Communications Manager

Reporting to the Head of the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and the Director of Communications and Marketing for the College of Engineering, the Communications Manager will plan, execute, and evaluate a comprehensive communications strategy for the department that aligns with the broader advancement (development, alumni relations, communications) and recruitment goals of the college and university. The manager will develop an annual work plan in consultation with the two supervisors and is evaluated against the success of that plan.

The Communications Manager must have a strong background in writing and editing as well as demonstrated experience in several communications skillsets. These skillsets may include writing for a variety of platforms and occasions, social media management, website development and maintenance, videography and photography, enrollment marketing, media relations, and/or graphic design. The manager should also be able to navigate multiple and competing priorities in a dynamic environment. This individual is a member of the college’s communications team and the department head’s leadership team.

Specific work responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, producing newsletters, email communications, and stories that highlight department activities; supporting student and faculty recruitment activities; managing department social media accounts, websites, and other digital and print forms of communication; and coordinating visual assets through photography and videography; developing and distributing flyers for departmental seminars and events; maintaining an inventory of department-branded items for internal and external use; and supporting department events where department updates are communicated.

Working within the advancement model, this individual’s efforts must be strategically aligned to support the goals and priorities of the department, college, and broader university. The Communications Manager must follow established brand guidelines, university policies and procedures, and accessibility standards.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or related field with appropriate experience.
• Excellence in written communication skills, including editing and copywriting.
• Experience with developing promotional materials.
• Experience working with communication platforms in a professional setting.
• Experience meeting deadlines and navigating multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong organizational/interpersonal skills, creativity, flexibility, self-motivation, and the ability to thrive in a team setting.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends, and travel periodically as needed.
• Ability to work effectively with all university and external constituents.

• Master’s degree in Communications or related field with appropriate experience.
• Experience with digital content strategy and management, including content management systems and other web platforms as well as professional/organizational social media management.
• Experience with visual communication mediums, such as photography, videography, and/or graphic design.
• Experience in a higher education, independent school, or non-profit environment.

Regular

$60K - $70K

January 13, 2023

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.