throughout the year. Generate content to advertise and market events and provide appropriate post-event coverage to appropriate constituencies.
• NEWSLETTERS & ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS: Utilize templates provided and/or endorsed by DCM to create, design, and produce print and digital issues of the college's newsletters and annual report by aggregating content from a variety of sources and creating content as needed. Utilize tools provided and/or endorsed by DCM (Poppulo, Emma/Marigold, listservs, etc.) to electronically distribute newsletters and other forms of communication or engagement (surveys, invitations/mailings, document repositories, calendar events, etc.). Meet content deadlines based on production schedules from dean's office
• COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING STRATEGY AND PLANNING: Maintain situational awareness of the college's priorities by attending college and departmental meetings and events, both on one's own initiative and as directed by the dean and his leadership team. Exercise professional judgment in planning strategies to effectively develop and carry out communications and marketing initiatives to promote the college's programs, student and faculty achievements, etc., to internal and external constituencies. Present those strategies to the dean and to members of the dean's leadership team.
• CONTENT DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT: Serve as the primary point of contact/interface with the college's subject matter experts to capture/draft and produce/edit information to be delivered through various communications outlets (e.g., college and university website(s), Jagwire, college newsletters, college webpages, social media, etc.).Schedule, coordinate, and implement communication and marketing meetings as needed. Create, coordinate, and select photography and videography for print and electronic communications. Maintain effective working relationships with DCM communications specialists, editors, graphic designers, photographers, videographers, etc. Identify, documents (record and/or write), and disseminate internal blurbs, stories, videos, and/or news items as they pertain to the unit and notify DCM for consideration of broader dissemination (e.g., publication in JJagwire, media releases, etc.). Capture, produce, and maintain a growing library of digital content, testimonials (images, videos, quotations), and written content which vividly conveys the experiences, people, achievements, and initiatives of the college and its programs to support a variety of marketing, promotional, and informational needs.
• WEBSITE MANAGEMENT: Conducts routine reviews of website content to ensure it is updated appropriately; Updates content as needed and implements plan outlined in web governance Work with technology staff to ensure ongoing improvement of website, including phased updates and redesigns Utilizes tools provided and/or endorsed by DCM to update content on the web and conducts a regular review for broken links, misspellings, etc.
• SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT: Receives content from subject matter experts Curates content for social channels to meet regular posting standards Utilizes tools provided and/or endorsed by DCM to update content on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.) Actively monitor and update social media participation, taking organization to an active and innovative presence on established and new social media outlets Actively monitor online reputation and make recommendations to enhance said reputation
• OTHER: Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field and a minimum of three years of direct related communications/marketing experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in marketing, public relations, or strategic communications, or related field.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

KNOWLEDGE
Proficient in Microsoft Office and other computer software/databasesKnowledge of general office procedures, databases, operating systems, and spreadsheets in computer software systemsKnowledge of photography/videography/visual and graphic designComfort with learning and using content management systems and familiarity with Google AnalyticsKnowledge and experience in planning and implementing marketing/pr/communications campaigns
SKILLS
Excellent organizational and prioritization skillsDemonstrated creativity and innovationExcellent verbal and written communication skills/storytellingExcellent interpersonal/collaboration skillsBusiness software/computer skills to include proficiency using Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, PremierePro) and Acrobat Pro; proficiency with web editing/publishing tasks; Creativity, branding, visual design sense, understanding UX, print design, familiarity with design software, HTML, CSS (cascading style sheets), typographySuperior customer serviceProject management skills
ABILITIES
Ability to maintain confidentialityAnalytical abilityAbility to work independently and exercise sound judgmentHigh professionalismWork well under pressure and manage deadlinesAbility to organize and coordinate resources and projects in a timely mannerDetailed-orientedProficiency with various social media platforms.
Ability to use the standard tools and software of the trade approved and endorsed by the DCM, while demonstrating a strong understanding of the following policies and resources: Division of Communication and Marketing policies, AU web governance, AU brand guidelines, AU expert database.

Shift/Salary/Benefits

Shift: Days/M-F (Work outside of normal business hours may be required)
Pay Band: B10
Salary: Minimum $52,500/annually - Midpoint: $54,080/annaully
Salary to be commensurate with the qualifications of the selected candidate within the established range (generally minimum midpoint) of the position.
Recruitment Period: Until Filled
Augusta University offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees. Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays. Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program.