Communications Specialist, Student Success Coaching

Communications Specialist, Student Success Coaching:

George Mason University’s Student Success Coaching unit invites applications for a Communications Specialist. George Mason University has a strong institutional commitment to the achievement of excellence and diversity among its faculty and staff, and strongly encourages candidates to apply who will enrich Mason’s academic and culturally inclusive environment.

About the Department:

The Division of University Life’s Student Success Coaching unit is a hub for student engagement for all new freshman and transfer students. Student Success Coaching increases the retention rate and academic success of incoming students by helping students set and achieve academic, career, and personal goals and connecting students to campus and community resources. The Student Success Coaching unit provides incoming students access to ongoing mentoring and coaching from professional and student staff that maintains university-wide and college-specific knowledge to ensure the success of Mason’s incoming student population.

About the Position:

Reporting to the Assistant Director for Training and Student Engagement, the Communications Specialist provides strategic and active management of all communication functions for the Student Success Coaching unit. This position is comprised of several main components: 1) management of communication needs for a portfolio of units, 2) establishing a strong relationship with key stakeholders in each portfolio unit by maintaining a substantial presence within the units and gaining an in depth understanding of portfolio’s communication needs, and 3) management of marketing needs for the Student Success Coaching unit and associated programs.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a communication strategy that includes media outreach and social media content creation;
• Research and write press releases, and content for the project website, infographics, blogs and newsletters;
• Map out the annual communication project calendar for each unit in assigned portfolio;
• Establish continuous working relationships with key stakeholders;
• Use input and feedback from stakeholders to create robust communication plans for the academic year;
• Management of the marketing needs for the Student Success Coaching unit and associated programs, including creation, design, and production of printed and web-based visual identity pieces; support marketing needs of I-Team units as needed; support the update and design of websites for the unit;
• Assist with the planning, promotion, and execution of engagement opportunities within the Mason community;
• Serve as the point person for any marketing needs with the Student Success Coaching unit in collaboration with the Assistant Director for Training and Student Engagement;
• Utilize various platforms to create and share marketing for Student Success Coaching initiatives and engagement opportunities across the campus community;
• Serve on committees and other projects as assigned by the Assistant Director;
• Other related duties as assigned by the Assistant Director.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, marketing, or relevant field or equivalent experience;
• Demonstrated functional knowledge of social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Hootsuite, etc.) for the purpose of communications and marketing;
• Exceptional interpersonal, oral and written communication skills with ability to communicate with a variety of constituents and departmental stakeholders;
• Highly developed organizational management and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to work accurately and efficiently to meet a multitude of deadlines and responsibilities;
• Commitment to diversity and ability to work effectively with a culturally and ethnically diverse population of students, faculty, and staff;
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in utilizing project management platforms (PMP) and content management systems (CMS);
• Demonstrated knowledge in the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro, etc.);
• Demonstrated knowledge in one or more of the following areas: success coaching, academic advising, orientation, disability services, veteran’s services, career services, student involvement, and student rights and responsibilities;
• Experience managing teams and multiple projects.

Special Instructions to Applicants  

For full consideration, applicants must apply for position number 03163Z at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.