Communications Manager

Details • Blacksburg, VA

13h

About The Position

Reporting to the Head of the Department of Engineering Education and the Director of Communications and Marketing for the College of Engineering, the Communications Manager will plan, execute, and evaluate a variety of communications initiatives, projects, and platforms on behalf of the department that strategically align with the broader advancement goals of the college and university. The manager will develop an annual work plan in consultation with the two supervisors and is evaluated on the success of that plan. The Department of Engineering Education (http://www.enge.vt.edu) is home to an internationally recognized PhD program in engineering education, along with an outstanding first-year program and a growing suite of interdisciplinary undergraduate programs. The department employs 29 full-time faculty including tenured or tenure-track professors, professors of practice, collegiate faculty, and instructors, along with 20 A/P faculty and staff. It serves over 50 PhD students annually, along with nearly 3000 undergraduates. EngE faculty collaborate nationally and internationally to conduct cutting-edge research in engineering education in four broad areas: teaching and learning, organizations and systems, ethics and social responsibility, and student success and workforce development (https://enge.vt.edu/researchfacilties.html). Our faculty hold degrees in diverse fields, including engineering education, higher education, educational psychology, and linguistics, as well as a range of STEM disciplines. The Communications Manager must have a strong background in digital communications strategies, basic graphic design, writing and editing, as well as demonstrated experience in other communications skillsets. These skillsets may include working with subject matter experts to identify and develop stories about the department's research, writing for a variety of platforms and occasions, social media management, website development and maintenance, videography and photography and/or media relations. The Manager should also be able to navigate multiple and competing priorities in a dynamic environment. Specific work responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, serving as producer and editor of newsletters and stories that highlight department research and other activities suitable for various audiences; participating in graduate student and faculty recruitment activities; directing, executing, and evaluating the department's social media and website strategy; overseeing other digital and print forms of communication (including photography and videography); and participating in (and supporting the planning of) related departmental and college events and activities. Working within the advancement model, this individual's efforts must be strategically aligned to support the goals and priorities of the department, college, and broader university. The Communications Manager must follow established brand guidelines, university policies and procedures, and accessibility standards.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.
• Strong written communication skills, including editing and copywriting.
• Experience interviewing and eliciting information from subject matter experts to support strategic organizational communication.
• Experience working with communication platforms in a professional setting.
• Strong organizational/interpersonal skills, creativity, flexibility, self-motivation, and the ability to thrive in a team setting.
• Experience meeting deadlines and navigating multiple projects simultaneously.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field with appropriate experience.
• Familiarity with digital content strategy and management, including content management systems and other web platforms as well as professional/organizational social media management.
• Ability to work effectively with all university and external constituents.
• Experience with developing promotional materials.
• Experience with visual communication mediums, such as photography, videography, and/or graphic design.
• Ability to work occasional evening or weekend events and to travel occasionally.
• Experience in a higher education, independent school, or non-profit environment.

Responsibilities

• serving as producer and editor of newsletters and stories that highlight department research and other activities suitable for various audiences
• participating in graduate student and faculty recruitment activities
• directing, executing, and evaluating the department's social media and website strategy
• overseeing other digital and print forms of communication (including photography and videography)
• participating in (and supporting the planning of) related departmental and college events and activities

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees