Communications Specialist

Posting Details

Job Code/Title 80391 - H - Communications Specialist 1 Position Number HU1520 Working Title Communications Specialist Department VCU Health Hub at 25th Organizational Overview

At VCU, we Make it Real through learning, research, creativity, service and discovery — the hallmarks of the VCU experience. A premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It’s a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work.

Recruitment Pool All Applicants Anticipated Hiring Range $21 Campus Monroe Park Campus Position Type Hourly Hours/Week up to 28 hrs Normal work days M-F, occasional weekend work Normal work hours Job Category Miscellaneous Does this position provide patient or clinical services to the VCU Health System? No Does this position require a pre-placement medical assessment? No Is any portion of this position grant-funded? No Sensitive Position No Resource Critical No Description of the Job
Virginia Commonwealth University’s ( VCU ) Office of Institutional Equity, Effectiveness and Success ( IES ) seeks a communications specialist for its communications and information management unit ( CIM ). Reporting to the Director of Communications and Information Management, the associate director will assume a key role in establishing and maintaining a fully functional communications and marketing practice within IES ; provide integrated communications counsel and guidance to the IES senior leadership team as it relates to advancing CIM’s digital, brand and content strategies; and they will contribute to the development and delivery of external and internal communications campaigns in support of creating a more equitable and inclusive learning and working environment at VCU .

MISSION OR GOAL OF UNIT
The Office of Institutional Equity, Effectiveness and Success ( IES ) advances VCU’s commitment to the success and wellbeing of its faculty, staff, students, team members, patients and surrounding communities. From its work in the areas of equal opportunity and outreach to collective urban and regional impact, IES translates philosophy into practice to achieve education and health equity for all.

CHIEF PURPOSE
To support the Director of Communications and Information Management through the development, implementation and ongoing management of integrated communications across an expansive portfolio of IES programs, priorities and initiatives.



KEY RESPONSIBILITIES WILL INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Core responsibilities

Create print and digital assets

• Create, design and edit fresh design elements and graphics for print and digital media
• Provide marketing and promotion assistance to offices and programs
• Research and implement new design styles, elements, file types and distribution methods

Develop and implement marketing materials

• Develop various publications and/or promotional plans that align with primary and secondary brands
• Manage multiple communication projects simultaneously

Support brand identity development and maintenance

• Maintain the primary and secondary identity program, including enforcing graphic standards
• Create and update school as well as program and office specific templates
• Maintain brand mark and template resources
• Train faculty and staff on template usage
• Develop event and message specific campaigns

Vendor coordination

• Write production specifications
• Competitively bid projects in accordance with VCU procurement standards, collegiate licensing company standards and contemporary business practices
• Coordinate the production of goods with vendors
• Traffic and manage the delivery of produced items
• Manage vendor relationships

Traffic coordination

• Facilitate and track the internal workflow of projects
• Manage internal client relationships

Other duties

• Develop and execute internal communications with subunit colleagues and across VCU as it relates to current programs, priorities and initiatives
• Support the communications and marketing infrastructure practice within IES
• Design and produce external and internal communications and marketing collateral including, but not limited to: web, landing pages, social content, mass mail, stories, print materials, newsletters and podcasts
• Support IES brand strategies and sub-brand plans
• Support IES outreach and related engagement opportunities

As a member of the Office of IES, the incumbent will promote a climate of trust, honesty, and integrity where all people are valued and where differences are recognized as an asset. Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with short- and long-term project or task management
• Demonstrated ability to build trust and establish and maintain a brand’s identity among multiple target audiences
• A demonstrated commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• A strong commitment to ethics, to advancing institutional values and to social justice
• Knowledgeable of contemporary print and digital design
• Demonstrated design print and design experience
• Demonstrated experience in visual campaign development
• Experience in the management of multiple communications projects simultaneously
• In-depth knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite software
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to work independently and in collaborative teams, while meeting deadlines
• Innovative and creative; self-motivated and organized

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in executive and administration communications, public relations or related field;
• Minimum of 1 year experience in higher education or community-engaged organization
• Experience providing assistance in the planning of specialized websites, promotions, and events
• Experience in developing and implementing an integrated design strategy
• Knowledgeable of user experience practices
• Demonstrated ability to implement campaign design across multiple platforms, to include social media, websites, paid media assets and print collateral
• Ability to design and code HTML emails using an online email client such as MailChimp
• Experience in ensuring correct implementation of brand standards
• Knowledgeable of the print production process, press file setup, project bidding and press checks

Job Open Date 07/02/2021 Remove from posting on or before Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants
Please provide:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Diversity Statement
- Please also include 5 art or design samples. Digital portfolios are accepted as well. Additional Information Quick Link https://www.vcujobs.com/postings/107523 Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Optional & Required Documents
Required Documents

1. Cover Letter/Letter of Application
2. Resume
3. Diversity Statement (Required for all Faculty)

Optional Documents

1. Other Document