Strategic Communications Specialist - Strategic Marketing and Communications

Hiring Department

University of Missouri - Kansas City
Strategic Marketing and Communications

UMKC is seeking a dynamic, creative, collaborative strategic communications specialist with broad experience in media relations and digital content strategy and creation to tell the story of UMKC’s stellar programs in Dentistry, Medicine, Pharmacy and Nursing and Health Studies. This position is based on the UMKC Health Sciences Campus.

Job Description

This role will write content across earned and owned media for internal and external audiences and create content for the university’s website, digital newsletters and social media channels. Strong organizational skills and experience in meeting deadlines are musts. This position reports to the associate director of strategic communications for the UMKC Health Sciences Campus within the Division of Strategic Marketing and Communications.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute high-quality content across multiple formats.
• Handle a variety of projects, effectively prioritizing short-term needs while continuing to make progress on long-term goals.
• Demonstrate strong news judgment and writing skills.
• Build and maintain relationships with key campus and public constituents, including academic units, campus leadership, and local, regional, state and national media, to enhance public visibility.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

A bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 2 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism or Communications or equivalent direct experience required.
• Experience in health-care communications and digital content strategy.
• Three to five years of experience in journalism and/or public relations and digital communications.
• Strong news judgment, and excellent storytelling and organizational skills.
• Sound knowledge of editorial and journalistic principles and respect for deadlines.
• Availability to respond to occasional after-hours situations on short notice.
• Technical knowledge of major social media platforms.
• Familiarity with using Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn in a professional setting.
• Superior interpersonal, written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with administration, faculty, staff, students, alumni, benefactors, media and other key constituents.
• Ability to exercise reasonable judgment, often under intense deadline pressure.
• Proven track record of producing high-quality digital media content.
• Creative problem-solving ability.
• Ability to proactively identify communications opportunities and develop supporting content.

Anticipated Hiring Range

The anticipated hiring range for this position has been established as $53,976.00 - $59,368.00 annually.

Application Materials

For best consideration please submit a cover letter with your resume and application materials.

Application Deadline

Job posting will remain open until filled. For best consideration apply by June 23, 2026.