Communications Manager

Virginia Tech • Blacksburg, VA

20d • $65,000 - $72,000

About The Position

Reporting to the Head of the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and the Director of Communications and Marketing for the College of Engineering, the ISE Communications Manager will plan, execute, and evaluate a comprehensive communications strategy for the department that aligns with the broader advancement (development, alumni relations, communications) and recruitment goals of the college and university. The manager will develop an annual work plan in consultation with the two supervisors and is evaluated against the success of that plan. The Communications Manager must have a strong background in writing and editing as well as demonstrated experience in several communications skillsets. These skillsets may include writing for a variety of platforms and occasions, social media management, website development and maintenance, videography and photography, enrollment marketing, media relations, and/or graphic design. The manager should also be able to navigate multiple and competing priorities in a dynamic environment. This individual is a member of the college’s communications team and the department head’s leadership team. Specific work responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, producing newsletters, email communications, and stories that highlight department activities; supporting student and faculty recruitment activities; managing department social media accounts, websites, and other digital and print forms of communication; and coordinating visual assets through photography and videography; developing and distributing flyers for departmental seminars and events; maintaining an inventory of department-branded items for internal and external use; and supporting department events where department updates are communicated. 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 work effectively with all university and external constituents, following established brand guidelines, university policies and procedures, and accessibility standards. The Communications Manager must have strong interpersonal skills, creativity, flexibility, self-motivation, and the ability to thrive in a team setting, and they must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends, and travel periodically as needed.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Communications (or a related field) or a Bachelor’s degree in communications (or related field) with equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated work history of effective written communication, including editing and copywriting.
• Experience with developing promotional materials.
• Experience working with multiple communication platforms in a professional setting, including managing social media.
• Demonstrated work history of managing complex, multiple priorities with deadlines, requiring organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Communications (or related field).
• Experience with digital content strategy and management, including content management systems and other web platforms.
• Experience with visual communication mediums, such as photography, videography, and/or graphic design.
• Experience in higher education or non-profit environment.

Responsibilities

• Producing newsletters, email communications, and stories that highlight department activities
• Supporting student and faculty recruitment activities
• Managing department social media accounts, websites, and other digital and print forms of communication
• Coordinating visual assets through photography and videography
• Developing and distributing flyers for departmental seminars and events
• Maintaining an inventory of department-branded items for internal and external use
• Supporting department events where department updates are communicated

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees