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Communications Coordinator



At VCU, we exceed through learning, research, creativity, service and discovery — the hallmarks of the VCU experience. As 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.

The academic and experiential offerings of the VCU da Vinci Center for Innovation aim to create T-shaped individuals who are anchored in a discipline and have the capacity and openness to span across disciplines. As a result, students are better prepared to engage in our increasingly global world because they have developed the skills and tools necessary to engage in difficult dialog, to disagree, to reframe failure, and make change. The da Vinci Center is committed to increasing diversity and inclusivity in entrepreneurial and technical ecosystems; recognizing that our students represent the next generation of innovators and creators. The students, faculty, and staff that make up the da Vinci Center community aim to create a culture of curiosity in everything they do. We believe that learning happens at the intersection of curiosity and collaboration.

In support of this mission, the VCU da Vinci Center has launched the Shift Retail Lab, a first of its kind multifunctional retail space where past and present VCU students can showcase their work to gain insights and test their products, services, and ideas with real world customers. Shift Retail Lab has been awarded honorable mention in the Urban Design category as part of the 2022 World Changing Ideas Awards for Fast Company.

Forbes ranks Virginia first as the Best Place to Do Business. Richmond, as the capital of Virginia, is located in the heart of the east coast economic corridor with more than half of the U.S. population within a 750-mile radius. It is home to Fortune 1000 companies and small start-ups.

Position Summary:

The da Vinci Center invites talented and qualified candidates to apply for the role of Communications Coordinator. This is an exciting opportunity for someone that would describe themselves as a leader and jack of all trades in the communications/design/marketing fields. They may consider themselves a “one person show” and enjoy managing multiple projects at a time. The ideal candidate will be a communications professional who has a deep understanding of the value that effective communications brings to an organization's stakeholders. The successful candidate will be one that works effectively in a team environment and understands how various communication methods fit together to form an overall message. The Communications Coordinator will be responsible for the daily administration of multiple communications-related functions to support the da Vinci team. This role involves managing websites, CRM systems, and creating public relations and marketing materials such as press releases, blog posts, newsletters, as well as digital and print collateral. Additionally, this role will support event planning for the da Vinci Center and Shift Retail Lab. The Communications Coordinator will serve as a liaison between university departments and external vendors in order to achieve impact on service delivery and student success. They will report to the Director of Innovation and Design and manage graduate students.

Duties & Responsibilities:
  • Plan, coordinate and direct community and media relations activities including the release of information related to the da Vinci Center activities through various media such as newspapers, radio, television, online news and information sites, and special publications.
  • Provide communication counsel and support to leadership at the da Vinci Center.
  • Meet with key coordinators and staff to identify internal and external communications needs and resolve communications challenges.
  • Prepare and distribute news releases, feature articles for publication, letters to the editor, and/or other pieces aimed at growing brand awareness for the da Vinci Center and Shift Retail Lab.
  • Collaborate with staff to develop communications strategies, materials and messages that build awareness of the services and initiatives throughout the community.
  • Manage and coordinate all aspects of assigned communications projects, including developing and implementing detailed communications plans and coordinating with other staff, external organizations and community members.
  • Coordinate communications campaigns to increase recruitment and brand awareness.
  • Assist in the preparation of speeches/presentations and coordinate the preparation of accompanying visual aids.
  • Oversee the content management for the da Vinci Center and Shift Retail Lab websites and CRM.
  • Coordinate merchandise and branding throughout the da Vinci Center and Shift Retail Lab.
  • Responsible for organizing and managing every aspect of various events.
  • P lan and execute various internal and external communications.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Undergraduate degree or training and work experience at a level that equates to a degree in graphic design, mass communications, marketing or related field.
  • Demonstrated experience executing multifaceted communication strategies.
  • Experience in personnel management and staff development; ability to motivate and supervise staff.
  • Experience in event planning.
  • Ability to function independently and as a member of a team in a constantly changing environment and the ability to take initiative, problem solve, and meet deadlines.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, interpersonal skills, and ability to work collaboratively.
  • Extensive experience in creating graphic and web design, social media and digital and print promotion materials.
  • Demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff and student environment or commitment to do so as a university employee at VCU.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • 5+ years experience in marketing, communications and design, with Higher Education experience a plus.
  • Proficient in T4, web design, and CRM management.
  • Ability to build strong relationships in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.
  • Highly skilled in project management
  • Proficient in Adobe Creative Cloud and Google Workspace.
  • Ability to think strategically.
  • Experience working in a university/college setting
  • Has a clear understanding of undergraduate, graduate and community audiences.
  • Knowledge of Higher Education recruitment processes.
  • Experience with innovation and entrepreneurship.
Additional Information:
All full-time university staff are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision and dental coverage, life-insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid-time off, 12 paid holidays and more.

Explore our robust benefit package here: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/university-and-academic-professional-benefits/

We’re VCU - more than 300,000 strong. A mix of attitudes, styles and stories. There’s nowhere like this and no one like us.
This isn't business as usual. It's innovation at work. We are unlike any business school you've ever seen.

Join us. You can be unstoppable here.

Salary Range: $55,000-$65,000



Position Details

Department: School of Business - daVinci Center
Employment Type:
UF - University Employee FT
Restricted Status:
No
FTE:
1
FLSA Exemption Status:
Exempt

ORP Eligibility: No

VCU Role/Title: Communications Specialist series (CM)



Contact Information

Contact Name: Lloyd Young

Contact Email: youngel3@vcu.edu




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