Public Information Specialist (0080485)

University of Hawaii•Honolulu, HI

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The College of Arts, Languages & Letters (CALL) at the University of Hawaii at Manoa is seeking a Public Information Specialist to join its leadership team. This role will provide strategic communications counsel and support for College-wide initiatives, working closely with the Dean and leadership team. The specialist will develop and implement a comprehensive strategic communications and marketing plan, manage the College's brand messaging, and oversee the official website. The position aims to highlight the relevance of arts, humanities, languages, and area studies, and advise on media relations and public perception. The role also involves managing social media platforms, creating recruitment and publicity materials, overseeing publications like "CALL Weekly" and "CALL Lately," and directing staff or student assistants. Additionally, the specialist will serve as a liaison for story-sharing to UH System-wide media, coordinate communications for donor-facing projects and events, execute cross-platform recruitment strategies, analyze analytics, and develop crisis communication plans. The position requires managing the communications budget and resources, and performing other assigned duties.

Requirements

Possession of a baccalaureate degree in Business Administration, Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, such as Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, English or related field and 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for multimedia production, public relations, marketing, and/or journalism; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of multimedia production, public relations, marketing, and/or journalism as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with multimedia production, public relations, marketing, and/or journalism.
Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer, apply word processing software.
If applicable, for supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively under tight deadlines, and work outside of normally scheduled hours including nights, weekends and holidays as directed.
Demonstrated experience with applications to develop and disseminate marketing material such as Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator), Canva, Mailchimp, Google Suite, Content Management Systems, etc.
Demonstrated experience in developing and managing social media strategies.
Experience analyzing website and social media analytics to measure the “communication effectiveness” and inform future content strategies.
Ability to foster and maintain collaborative partnerships across all levels of university leadership, institutional units, and diverse public stakeholders.
Demonstrated ability to write and edit a variety of materials and adapt them as appropriate for varied communication platforms and audiences.
Demonstrated experience in a supervisory or leadership capacity, including the ability to direct staff or student assistants, and manage budgets and resources.

Nice To Haves

Professional work experience in the marketing of higher education programs or strategic communications.
Familiarity with University of Hawaiʻi structure, mission, and programs.
Familiarity with UH organizations, including, but not limited to Office of Research Services, Alumni Affairs, Office of University and Community Relations, and UH Foundation.
Familiarity with various standard style guides.
Experience in planning, promoting, and coordinating events and functions.

Responsibilities

Serve as a core member of the College's leadership team, working closely with the Dean and leadership team to provide strategic communications counsel and support for College-wide initiatives and decision-making.
Develop, implement, and continuously refine a comprehensive strategic communications and marketing plan for CALL, ensuring alignment with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's overarching brand identity and communication goals.
Serve as the primary architect and guardian of CALL's brand messaging, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and compelling storytelling across all platforms and communications to effectively convey the College's mission and unique contributions of faculty and student excellence.
Strategically manage and continuously enhance the College's official website, ensuring it is current, user-friendly, visually appealing, and serves as a dynamic hub for information about CALL's programs, events, and achievements. This includes content management systems, navigation, and user experience, in collaboration with the CALL IT Manager.
Develop initiatives that highlight the enduring relevance and societal impact of studies in the arts, humanities, languages, and area studies.
Stay abreast of current and emerging communications techniques, technologies, and best practices relevant to higher education and the liberal arts.
Advise the Dean, department chairs, and program directors on all matters related to media relations, public perception, and strategic communications.
Serve as the CALL point of contact for the University of Hawaiʻi System communications team to ensure coordinated efforts and amplify CALL’s visibility.
Define the strategic direction for official social media platforms and oversee the creation of original content designed to deepen stakeholder engagement, build community, promote events, and amplify CALL’s message.
Design and produce sophisticated recruitment and publicity materials across print, visual, digital, television, and podcast formats to enhance the College’s reach to prospective students and the general public.
Manage the editorial calendar and content strategy for the "CALL Weekly" and "CALL Lately" publications to ensure consistent institutional messaging.
Oversee the professional distribution of sophisticated content curation for publications and social media posts to internal and external audiences.
Direct staff and/or student assistants in the tactical execution of digital assets, ensuring all materials align with the College’s overarching branding and recruitment yield goals.
Serve as primary liaison for story-sharing to ensure CALL representation in UH System-wide media channels.
Coordinate communications for donor-facing projects; provide publicity and organizational leadership for donor stewardship and fundraising events.
Showcase the impact of philanthropic support on scholarships, faculty research, creative endeavors, and program enhancements within CALL.
Execute cross-platform recruitment strategies to elevate CALL’s institutional profile and drive student enrollment.
Analyze website and social media analytics to inform content strategies and measure communication effectiveness.
Develop and manage crisis communication plans for the College, collaborating closely with the University's central communications office.
Plan, promote, direct, and coordinate functions, including but not limited to the Dean's Reception, Donor Receptions, and Discover Manoa.
Ensure CALL’s specific branding and identity are prominently featured during university-sponsored events, such as the Week of Welcome, the UHM Discover Manoa, and other recruiting opportunities.
Implement the CALL’s strategic plan into actionable media operations and effective communication workflows that support the College's long-term sustainability.
Direct and manage the CALL’s communications budget and resources.
Other duties as assigned.