Director-Research Communications

Job Details

Job Title: Director-Research Communications

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full/Part Time: Full-Time

Job ID: 286341

About Us

Overview
Georgia Tech prides itself on its technological resources, collaborations, high-quality student body, and its commitment to building an outstanding and diverse community of learning, discovery, and creation. We strongly encourage applicants whose values align with our institutional values, as outlined in our Strategic Plan. These values include academic excellence, diversity of thought and experience, inquiry and innovation, collaboration and community, and ethical behavior and stewardship. Georgia Tech has policies to promote a healthy work-life balance and is aware that attracting faculty may require meeting the needs of two careers.

About Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech is a top-ranked public research university situated in the heart of Atlanta, a diverse and vibrant city with numerous economic and cultural strengths. The Institute serves more than 45,000 students through top-ranked undergraduate, graduate, and executive programs in engineering, computing, science, business, design, and liberal arts. Georgia Tech's faculty attracted more than $1.4 billion in research awards this past year in fields ranging from biomedical technology to artificial intelligence, energy, sustainability, semiconductors, neuroscience, and national security. Georgia Tech ranks among the nation's top 20 universities for research and development spending and No. 1 among institutions without a medical school.

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values
Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do:
1. Students are our top priority.
2. We strive for excellence.
3. We thrive on diversity.
4. We celebrate collaboration.
5. We champion innovation.
6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
8. We act ethically.
9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Job Summary

Drive strategic alignment to Georgia Tech's strategic plan and mission to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition within the Research Communications enterprise. Collaborate with senior leaders to develop content for the research enterprise. Develop and contribute to the writing and editing of scientific and technical research content for various communication channels and for external audiences such as the media.

This position will interact on a regular basis with: Institute Communications senior leadership, EVPR, GTRI leadership and faculty, staff, students, and external industry partners and affiliates.

This position typically will advise and counsel: EVPR, GTRI leadership and communicators, Institute Communications department unit and staff

This position will supervise: Assigned staff.

Responsibilities

Job Duty 1 -
Direct and implement research news and outreach strategies to support the Institute's strategic plan as well as the new research strategy.

Job Duty 2 -
Create, edit, and promote highly technical research news content in accordance with the Institute's mission to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition.

Job Duty 3 -
Serve as strategic partner for research leaders and campus communicators to develop and implement thought leadership strategy. Build and maintain relationships with research communicators across campus, including GTRI.

Job Duty 4 -
Manage and track research content for print, digital, social media, and video channels, as well as promotional materials for Town Halls, presentations, and panel discussions.

Job Duty 5 -
Participate in meetings with Institute executives, senior leaders, and communicators.

Job Duty 6 -
Organize and supervise activities of the research writing and editing staff.

Job Duty 7 -
Support production of annual research report and other research communication activities including GTRI.

Job Duty 9 -
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Journalism or Mass Communications, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Experience
Six to eight years of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Educational Qualifications
Master's Degree in Journalism or Mass Communications.

Preferred Experience
Eight years or more of relevant experience

Preferred Qualifications
- 10-12 years of professional experience
- 5-7 years managing team of communicators, public relations, and writing/editing professionals
- Master's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public affairs preferred
- Accredited in Public Relations (APR) preferred but not required
- Experience in crisis communications
- Experience in media relations; managing media relations program as well as pitching stories, writing press releases/statements
- Research and technical writing and editing skills
- Content and editorial planning
- Website management and development oversight

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

SKILLS
This job requires strong scientific writing and editing skills and ability to translate complex technical content for non-specialists and lay readers. The ability to work with research scientists and engineers and ability to bring together project teams for complex tasks; ability to understand of commercialization of research and other aspects of innovation and economic development. Additional required skills include ability to meet deadlines and excellent verbal skills with all levels of staff, faculty, and leadership.