Communications and Project Specialist (Marketing Communications Professional II)

About the role

The Communications and Project Specialist coordinates the communications and project implementation strategies in support of the department’s overall goals. Under the general direction of department management, and the Lead Communications and Projects Specialist, the Communications and Project Specialist is responsible for the independent performance of the department’s communications and outreach.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates the communications and project implementation strategies in support of the department’s overall goals.
• Oversees design and execution of the marketing plan and all department marketing materials to increase awareness of programs and provides timely updates to the campus community.
• Develops and administers social media accounts to inform campus employees, students, and visitors.
• Communicates efforts by creating and delivering the appropriate media messages.
• Prepares all department publications and maintains oversight of the department website.
• Develops internal stories to communicate with external constituencies.
• Ensures consistency of brand presentation across programs, aligned with division and university branding strategies.
• Oversees scheduling of department outreach opportunities and events on campus.
• Captures high-quality event photography and videography and maintains the department photo library.
• Uses analytics to track the effectiveness of outreach, engagement, and projects.
• Educates administrators and staff regarding effective marketing practices and trends.
• Serves as the department liaison to other university departments to ensure that university activities support the desired brand presentation.
• Creates and updates standard operating procedures for department processes.
• Handles multiple work priorities and is accountable for own work results.
• Works independently on most day-to-day assignments with general supervision on new assignments or projects to ensure alignment with objectives.

Requirements

• Equivalent to a bachelor's degree in a related field and two years of relevant experience.
• An advanced degree in a related field may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Under general supervision, creates engaging content and develops and implements marketing campaigns, communication plans, and initiatives.
• Applies professional level knowledge of the marketing and/or communications fields, including working knowledge of a specialty area.
• Collaborates with various stakeholders to enhance the university’s brand image, promote programs and achievements, and engage with internal and external audiences.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or the equivalent from an accredited college or university in English, journalism, public relations, communications, or a related field.
• A minimum of four years of editing, writing, journalism, public relations, communications, or marketing experience.
• Prior relevant work experience in higher education.

Skills

• Working skills and knowledge of marketing, communications, public relations, branding, and/or related disciplines.
• Working knowledge of protocols and institutional etiquette related to public and media relations.
• Working knowledge of copyright and other applicable laws pertaining to publications and the media.
• Skilled in developing and implementing marketing and/or communications strategies and campaigns.
• Strong project planning and organizational skills to plan, organize, and manage multiple marketing projects.
• Strong composition and editing skills to quickly produce clear and concise standard documents for internal and external publication.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to create and deliver marketing initiatives and campaigns.
• Ability to provide lead work direction and training to others.
• Proficiency in using communication and marketing software and tools.

Benefits

• An array of health plans that include prescription drug coverage.
• Dental and Vision coverage.
• Income protection benefits including life insurance and disability.
• Retail plan through CalPERS.
• Tuition waiver for employees and dependents if eligible.
• FlexCash (in lieu of health and dental).
• Employee Assistance Programs.
• 15 paid holidays.