Senior Communications Specialist

The Ohio State University • Columbus, OH

4d • $70,100 - $91,600 • Onsite

About The Position

The Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) seeks a Senior Communications Specialist to join its communications and marketing team. The Senior Communications Specialist will lead the development of engaging communications for audiences within OAA and across Ohio State’s academic enterprise. Primary responsibilities will include writing, producing and distributing communications for internal audiences, including faculty, staff, university leaders, and students. The Senior Communications Specialist will establish and implement plans and tactics that engage internal academic audiences in alignment with the Executive Vice President and Provost’s priorities and university priorities. This position will work with partners across the university — including the Office of Marketing and Office of Communications, OAA reporting units, and college- and campus-based marketing and communications teams — and interface with university leaders. A high degree of executive presence will be crucial for this role, as will be an ability to manage complex and confidential information with discretion. The Senior Communications Specialist will develop and maintain a regular cadence of internal communications, maintain communications calendars, create distribution plans, ensure necessary reviews, and track progress. The ideal candidate is a skilled writer and editor with sensibilities in project management and digital marketing who understands how to drive and measure engagement. This position will often write announcements and messages to academic leaders, staff and university stakeholders and manage strategies and tactics for dissemination, following internal protocols. The Sr. Communication Specialist will create not only high-quality digital content but will lead the marketing and distribution of content through relevant digital channels. A key responsibility will be to work closely with university marketing and communications design and web development teams to ensure that channel content follows policies and web standards and in support of business strategy and objectives. This role will be a key partner for internal communications projects, campaigns, and events.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism or a similar field, or similar combination of education and experience
• 4 years related job experience including internal communications, writing, editing, and marketing
• Familiarity with photography and video production and techniques
• Familiarity with budget management and communications effective measurement techniques
• 2 years website content development and management

Nice To Haves

• Ability to complete routine work independently
• Ability to cultivate relationships with both leadership and work teams to produce optimal results
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with strong understanding of team dynamics and individual needs
• Ability to analyze the effectiveness of overall web experience and content
• Ability to delegate effectively and motivate teams
• Embrace innovation, adaptability, and continuous improvement
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills, including strong writing and editing experience
• Experience with developing compelling and engaging internal communications
• Experience with project management and strong attention to detail
• Experience with academic communications — including faculty- and leader-facing communications
• Experience and ability to produce content for diverse audiences
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle complex and sensitive information with discretion
• Highly organized, efficient, reliable, and punctual
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Attention to detail and ability to multi-task

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of engaging communications for audiences within OAA and across Ohio State’s academic enterprise.
• Write, produce, and distribute communications for internal audiences, including faculty, staff, university leaders, and students.
• Establish and implement plans and tactics that engage internal academic audiences in alignment with the Executive Vice President and Provost’s priorities and university priorities.
• Work with partners across the university — including the Office of Marketing and Office of Communications, OAA reporting units, and college- and campus-based marketing and communications teams — and interface with university leaders.
• Develop and maintain a regular cadence of internal communications.
• Maintain communications calendars.
• Create distribution plans.
• Ensure necessary reviews.
• Track progress.
• Write announcements and messages to academic leaders, staff and university stakeholders.
• Manage strategies and tactics for dissemination, following internal protocols.
• Create high-quality digital content.
• Lead the marketing and distribution of content through relevant digital channels.
• Work closely with university marketing and communications design and web development teams to ensure that channel content follows policies and web standards and in support of business strategy and objectives.
• Be a key partner for internal communications projects, campaigns, and events.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision coverage, with Ohio State paying a significant portion of the cost.
• Paid time off, including sick and vacation time and 11 holidays.
• State retirement plan or an alternative retirement plan, both with generous employer contributions.

What This Job Offers

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