Marketing & Communications Specialist - Arts & Sciences Office Account - 42766

Washington University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

Please attach a copy of your most current signed performance evaluation (completed within the last 18 months) to your online account.  If you have not received a performance evaluation, you may provide two current signed letters of recommendation (written within the last 18 months), preferably to include one letter from either a current or recent former supervisor.   To attach these documents, go to:  My Career Tools, Add Attachment, Attachment Type – Performance Reviews or Letters of Recommendation.

POSITION SUMMARY:

A unique opportunity for a communications professional with a well-developed generalist skillset. The communications specialist (CS) should be a superb writer, problem solver and project manager. The ideal candidate will be intellectually curious, flexible, able to juggle multiple demands within a multifaceted organizational environment and have a demonstrated interest in science. This position, which reports to the Assistant Director of Science Communications in Arts & Sciences, will support communications in several natural science departments.

The CS will assist in the implementation of department communications strategies targeting key internal and external audiences with the goal of promoting the research profile and major activities of each department. Specifically, the CS will support efforts in the following areas:

• Digital communications – primary responsibility for website content management and website content creation such as news briefs, feature stories and photography
• Communications liaison – circulate news about department activities to Arts & Sciences and other University communicators for inclusion in publications such as the Ampersand and the Record
• Social media – primary responsibility for department social media strategy to increase unit visibility and engagement; manage existing channels as needed and/or provide content to university channels
• Alumni communications – assist as needed with alumni newsletters and mailings
• Event publicity – assist as needed with event publicity and related efforts to extend the department’s on-campus visibility and community outreach

The CS will proactively engage with department faculty and staff to stay informed about new scholarly activities, outreach efforts, accomplishments and programmatic initiatives. The CS will assist and support other departmental staff on communications-related duties as needed.

The CS will be an integral part of the A&S Communications team and assist in the production and execution of a variety of communications efforts, and will also routinely interact and collaborate with a range of colleagues from other units.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Strategy and content management

• Assist in the development, implementation and evaluation of comprehensive communications strategies for each unit that target internal and external audiences, including prospective and current students, staff, faculty as well as parents, community partners, donors and audiences at peer institutions.
• Cultivate, write and disseminate stories across communication platforms for maximum impact. Gather information on current scholarly activities and programmatic initiatives. Solicit student and alumni testimonials.
• Create visually appealing content for electronic and digital distribution, including posters, flyers and fact sheets. Connect department stakeholders with campus resources or external vendors as needed.
• May recruit and supervise student workers and interns in the production and execution of a variety of communications efforts.
• Track metrics and regularly evaluate effectiveness of communications in order to refine efforts.

2. Digital communications

• Assist in website content management as needed, including any necessary content development.
• Develop and manage assigned projects such as newsletters and email marketing for internal and external audiences.
• Plan and funnel content to other Arts & Sciences and WashU websites and digital channels.
• Assist and support departmental staff on digital communications-related duties as needed.

3. Social media

• Create content for social media channels to increase unit visibility and high engagement.

4. Event marketing

• Coordinate event publicity and related efforts to extend campus visibility and community outreach: print materials, social media campaigns, video, advertising, and other marketing efforts.

5. Other

• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Will routinely interact with the A&S Communications team as well as a range of colleagues from other units.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or related field
• Previous experience in journalism, marketing and/or communications
• Experience in translating complicated topics for a general audience
• Strong skills in website and social media management
• Prior experience with or willingness to learn broadcast email and list management tools
• Demonstrated experience in strategic communications and experience integrating the latest technologies to support communications objectives
• Expertise with graphic design programs in Adobe Creative Suite
• Prior experience with nonprofits, higher education or journalism
• Adept storyteller with excellent writing and editing skills
• Expertise in effective content curation strategies
• Outstanding analytical, organizational and problem-solving abilities
• Outstanding interpersonal and written/verbal communications skills
• Ability to function confidently in an independent setting as well as collaborate effectively in close-knit team
• Energy, vision, initiative, creativity, tolerance for ambiguity, sound judgment and tact

• Bachelor’s degree and two years’ related experience
• Background and/or interest in science
• Previous experience with website and social media management
• Previous experience in any of the following arenas: writing for the web, journalism, marketing, advertising, editorial or related field

This position is full-time and works approximately 37.5 hours per week.  

This position is in the Arts & Sciences Office Account.  This position is for the Danforth Campus.

The hiring range for this position is $40,502 - $51,597 annually.

-Retirement Savings Plan
-22 vacation days
-8 Paid Holidays
-Sick Time
-Tuition benefits for employee, spouse and dependent children
-Free Metro Link/ Bus pass
-Free Life Insurance
-Health, Dental, Vision
-Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
-Long Term Disability Insurance
-Flex Spending Plan
-Other Benefits

Human Resources website (hr.wustl.edu)