Director of Research Communications

University of Arkansas System•Fayetteville, NC

1d•$85,000

About The Position

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture is a state wide campus, with faculty based on University campuses, at Research and Extension Centers and in every Arkansas county. It consists of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station (AES) and the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service (CES), and is home to more than 1400 employees. The Division was established in 1959 and is headed by the Vice-President for Agriculture. The Division headquarters is located in Little Rock with the rest of the University of Arkansas System Administration. As an employer, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers a vibrant work environment and a workplace culture that promotes a healthy work-life balance. The Director of Research Communications will lead a team of communicators to promote the innovation, research and discoveries achieved by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station. In collaboration with the UADA Chief Communications Officer and the Director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, the Director of Research Communications will implement strategies to reinforce the value of the experiment station and support UADA in achieving its mission. The Director will oversee operations and content creation, including news releases, media relations, social media, design projects, audio content, videos, websites, publications, crisis communications and brand management. The Director will assign and monitor project assignments, ensure that quality meets established standards, and strive for continuous improvement within the unit.

Requirements

Master’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, engineering, science, or a related field is required. A related Bachelor’s degree and pertinent professional licensure or four (4) years of directly related experience may be substituted for the Master’s degree. Substitution for a Master’s degree does not waive the other requirements, which are in addition to the substitution requirements.
4+ years of experience in communications and public relations.
1+ years of supervisory experience.
Must provide examples of past communications work that demonstrate your skills. Past work examples include, but are not limited to, the following list. You do not need examples for every item listed — only those items in which you have some expertise. For each item, please include a brief description of your specific role in the creation of that content: Published news releases or news articles Videos or video scripts Magazines or other publications Social media content Websites managed Photographs Graphics or flyers Internal communications or documentation
Meticulous attention to detail and exceptional writing and editing skills to ensure 100% accuracy in our content.
Excellent command of the English language, grammar, and storytelling to deliver high-quality content.
Effective priority management skills to manage multiple priorities and meet project deadlines.
Understanding of KPIs used to measure communications success.
Willingness to acquire new skills and learn from others quickly and efficiently.
Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, from members of the media to our researchers.

Nice To Haves

8+ years of experience in communications and public relations
3+ years of supervisory experience.
Experience working with science or research communications.
Experience with social media platforms and content management systems (CMS).
Experience with photography or videography
Experience with graphic design

Responsibilities

Seek and develop content ideas for news stories, web and social media content, and audio and video content.
Assign projects based on priority and help Research Communications team members prioritize their work to maximize timeliness and value.
Thoroughly review and edit all research communications projects, including news releases, videos, publications, websites, and more.
Write news stories, web content, and social media posts for the experiment station.
Oversee and implement the experiment station’s social media strategy.
Foster positive and collaborative relationships with faculty members around the state.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the media to promote research and discoveries from the experiment station.
Help maintain and add to the UADA media contacts database.
Procure equipment and supplies needed for the Research Communications team to achieve its goals.
Collaborate with regional partners to amplify the achievements of the UADA researchers within the broader southern region research story.
Engage in regular professional development and ensure members of the Research Communications team do the same.
Help maintain brand integrity.
Offer relevant communications training to UADA employees and research faculty.
Develop and implement crisis communication plans in coordination with UADA leadership.
Meet regularly with the Director of the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station to align research communications priorities and report on Research Communications activities.
Note: This position requires occasional travel within Arkansas to cover research activities or events with the potential for infrequent after-hours or weekend work.