Communications Specialist

Department: Academic Administration

Classification: Public Relations & Mktg Spec 3

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Provost’s Academic Administration pier provides academic communications leadership to advance the strategic priorities, goals, and initiatives of the Provost's Office and George Mason University. The team builds awareness of university-wide initiatives and supports the communication efforts of units within the Office of the Provost. The team’s areas of focus include serving as a liaison with other internal offices to integrate strategies and align activities with university-wide academic initiatives and strategic priorities, and providing vision and direction for key digital communications from offices within the provost’s division.

The Strategic Engagement and Communications team under Academic Administration leads executive communications, project-based messaging, web content, strategic messaging, and presentation development for major university initiatives and leadership engagements. The team ensures that messaging from the Provost’s Office is timely, consistent, and aligned with institutional priorities and George Mason University’s brand. It collaborates closely with university administrative units to support clear, transparent communication across academic and operational efforts.

About the Position:

The Communication Specialist plays a key role in managing and enhancing executive and strategic communications for the Office of the Provost, with a particular focus on writing executive talking points and developing high-impact presentations for the Provost and senior leadership. This position serves as a communications subject matter expert, contributing to project-based communications, website content, stakeholder messaging, and internal coordination. The role requires strong writing, presentation development, and organizational skills to manage multiple projects and deliver clear, effective messaging to support a high-functioning and fast-paced communications team.

Responsibilities:

• Executive and Strategic Communications:
  • Develop, edit, and publish high-level communications, including talking points, speeches, leadership emails, and official messages;
  • Develop content for key leadership engagements such as the Board of Visitors meetings and academic forums;
  • Advise provost leadership team, ensuring messaging aligns with university priorities, tone, editorial style guide, and brand; and
  • Collaborate with senior leadership to refine content and communication strategy. 
    
    
• Presentation Development:
  • Build clear, compelling, and visually engaging presentations for the Provost and senior leadership;
  • Translate complex ideas and institutional data into presentation materials suited for a variety of audiences;
  • Work with leadership and project teams to shape narrative flow and presentation structure; and
  • Apply university branding and accessibility standards to all presentation materials.
    
    
• Project-Based Communications:
  • Develop and implement messaging plans for strategic initiatives and academic projects;
  • Draft website copy, email updates, and project communications, including communications plans; and
  • Advise project leads and stakeholders to ensure consistency and clarity in communications. 
    
    
• Digital Content Creation:
  • Draft and update website content for the Office of the Provost and affiliated sites;
  • Enter, update, and maintain articles in the university’s shared content system, ContentHub;
  • Format and distribute digital newsletters using email platforms (e.g., My Emma); and
  • Ensure digital content is accurate, accessible, and consistent with university brand standards. 
    
    
• Internal Collaboration, Planning, and Coordination:
  • Lead communication planning, content alignment, and the Provost Office messaging efforts;
  • Develop, update, and maintain internal documentation, assist in drafting SOPs, and manage shared files and timelines;
  • Collaborate with colleagues across academic and administrative units to streamline communication workflows and align messaging priorities;
  • Manage and track communication tasks, deliverables, and deadlines to support ongoing priorities; and
  • Anticipate team needs and help prepare materials in support of ongoing initiatives.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Considerable experience (generally 3–5 years) in a communications, marketing, or public affairs role;
• Experience writing talking points, speeches, and executive-level messaging;
• Demonstrated experience writing and editing professional communications, coordinating projects, and developing content for digital platforms;
• Demonstrated experience in managing, organizing, and prioritizing multiple concurrent projects effectively to meet deadlines;
• Familiarity with website content creation and maintenance using a content management system (e.g., WordPress, Cascade, Drupal);
• Proficiency in developing presentations, particularly in PowerPoint, with attention to narrative structure and visual clarity;
• Proficiency in digital communication tools such as email marketing platforms (e.g., MyEmma, Mailchimp);
• Basic understanding of accessibility and branding standards in digital communications;
• Demonstrated writing, editing, and proofreading skills with the ability to craft clear, concise, and compelling content for a variety of audiences;
• Ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and priorities in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision; and
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and communicate effectively with internal stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Considerable experience in a strategic communications or executive communications role, preferably in higher education or a large, complex organization;
• Experience using digital tools such as ContentHub and visual design platforms (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Suite);
• Experience supporting senior leadership with messaging, talking points, and presentations;
• Demonstrated experience coordinating communication efforts across teams or departments;
• Knowledge of accessibility standards for web and email communications;
• Familiarity with higher education environments, including academic and administrative structures;
• Familiarity with university branding guidelines and working within institutional communication frameworks;
• Understanding of strategic messaging frameworks and brand voice alignment; and
• Skill in developing strategic communications and plans for high-profile initiatives or leadership engagements.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Communications Specialist at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter, resume, and at least two professional writing samples.

Posting Open Date:  May 12, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  May 28, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes