Part-Time Staff Communications and Design Specialist

American University•Washington, DC

9h•Onsite

About The Position

The Communications & Design Specialist acts as the Advancing College Teaching for Student Success (ACTSS) National Center’s primary storyteller and visual strategist, responsible for translating complex research findings into accessible, high-impact content for diverse audiences, such as academics, policy-makers, and the broader public, including students and families. In this inaugural role, the specialist will be responsible for successful communications during the launch of the ACTSS center. This role manages the center’s digital identity, design assets, and public relations strategy, in collaboration with the School of Education (SOE) and University communications teams, to ensure that research outputs reach policymakers, practitioners, and the broader public. By bridging the gap between academic research data and public perception about college teaching, the specialist enhances the center’s visibility, coordinates high-profile events, and cultivates relationships with institutional partners to amplify the center’s influence mission. This position is grant funded by the Lumina and ECMC Foundations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree
1 - 3 years of relevant experience

Nice To Haves

Master's degree
3 - 5 years of relevant experience

Responsibilities

Visual Identity and Design: Develop and maintain the center’s visual branding, including the creation of infographics, data visualizations, report templates, and presentation materials that effectively communicate research outcomes.
Digital Content Management: Manage the center’s website and social media presence, producing engaging content such as newsletters, blog posts, and digital campaigns that reflect the center's research agenda.
Strategic Communications: Draft press releases, executive summaries, OpEds, and targeted outreach materials; serve as the lead contact for media inquiries and institutional communications offices.
Event Promotion and Coordination: Lead the marketing strategy for seminars, symposiums, and public lectures, including the design of event collateral and management of registration/outreach logistics, in collaboration with the ACTSS center administrative assistant.
Liaising and Collaboration: Serve as the main liaison with internal and external communications stakeholders. Collaborate with SOE and University communications and marketing teams. Coordinate with external news venues and partners for major ACTSS events.