Senior Communications Strategist, External Relations

UVA Health

18h•$100,000 - $125,000•Hybrid

About The Position

External Relations at the University of Virginia (UVA) seeks an energetic and experienced communications professional to join its Advancement Communications team as the Senior Communications Strategist. This role will help tell the story of philanthropy at UVA, advance our strategic objectives and grow audiences. The University of Virginia has a strong and reputable advancement community, boasting effective, results-oriented and resourceful professionals. We offer a wide variety of career opportunities, as well as an outstanding environment for professional growth and development. Position Summary The Senior Communications Strategist plays a vital role on our communications staff, augmenting a highly effective team of professionals while collaborating to help us prepare for the philanthropy communications opportunities of the future. The role includes fundamental communications responsibilities but also will have expectations of strategic planning, execution and measurement in areas identified for growth and experimentation. The Senior Communications Strategist will report directly to External Relations’ Associate Vice President for Communications.

Requirements

Demonstrated ability to find and produce compelling stories that align with strategic objectives, grow audience and influence behavior.
Ability to write in-depth narratives and concise, to-the-point copy equally well.
Comfortable managing both longer-term editorial plans and producing content on tight deadlines.
Proven ability pitching to media and developing relationships with journalists and content-producing organizations that result in earned media success.
Experience writing opinion pieces, speeches and executive talking points.
Demonstrated editing skills, including line-editing, search-friendly headline and summary writing.
Demonstrated ability writing human-focused stories of impact, preferably including content focused on the impact of philanthropy, higher education or related subjects.
Mature news judgment, reflected in the ability to produce timely, newsy content that resonates with target audiences and recognizes the influence of events beyond our immediate market.
Ability to work effectively in team environments that collaborate on deadline and across months.
Familiarity with analytics and metrics that demonstrate the effectiveness of content and inform future editorial decisions.
Bachelor's degree required.
5+ years of relevant professional experience required.

Nice To Haves

8+ years of experience in communications, including writing, editing, and media
Experience in higher education or advancement communications

Responsibilities

Writes and edits for digital and print platforms.
Collaborates with creative professionals on design, presentation, digital and video assets.
Contributes to editorial planning for content calendars, campaigns and longer-term storytelling and fundraising projects.
Assists in preparation of fundraising materials such as newsletters, brochures, case statements, appeals letters, stewardship communications, and campaign reports.
Proactively identifies opportunities for storytelling that can be used to build support and interest in areas of institutional strategic importance.
Coordinates integrated strategies to amplify strategic content across platforms including owned media, earned media and social media.
Leads and assists in building and executing earned media strategies and efforts that attract coverage of timely, newsy storylines and people who reflect the positive impact of philanthropy.
Establishes and cultivates relationships with journalists, influencers and other content producers and distributors.
Leads and assists in planning, writing, and executing thought leadership and related strategies that support the SVP for External Relations and his portfolio.
Leads development of recommendations for the robust integration of social media in the External Relations communications toolkit, including strategy for platforms, audiences, objectives and metrics.
Coordinates with State Government Relations to support strategic communications objectives with elected officials and leaders designed to underscore the University’s positive impact on local communities, state and federal levels.
Other duties as assigned.