Communications and External Relations Manager

Job Description

The Communications and External Relations Manager is an administrative/professional faculty position within the Department of Engineering Education. This position will develop, implement, maintain, and manage the department's communications for both undergraduate and graduate academic programs. The position will also oversee communication of the department's research activities to a variety of stakeholders. The individual will report to the Department Head.
Specific roles and responsibilities are as follows:
Manage communications for undergraduate and graduate academic programs, including, but not limited to, social media engagement, printed forms of media, video, and the departmental website.
Assist the Department Head with developing materials necessary for annual reports, Advisory Board meetings, and other departmental activities which may include data analysis, writing, editing, retrieval, verification, photography, videography, image and video editing, and layout and design.
Work with academic program leaders to identify departmental activities to communicate externally and develop communication products in a variety of formats (e.g., Frith Laboratory, Advising, new student Orientation, Rising Sophomore Abroad Program, etc).
Engage with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, including students, prospective graduate students, parents, faculty, staff, university administrators, alumni, industry partners, and community members. Liaise with college and university communications personnel.
Work with faculty and staff to manage communication of department's research activities, including new grant announcements, broad dissemination of grant related scholarly activities, and the co-development of new products that communicate research findings and activities in a variety of ways (e.g., distilling academic papers into one-page briefs, videos, etc.).

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications or related field and/or related training and significant related experience.
• Demonstrated experience in program administration and/or communications;
• Computer proficiency, especially with Microsoft Office applications, web content management systems, and social media tools
• Ability to adapt quickly to new content creation and management tools.
• Ability to prioritize tasks, apply policies, and meet deadlines;
• Demonstrated troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to organize, multitask, and work independently.
• Enthusiastic team player with a strong work ethic.
• Interested in working with faculty members, graduate students, and undergraduate students.
• Ability to engage in a collegial manner with parents, students, and stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a university environment and working knowledge of university policies and procedures.
• Prior work that required the development of a variety of communications products, including written documents, stories and news releases for use by the media, websites, social media, and videos.
• Ability to understand and translate research products for a variety of stakeholders.

Appointment Type

Regular

Review Date

Review of applications will begin October 26, 2020, and continue until the position is filled.

Additional Information

Candidates should apply online at www.jobs.vt.edu to posting number 514267. The successful Candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check. For general inquiries about this position or the search process, please contact the search committee chair, Dr. Marlena McGlothlin-Lester ( marlenal@vt.edu ).

About Virginia Tech

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.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact the search chair at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: September 28, 2020
Applications close: