Communications Content Specialist

About the role

The Communications Team at Vanderbilt University College of Arts and Science (A&S) is seeking a skilled Communications Content Specialist to create engaging and informative written content that promotes and elevates the visibility of the college to both internal and external audiences. Reporting to the A&S Chief Communications Officer, this individual will serve primarily as a writer, requiring a strong background in written communications, a passion for storytelling, and a strategic eye for identifying and creating compelling content.

The Communications Content Specialist will plan, coordinate, and produce a wide range of written content across A&S’s many areas of focus, spanning the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. This role involves collaborating with faculty, students, alumni, and staff to convey the stories of the A&S community and communicate its impact on the world.

This is a hybrid role, with some days working in the office and some days working remotely.

Responsibilities

• Write a high volume of content, including news stories, feature profiles, social media posts, and other formats, involving interviewing, writing, and editing for different platforms (web, social, email marketing, etc.).
• Work with stakeholders (faculty, staff, students, alumni, Vanderbilt central Communications and Marketing team, Vanderbilt Development and Alumni Relations, Vanderbilt Admissions, and others) to identify, source, and write A&S stories that promote the college’s mission and demonstrate its impact.
• Ensure content aligns with A&S’s and the university’s branding and messaging strategy to elevate the college’s visibility.
• Identify and resize imagery for written content and post content to the website.
• Create and disseminate a monthly e-newsletter, including content writing, design, layout, and distribution through an email marketing platform.
• Monitor e-newsletter analytics, develop performance reports, present outcomes, and recommend improvements.
• Write and disseminate marketing and informational emails to update the community and promote offerings.
• Identify and source stories that align with the college’s mission and brand.
• Partner with team members to create opportunities for multi-media content, such as videos or visuals accompanying written pieces.
• Provide backup support to other team members and assist with website content updates.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree and at least 2-4 years of experience in marketing, communications, public relations, reporting, or a related field.

Skills

• Outstanding written communication skills, with experience creating engaging content for a range of audiences across various platforms.
• Proven ability to tell compelling stories that engage audiences.
• Excellent grammar, punctuation, spelling, and attention to detail.
• Prior experience as a content writer, with a portfolio showcasing diverse writing samples.
• Ability to distill complex scientific research into digestible, understandable content.
• Outstanding verbal communication skills and the ability to ask insightful questions to ensure accuracy and engagement.
• Deep curiosity and a thirst to learn about a wide range of topics, from anthropology to astronomy.
• Strong project management, organizational, and time management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple assignments, stakeholders, and deadlines.
• Ability to adjust flexibly to changes in priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact successfully with a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Solutions-oriented mindset with a willingness to assist wherever needed.

Preferred Experience

• Web content management systems and basic HTML.
• Email marketing platforms (e.g., Emma, MailChimp, Constant Contact).
• Project management tools, such as AirTable.

About the College of Arts & Science at Vanderbilt University

The College of Arts and Science sits at the heart of Vanderbilt University. Offering over 100 majors and minors, A&S is the largest, oldest, and most academically diverse school at the university. We are a collaborative and interdisciplinary college spanning the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. We hold a deep commitment to research, teaching, and service, with the goal of tackling society’s most pressing problems. We aim to educate the whole student, helping them find their passion and preparing them for lifelong learning.