Communications Specialist

Summary:

The VCU L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs invites applications for a part-time Communications Specialist. Reporting to the Director of Communications and External Relations, this position is a key member of the communications team at the Wilder School.

This creative and multifaceted role facilitates the production of a variety of communications assets. This role serves as an expert at external communications that establish and strengthen the profile and reputation of the VCU Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs.

The ideal candidate will work directly with the Wilder School Communications Office members, including the associate director of communications, special projects communications manager, events and messaging strategist, and student workers.

This is a part time, in-person position for approximately 28 hours per week with occasional remote work.

The Wilder School's mission is to:

• Engage, teach and inspire students and leaders to understand and solve challenges in our world.

• Advance research that informs public policy and decision-making to improve our communities.

• Collaborate with communities through innovative partnerships to enhance the quality of life.

The Wilder School's vision is to be the premier resource for public policy expertise and social equity in public safety, governance, and economic and community development. The 2024 U.S. News and World Report rankings confirm the Wilder School among the top 15% of graduate schools of public affairs at No. 39 and tied for No.1 in Virginia. The School is also ranked No. 19 in Social Policy, No. 28 in Urban Policy, and No. 33 in Public Management and Leadership. The Wilder School has over 1,500 students and more than 11,000 alumni, with an established environment where diverse perspectives thrive and where a common interest in public service and the betterment of society unites these perspectives together. Our academic excellence attracts the highest quality faculty, staff, and students, and our graduates are leaders in their professions.

Our location in Richmond, the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, combined with our proximity to Washington, DC, provides numerous opportunities for engaged scholarship, teaching and community engagement activities. A creative, interdisciplinary School with both academic programs and training/research centers in the social sciences and professional arenas, we reflect the diversity of the communities we serve, providing students and faculty with the knowledge, skills, opportunities, and experience necessary for success.

For additional information about the Wilder School, please visit our website at https://wilder.vcu.edu/ .

Position Responsibilities:

Writing and Content Production and Distribution (60%)

• Consistent authorship of compelling written content that promotes the Wilder School, including coverage of newsworthy research, profiles, accomplishments, events, etc., from the school’s faculty, administration, alumni and students.

• Work closely with the Director of Communications and External Relations to implement content production and develop distribution strategies to promote communications that advance the school’s key events, initiatives, research and accomplishments to media and external partners.

• Conduct interviews and produce engaging storytelling for the school magazine, website, social media, printed publications, press releases and other print and digital collateral as necessary.

• Explore and implement best practices and continual improvement to successfully amplify communications reach to grow website traffic, social media networks, email subscribers and expand viewership.

Social media management (25%)



• Develop editorial calendar and source content for social media to effectively tell the Wilder School's stories, with a particular focus on visual and written narratives, for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn networks.

• Collaborate with the Communications Team to develop outreach strategies and create engaging content for our audiences.

• Analyze social media insights and reports to measure campaign performance and implement data-driven strategies to boost engagement and reach.

• Monitor social media interactions, respond to comments, and escalate issues as necessary.

• Work alongside social media assistant student worker(s) to help direct content.

Website and Email Content Management (10%)

• Develop email content and images, building and designing email campaigns, and tracking and analyzing email metrics.

• Lead project management of messaging campaigns for Wilder School communications, events and development and alumni relations messaging ticket system.

• Manage website story posting, content updates, including the development of targeted landing pages and search engine optimized content.

• Evaluate website performance in Google Analytics to develop strategies to improve traffic metrics.

Additional Communications and Event Support (5%)

• Support additional special projects on behalf of the Wilder School Dean’s Office, academic programs and other key initiatives.

• Provide event support to include invitation management, including invitation preparation and mailing, name tags, and post-event evaluation and feedback.

• Provide occasional, in-person support for key events.

• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications/Minimum Hiring Standards:

• Bachelor’s degree, preferably in journalism, mass communications, public relations, business or a related field; or an equivalent combination of education and direct experience.

• 3-5 years in an external communications, writing, journalism, content strategist or public relations content role (three communications or event-related work samples will be requested).

• Superior writing and communication skills to suit a range of external audiences and detailed knowledge of external relations and public relations principles.

• Demonstrated experience conducting interviews and authoring original stories on behalf of an organization, brand or publication.

• Experience growing social media platforms through effective content development plans and execution.

• Demonstrated creativity in sourcing and authoring a consistent and high-quality content pipeline including following leads, exploring new storytelling ideas and embracing evolving best practices in external communications.

• Exceptional project management, organization skills and ability to prioritize multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment and provide occasional, after-hours and weekend support for in-person Wilder School events.

• Excellent anticipatory skills, willingness and adaptability to take initiative, adapt approaches and work independently and collaboratively.

• Ability to use Google Drive, transcription and other desktop and project management software.

• Familiarity with email marketing platforms such as Constant Contact, Mail Chimp, etc.

• Familiarity with web content management systems and development of keyword-optimized web copy and messaging.

• Professional and enthusiastic demeanor, resourceful and solution-oriented with a willingness to learn, grow and develop novel approaches to creative communications.

• Demonstrated experience and ability to help foster a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment to support VCU.

Preferred Qualifications/Hiring Standards:

• 5+ years in an external communications project management, writing, journalism, content strategist or public relations role.

• Demonstrated experience in a public relations agency, in-house communications, brand management or content marketing role.

• Familiarity with event marketing and communications.

• Demonstrated experience working in higher education or nonprofit organizations.

• Familiarity and working design knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite.

• Familiarity with search engine optimization and Google Analytics.

Typical Physical and Cognitive Requirements:


Physical Demands and Activities (Essential):
Light lifting ( Pushing/pulling
Standing
Sitting

Emotional Demands (Essential):
Fast pace/Average pace
Multiple stimuli
Frequent change
Intense customer interaction

Mental/Sensory Demands (Essential):
Memory
Reading
Reasoning
Hearing
Logic
Analyzing
Verbal communication
Written Communication

Application Instructions:


All applications should include a cover letter, a detailed resume with the names and contact information of three professional references, and three professional work examples, including two writing assignments and a sample select of social media posts and/or campaigns.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled, with priority review beginning October 7, 2024.

“Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability”.