Communications Specialist - Bursky Public Health

Washington University in St Louis • Duncan, OK

2d • $53,100 - $90,600 • Onsite

About The Position

The Communications Specialist develops, coordinates, and maintains clear, compelling, and consistent content across the School of Public Health’s digital and internal communications channels. The role manages day-to-day content production for the school’s website, social media channels, internal newsletter, and other communications platforms. Working with faculty, staff, students, leadership, and communications colleagues, the specialist translates school priorities, activities, and accomplishments into engaging content for key audiences.

The position collaborates with the communications team on editorial planning and content development to ensure communications are timely, accurate, accessible, aligned with the school’s brand and voice, and responsive to the school community. It requires strong writing and editing, organization, editorial judgment, strategic thinking, knowledge of SEO and analytics, and the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced academic environment.

The specialist supports the School of Public Health’s website and other digital platforms, recurring newsletters and communications, editorial workflows, content performance reporting, and communications initiatives such as campaigns, events, and publications. The role is located in St. Louis, Missouri, and has scheduled hours of 37.5 per week.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 3 years of relevant experience.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Strong organizational abilities and sound editorial judgment.
• Strategic thinking skills and an understanding of SEO and analytics.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced academic environment.

Nice To Haves

• Experience developing and managing content across multiple communications channels, including websites, email newsletters, and other digital platforms.
• Experience in higher education, healthcare, public health, research, or another complex organizational environment.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging content for varied audiences.
• Experience with content management systems, email marketing platforms, social media management tools, web analytics, and digital content production.
• Master’s degree.
• Five years of progressively responsible experience in marketing communications.
• Skills or experience in Adobe Photoshop, Canva, content editing, copy editing, detail orientation, digital content creation, digital marketing, editing processes, editorial judgment, Figma, graphic layouts, interpersonal relationships, meeting deadlines, Microsoft Office, oral communications, organizational management, proofreading, relationship building, service orientation, storytelling, strategic thinking, visual aesthetics, web analytics tools, working independently, and written communication.

Responsibilities

• Collect, create, edit, and publish content for the School of Public Health website and other digital platforms.
• Maintain accurate and current website information about news, events, faculty and staff, research, education, student and community activities, leadership communications, and other school priorities.
• Develop and maintain workflows and editorial processes for timely, accurate, accessible, high-quality content.
• Monitor website content for accuracy, consistency, broken links, outdated information, and improvement opportunities.
• Collaborate with web and communications colleagues on the ongoing evolution of the school’s digital presence.
• Develop and maintain an editorial calendar coordinating content across communications channels.
• Identify opportunities to amplify school priorities, accomplishments, research, events, partnerships, and other activities.
• Gather information from faculty, staff, and leadership; develop story ideas with communications colleagues; select appropriate channels; and manage content from concept through publication.
• Balance planned content with timely and emerging communications needs.
• Manage day-to-day production and distribution of the school’s newsletters and other recurring communications, including collecting and editing submissions, coordinating approvals, maintaining production schedules, and ensuring timely distribution.
• Develop and maintain processes for recurring announcements, internal updates, event communications, and other routine communications.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for faculty and staff submitting content for school communications.
• Ensure communications are clear, accurate, accessible, consistent with the school’s voice and brand, and appropriate for their audiences.
• Support development and refinement of templates, editorial standards, and content guidelines.
• Monitor website, newsletter, and other digital content performance using analytics and reporting tools; prepare periodic reports and recommendations to inform planning and improve engagement.
• Stay current on trends and practices in digital content, social media, email communications, accessibility, SEO, and higher education communications.
• Support communications projects and initiatives, including special campaigns, events, publications, and other priorities.

Benefits

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays or coinsurance.
• Free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• Eligible employees may participate in a defined contribution 403(b) Retirement Savings Plan, with employee and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, an employee assistance program, financial resources, and access to dietitians.
• Four weeks of caregiver leave to bond with a new child and family care resources, including childcare and adult care resources.
• Tuition coverage for the employee and family, including dependent undergraduate tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years of employment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level