Strategic Communications Specialist

UNC-Chapel Hill•Chapel Hill, NC

About The Position

The Strategic Communications Specialist executes the Collaboratory’s external engagement strategy, ensuring that the impact of research is visible and accessible to diverse audiences through digital platforms, targeted email outreach, and proactive media engagement. This position combines strategic storytelling with digital engagement, email strategy, audience targeting, and media relations to produce written and visual content that translates complex research into clear, compelling narratives for policymakers, partners, and the public. Reporting to the Director of External Impact & Strategic Communications, the Specialist drives the Collaboratory’s external engagement by developing and managing social media strategies, executing targeted email campaigns, and building media relationships to secure coverage and coordinate responses. This position also creates accessible research-based content for key stakeholders, including one pagers, press releases, presentations, articles, and talking points. Additionally, the Specialist uses analytics to understand and grow digital audiences, ensuring that content reaches the right stakeholders at the right time. This position also supports academic partnerships and brand development by identifying priority conferences, events, and awards that elevate the Collaboratory’s work. Established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2016, the Collaboratory connects UNC System research expertise with the practical needs of policymakers and communities. It conducts both directed and discretionary research across areas such as natural resource management, environmental quality, and public health, managing more than 250 active projects supported by over $250 million in appropriations. The Strategic Communications Specialist amplifies the institutional voice, visibility, and reputation of the Collaboratory as a trusted leader in science and policy.

Requirements

Ability to write and edit across multiple formats (e.g., articles, newsletters, press releases, talking points, email campaigns, media statements).
Proficiency in managing social media platforms (Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) and related analytics tools.
Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across diverse stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, academic partners, and members of the media.
Ability to translate complex research into clear, compelling written content for diverse audiences through written, digital, email, and media channels.
Strategic storytelling and campaign development skills, including proactive media relations and targeted email outreach.
Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to analyze audience data and apply insights to refine messaging and boost engagement across social, email, and earned media channels.
Attention to detail and commitment to brand consistency across written, digital, email, media, and event-based communications.
Professional communications experience spanning writing, digital, and media-focused work.
Proven ability to develop and execute integrated communications campaigns (email, social, media, stakeholder engagement) that increase visibility and advance organizational goals.
Experience managing end-to-end campaigns and media engagement, including content creation, posting, analytics, and optimization.
Demonstrated success collaborating with cross-functional teams and preparing leadership for external engagements.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrated training or certification in digital marketing, analytics, email marketing platforms, media relations, or social media management tools.
Familiarity with state government, legislative processes, or higher education systems.
Ability to develop and refine email strategies, including audience segmentation, list management, and campaign testing.
Experience preparing spokespeople or leadership for media engagement, including drafting press statements or coordinating interviews.
Strong writing and editing skills for executive communications, op-eds, or other high-visibility materials.
Strategic ability to anticipate communications opportunities and proactively position the organization through media engagement and targeted email outreach.
Ability to write and tailor messaging for policymakers, legislators, academic audiences, and media outlets.
Working knowledge of SEO , content strategy, digital advertising, and email and audience targeting.
Ability to measure communications ROI and present data-driven insights on email and media outreach performance.
Progressively responsible communications experience, ideally within higher education, nonprofit, or government settings.
Experience building and managing partnerships with external stakeholders such as universities, research consortia, government agencies, and media contacts.
Proven track record of securing media coverage and strong email engagement successes that elevate organizational visibility.
Experience developing training resources or onboarding materials for faculty, researchers, external collaborators or staff involved in media or email communications.

Responsibilities

Craft clear, compelling content that translates complex research into accessible narratives for policymakers, partners, and the public.
Use strategic storytelling and audience engagement to elevate the Collaboratory’s visibility and impact.
Translate technical findings into approachable messaging and written materials.
Conduct stakeholder interviews to ensure accuracy and clarity for non-expert audiences.
Lead the Collaboratory’s social media strategy by creating timely, engaging content.
Use data driven insights to grow a digital presence, expand reach, increase engagement, and elevate awareness through consistent, audience focused storytelling.
Develop and implement platform specific strategies, analyze performance metrics to optimize visibility, and monitor news and legislative activity to identify timely opportunities to highlight the Collaboratory’s work.
Manage the writing, editing, and strategic distribution of newsletters, press releases, media advisories, and stakeholder updates.
Oversee the email platform, curate and organize stakeholder lists, and ensure messages reach target audiences effectively.
Cultivate and manage relationships with reporters and media outlets to ensure accurate and visible coverage of the Collaboratory’s work.
Conduct proactive media outreach, press management, respond quickly to media inquiries, maintain consistent messaging, and monitor media coverage to position the Collaboratory as a trusted resource for journalists covering research, policy, and public-interest issues.
Engage academic and research communities to elevate the Collaboratory’s reputation.
Identify conference opportunities, strengthen strategic positioning, amplify key partnerships, and pursue awards that highlight research impact.
Facilitate principal investigator (PI) training to support effective representation of the Collaboratory’s work.