Communications Specialist

University of Arkansas System•Little Rock, AR

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

This is a dual part-time position (20 hours) with a hybrid office/work-from-home option to satisfy and assist with public relations, media relations and assorted communications needs between two entities – the University of Arkansas System and the Winthrop Rockefeller Distinguished Lectures. The right candidate will ultimately report to the Director of Communications for the UA System, with additional oversight and guidance from the Chair of the WRDL Advisory Board. The dual position will serve as both the executive assistant to the WRDL Advisory Board and a Communications Assistant working closely and being managed by the UA System Director of Communications. Job duties are broken down between the primary roles below, with the right candidate expected to split 20 hours/week managing the fluctuating flow of duties between the two entities.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a communications-related field
Minimum of five (5) years of experience in content creation, design, public relations, journalism, event planning, or related fields.
Ability to adapt to new software and systems quickly
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Ability to organize and prioritize multiple tasks, and handle multiple projects
High attention to detail
Ability to use independent judgment, troubleshoot issues, and adapt to shifting demands
Ability to work independently, as well as collaboratively with senior system office and campus leadership, as well as members of the Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas
Ability to handle sensitive information and records with discretion is a must.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in graphic design, content creation, editing, social media managing within an institution of higher education
Some experience with the Workday platform and web content management systems, particularly WordPress
Familiarity with certain communications-related software to include MailChimp, Adobe Creative Cloud Suite, Canva, etc.
Familiarity or a willingness to learn about the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act and assist with addressing, filling, organizing, redacting, exempting with numerous FOIA incoming requests for public information.

Responsibilities

Develop a relationship with the chair of the WRDL Advisory Board to understand the needs of the Board and its regular meetings, especially in all aspects of planning three prominent annual lectures held on alternating campuses within the UA System.
Prepare Board meeting annual schedules and create and send invites to committee members’ calendars. Reserve meeting spaces and make location arrangements, and work with catering for lunches.
Prepare meeting agenda in consultation with Board Chair, including committee reports for current meeting: Finance, Promotion, Preservation.
Prepare and present financial reports at meetings and as requested by Chair prepare campus lecture schedule; record and prepare minutes.
Serve as a liaison between Chair, public members and campus reps on activity related to campus lectures, including working closely with campus communications/marketing offices to use combined resources for content and promotion.
Assist campuses with the process of bringing lecturers to campuses being a liaison between campus reps and UA System Office of General Counsel for issuing lecturer contracts for legal review and completion.
Review, edit and approve marketing, content and promotional items created by campuses to ensure adherence to WRDL brand requirements.
Advise campus reps regarding appropriate expenses and processes for payment.
Ensure lecturer honorariums are paid according to contract deadline and campus reimbursements are paid promptly.
Draft correspondence for Chair’s signature.
Submit request for approval by UA Board of Trustees when new Board members are appointed and track member terms.
Assist with orienting new campus representatives.
Organize annual Board retreat, when scheduled.
Act as a steward of WRDL content and brand to provide historical information upon request. Interact with the UALR Center for Arkansas History and Culture (CAHC), the holder of WRDL historical records. Transfer records/documents to CAHC on a determined schedule.
Work with Board and UA System Director of Communications in developing a new WRDL website that includes legacy content and creation of fresh content in creating a new home for all things related to WRDL.
Create and maintain social media and web presences for WRDL that drives traffic to its website, where content regarding its lectures schedule and Board information is kept up to date.
Update WRDL Procedures Handbook as needed.
Report to the UA System Director of Communications to manage combined workload and assignments between the UA System and WRDL, work location scheduling, and maintain a relationship balancing and meeting expectations of the two positions on a part-time schedule.
Learning and being an ambassador of the UA System brand to include all its 22 campuses, divisions and units statewide.
Learning and maintaining relationships with other key stakeholders inside the UA System to include Office of General Counsel, Government Relations/Public Affairs, Academic Affairs, Finance, Risk Management, Human Resources, Audit, communications and leadership at campuses, divisions and units, and the UA System President’s office.
Learning and maintaining external relationships with members of the local, statewide, and national media.
Being proficient in creating content related to websites, news releases, social media, administrative letters, policy, speech writing, talking points, advertising, and announcements — generally being versatile in managing projects for a variety of audiences.
Help with rewriting, updating, creating, and editing content on uasys.edu.
Open to brainstorming new communications-related ideas, strategies, trends and possessing a creative spirit to assist with office-related projects and design needs.