Communications and Social Media Specialist – NREC

Carnegie Mellon University•Pittsburgh, PA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Communications and Social Media Specialist supports the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) with internal communications, social media, website content, branding, and outreach. The role is part of the business development team and reports to the Associate Director. It helps advance NREC’s brand and recognition as a world leader in robotics, working with robotics professionals and communications and marketing staff at the university and School of Computer Science. The specialist creates and publishes content for social media, news stories, press releases, newsletters, and other communications; updates website and outreach materials; and produces graphics and multimedia. The position also supports recruiting, events, trade shows, facility tours, and group visits. It includes gathering photos and videos during field tests and special events, including some events that may occur in the evenings or on weekends or require travel. The role uses AI and communications tools to improve efficiency and measure the effectiveness of operations, and may support projects involving military or defense applications or sponsors.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree, or an associate degree with equivalent experience.
1–3 years of marketing or outreach experience.
1–3 years of social media experience.
Excellent writing, communication, and teamwork skills.
Experience using AI tools to generate content and graphics.
Experience with prevalent graphics software such as Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, or Illustrator.
Demonstrated ability to help promote an organization’s brand.
Experience with photographic equipment and the ability to take high-quality photos and videos.
Ability to lead, coordinate, and execute outreach projects and newsletter campaigns from start to finish.
Successful pre-employment background check.
Must be legally authorized to work for Carnegie Mellon University in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available. The position may require support for projects involving military or defense applications or sponsors.
May need to take photos or videos at special events or field tests; these may occur during evenings or weekends or require travel.

Nice To Haves

A track record of significantly increasing social media followers and/or traffic.
Experience in robotics, high technology, and/or an R&D environment.

Responsibilities

Generate and regularly post content on NREC’s social media pages.
Develop news stories and press releases from internal and external sources, including text and photographs.
Support management with internal communications, including quarterly newsletters and official announcements.
Update website content, including news stories, videos, graphics, project pages, and job postings.
Support recruiting with branding, marketing materials, social media, and job postings.
Use AI tools to improve work efficiency.
Accompany technical teams to field tests, collect photos and videos, and create multimedia for test reports and presentations.
Interact with communications and marketing personnel at the university and School of Computer Science.
Lead and organize NREC’s participation in trade shows, usually once or twice a year.
Host visitors and give tours of NREC facilities when needed.
Lead event communications and support event planning.
Support large group visits with the business development team.
Use communications tools to collect metrics and data on operational effectiveness.
Develop ideas to improve NREC’s image, presence, and branding.
Create graphics for posters, flyers, banners, proposals, and other printed materials.
Maintain visitor-facing outreach materials, including posters, banners, monitors, displays, and videos.
Design materials for NREC staff, such as T-shirts and coffee mugs, and manage these projects from start to finish.
Perform other duties as assigned.