Communications Manager

Job Description

The Communications Manager will work collaboratively with and report to the Associate Director of Marketing and Communications at the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) to manage the internal and external communications for both VTTI and the Global Center for Automotive Performance Simulation (GCAPS). GCAPS is a VTTI-affiliated company that features the world's premier force-and-moment tire testing machine, tire modeling and parameterization capabilities, and vehicle simulation.
Additionally, the Communications Manager will provide support for VTTI’s marketing and communications team and lead select projects and initiatives.

This role will manage the bulk of GCAPS communications creation and deployment and contribute towards VTTI communications and marketing goals by:
• Creating and editing of a wide range of technical and proprietary information for proposals, deliverables, and other communications as needed
• Effectively communicating the VTTI and GCAPS missions via print, broadcast, and electronic media
• Facilitating media inquiries and collaborating with Virginia Tech Media Relations, researchers, colleagues and industry partners, and creating articles and demonstrations of the technological advances and achievements
• Developing and implementing media and public relations campaigns designed to target specific audiences
• Serving as the lead point of contact for document requests to potential sponsors and stakeholders, business leaders, and the general public

This position will assist in the composition, editing, formatting, proofreading and production of advertising and promotional material, presentations and technical documents, including proposal development as well as the content creation for related task assignments. The goal will be to ensure consistency in image, branding, grammar, punctuation, format, tone, and style as well as clarity, cohesiveness, and responsiveness to the specified deliverable. The communications manager will provide edits to the web developer as needed for the VTTI homepage and news archive. This candidate must have awareness and sensitivity towards multicultural issues and excellent organizational, interpersonal, and communications skills.

The selected candidate must be able to work collaboratively with a team of colleagues across organizational boundaries; interact with the media and the public; coordinate with the institute's partners in industry and government as driven by sponsor and research needs; coordinate with colleagues across the university setting; manage multiple projects simultaneously; and take initiative in a dynamic, fast paced environment

Required Qualifications

Master's degree in English, communications, business, journalism, technical writing with exception for a Bachelors with significant equivalent related training and experience. Writing and editing skills, with a demonstrated ability to understand and communicate technical information to a variety of audiences. Demonstrated computer proficiency required in office applications, publication and editing software (e.g., Microsoft Office and Adobe Suite).

Preferred Qualifications

Previous experience communicating with various media outlets. Previous communications experience in the fields of higher education, research, and/or transportation. Previous experience serving as a public information officer and/or spokesperson.

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Starting rate $60k - $85k, Commensurate with Experience

Review Date

11/10/2022

Additional Information

If selected for interview, the candidate must provide a portfolio of writing samples, online communications, and published articles relevant to this position.

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

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 military 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 Lisa Eichelberger at lisae@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: October 25, 2022
Applications close: