Assistant Director of Constituent Communications

Job Description:

Reporting to the Senior Director of Constituent Communications, the Assistant Director of Constituent Communications works collaboratively with colleagues in the Office of Communications and Public Affairs as well as key stakeholders across campus to develop and deliver Washington and Lee University’s messages to internal and external audiences through various communication platforms.

This individual supports the development and execution of the university's internal communications operations and external messaging, including content and delivery, and will help implement effective communications strategies to inform and engage internal and external stakeholders and to help W&L nurture its relationships with those audiences more broadly.

Washington and Lee University actively promotes a dynamic and inclusive environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in their areas of expertise.

Essential Functions:

• Writes and edits content for internal and external communications channels, including email, web, social media and print. Content includes university news, employee profiles and accolades, campus events, and student profiles and awards.
  
  
• Takes a lead role in the development and distribution of designated electronic newsletters including Columns Weekly for Employees (weekly) and Family Connection (monthly) for parents and families.
  
  
• Assists in the creation of content for the university’s internally facing websites, dashboards and other digital media, working collaboratively with Communications colleagues to ensure the proper distribution of strategic content across the platforms and to provide multimedia content in support of print publications and marketing campaigns for internal audiences.
  
  
• Collaborates with Manager of Social Media and Media Relations to create social media news and features about the university, including stories about students, faculty, programs and achievements, to ensure continuous dynamic content on the university’s social media platforms and web pages.
  
  
• Writes, edits and curates content for the university’s Event Calendar and Campus Notices.
  
  
• Serves as a member of the Communications Office content strategy group, participating in the development of story ideas and the strategic integration of key messages and institutional storytelling.
  
  
• Ensures brand and messaging consistency across all platforms of Internal and Advancement communications.
  
  
• Provides copy editing and proofreading services to campus partners.
  
  
• Contributes general writing assignments for the organization.
  
  
• Additional related duties as assigned.
  
  

Work Schedule: 8:30am - 4:30pm, M-F. The Office of Communications and Public Affairs offers a hybrid work schedule option with a combination of in-person and remote work.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications or related field required. Demonstrated success in developing and implementing organizations’ communications programs and strategies. Strong verbal and interpersonal skills. Strong working knowledge of communications best practices and ability to guide university messaging with diplomacy, tact, and sensitivity for all audiences. Ability to write and adapt copy for all communications platforms. Excellent copyediting and proofreading skills and knowledge of AP Style, as well as flexibility, creative thinking, openness to new ideas and changing priorities. Experience collaborating with team members to create impactful communications using various communications channels.

Proficiency in communications software and tools for web content management, blogs, intranets, social media, presentations and photo-editing. Ability to develop and deploy technology to further communications goals. Excellent storytelling abilities and the capacity to frame W&L's current and evolving story in a clear and compelling way to W&L faculty, staff and students. Higher education experience is preferred.

Experience collaborating with digital and design teams on communication efforts. Excellent team and relationship-building skills. High levels of integrity, accuracy, diplomacy, diligence and discretion are required, as are decision-making skills and a high degree of initiative. The candidate should demonstrate excellent organizational skills: must be able to multitask, maintain control and respond well under pressure and in crises, work well with diverse audiences, manage a heavy workload and meet deadlines.

Application Instructions: Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Resume, cover letter and three writing samples are required. Upload documents to the Resume/CV upload section of the application. You will be asked to provide names and contact information for three professional references.

External Applicants: Application instructions for external applicants are located on the jobs.wlu.edu or here .

Current W&L Employees: Apply from your existing Workday account. Instructions are located at jobs.wlu.edu or here .

Physical Requirements:

• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.
  
  
• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.
  
  
• Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.
  
  

Working Conditions: The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Types of Work: Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Position Type:

Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible

Minimum Pay:

$54,589.39 - Pay Commensurate with Experience

The university requires employees to become fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and new employees must provide proof of at least their first shot prior to the first day of employment. Boosters are required. Individuals may seek a medical or a religious exemption to the vaccination requirement.