Job Details
The Resilient Energy Technology & Infrastructure (RETI) Consortium at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Director of Strategic Communications.
About the Opportunity
West Virginia University seeks a Director of Strategic Communications to ensure that the message, story, and impact of the Resilient Energy Technology and Infrastructure (RETI) Consortium are told clearly, consistently, and compellingly to the audiences that matter most. RETI is a National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine focused on advancing industrial grid resilience and energy efficiency across West Virginia and western Pennsylvania, uniting more than 60 partners and a roughly $175 million federally and privately funded portfolio.
Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer, the Director of Strategic Communications will identify the consortium's primary stakeholders, develop and execute communications strategies tailored to each, and work across RETI's four core verticals — technology, commercialization, workforce, and community engagement — to surface activities, amplify successes, and weave them into a cohesive narrative about RETI's impact. The Director will be the principal storyteller of the consortium, translating complex technical, economic, and community outcomes into clear, memorable messages for federal agencies, state policymakers, industry partners, capital providers, academic collaborators, community members, and the public.
We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:
- 37.5-hour work week
- 13 paid holidays
- 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year
- 18 sick days per year
- WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
- 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match
- Wellness programs
What You'll Do
- Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Identification
- Identify and map RETI's primary stakeholder audiences, including the National Science Foundation, federal and state agencies, congressional offices, industry partners, capital providers, academic collaborators, workforce organizations, community leaders, the press, and the public.
- Develop a comprehensive strategic communications plan that defines messaging priorities, channels, cadence, and engagement tactics for each stakeholder group.
- Storytelling and Cohesive Narrative Development
- Serve as the principal storyteller for RETI, translating complex technical, commercial, workforce, and community work into clear and compelling narratives.
- Cross-Vertical Coordination
- Partner closely with the Chief Technology Officer, Chief Commercialization Officer, Chief Workforce Officer, and community engagement leads to understand activities, milestones, and successes within each vertical.
- Content Development and Channel Management
- Develop and oversee the production of high-quality communications content, including press releases, op-eds, website content, social media, newsletters, impact reports, briefing documents, and multimedia assets.
- Media Relations and Public Affairs
- Develop and maintain relationships with national, regional, and trade press covering energy, advanced manufacturing, innovation, workforce development, and Appalachian economic development.
- Stakeholder Engagement Communications
- Develop tailored communications products for federal, state, industry, academic, and community audiences, including stakeholder newsletters, briefing memos, impact dashboards, and event materials.
- Brand and Editorial Standards
- Work with RETI's existing graphics and media contract to maintain RETI's brand identity, visual standards, and editorial style guide.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, English, public affairs, or a related field.
- A minimum of five (5) years of experience in progressively responsible strategic communications experience, including experience leading communications functions or major communications initiatives.
- Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
- All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic communications plans across diverse stakeholder audiences, including federal, state, industry, academic, and community partners.
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical, scientific, or policy content into clear, compelling narratives for non-specialist audiences.
- Outstanding writing and editing skills across a range of formats, including press releases, executive communications, op-eds, web content, and reports.
- Demonstrated experience managing media relations, including national, regional, and trade press.
- Demonstrated experience managing digital channels, including websites, social media, and email marketing.
- Experience preparing senior executives for media interviews, public speaking engagements, and stakeholder meetings.
- Strong organizational, project management, and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and deadlines simultaneously.
- A demonstrated commitment to accuracy, integrity, and inclusive communications.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in communications, journalism, public affairs, business, or a related field.
- Experience leading communications for an energy, advanced manufacturing, technology, research, higher education, or innovation ecosystem organization.
- Experience communicating about federally funded research initiatives, including familiarity with NSF, DOE, EDA, or similar federal programs.
- Experience developing communications strategies that span multiple thematic areas and translate them into a unified organizational narrative.
- Experience working in or with West Virginia, western Pennsylvania, or central Appalachia, or a demonstrated understanding of communities undergoing industrial transition.
- Experience managing communications staff, agency relationships, and creative vendors.
- Experience producing multimedia content (video, photography, podcasts, infographics) and overseeing creative production.
- Familiarity with content management systems, analytics tools, and communications platforms (e.g., WordPress, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, Sprout Social, Cision).
Valid driver's license. This position is based in Morgantown, West Virginia, on the campus of West Virginia University. The role requires regular travel across West Virginia and western Pennsylvania to engage with consortium partners, industry sites, and community stakeholders, as well as periodic travel to Washington, D.C., and other locations to support media engagements, federal program reviews, and consortium events. Standard professional working conditions apply, with the expectation of occasional extended hours during major announcements, events, and reporting periods.
West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.
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