(Hybrid) Communications Specialist - Division for Land-Grant Engagement

Description

West Virginia University's Division for Land-Grand Engagement is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Communications Specialist.

About the Opportunity

Under the supervision of the Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications/Sr. Communications Specialist, this individual will be responsible for developing and implementing strategic, creative content and stories to promote the units within the Division for Land-Grant Engagement (WVU Extension, the Davis College and the Center for Community Engagement), their activities, and people to internal and external audiences. The communications specialist's responsibilities include high-level writing, in-depth research and strong editorial capabilities to produce news releases, recruitment marketing materials and plans, media pitches and advisories, feature articles, social media campaigns/posts, and internal/external communications. The ideal candidate will be well-versed in storytelling strategies and adept at producing effective multimedia content, including text, video and photography. This communications professional will be expected to work independently and as a part of a team in a collaborative and deadline-driven environment.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5 hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What you'll do:

• Work with the assistant director of marketing and communications to develop and implement an overall strategic communications plan consistent with the goals and land-grant mission of the Division and its units, as well as those of WVU.
• Serve as storyteller and editor for various Division programs and support units, demonstrating a high level of writing, research and editing skills for an array of projects, including feature and research stories, content for recruitment publications, web/video content, social media communication, news releases, student and employee spotlights, development and alumni materials, talking points and other communication.
• Develop, post and edit web content.
• Create visually appealing digital communications to engage a diverse audience (photos, video, social graphics).
• Collaborate with recruitment and student success teams to develop content for recruitment materials and student-focused communications as well as overall recruitment marketing plans.
• Serve as key member of social media team to build visibility and reputation for each unit of the Division through innovative usage of social media channels.
• Work with others on the team to ensure all tactics are repurposed and used in ways that showcase all units within the Division (e.g., photo, video, feature stories).
• Work with the development team to expand alumni- and donor-related communications to improve alumni relations and foster potential donors for the Division's units.
• Work with WVU's News staff to support, strengthen and extend the WVU, Davis, Extension and CCE brands, and clearly articulate the University's land-grant mission, goals and identity through the look, feel and tone of the materials created.
• Establish benchmarks to determine metrics and ROI for improvement and effectiveness of marketing and communications tactics.
• Determine and implement methods to regularly measure outcomes of communications' efforts.
• Provide strategic communication counsel to faculty, staff and administrators to enhance the Division's units' visibility and reputation throughout the state, including working with county WVU Extension offices, while ensuring brand standards are met.
• Develop and deliver training to Davis, Extension and CCE faculty and staff regarding communications practices and branding.
• Assist, as needed, with WVU Extension, Davis, CCE and University events.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, communications or related field
• Two (2) years of experience in creating and developing content for digital and print communications, including social media
• Experience in video and photo storytelling preferred
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.(always include unless position requires specific degree).
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.