Communications Specialist

About the role

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Division of Student Affairs is seeking a creative, collaborative, and strategic Communications Specialist to help elevate our communications and marketing efforts. This position will develop compelling content and communications that engage students, faculty, staff, and other university audiences while supporting the Division’s goals and initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Translate organizational goals and priorities into strategic communications and media deliverables that support the Division of Student Affairs and its units.
• Manage projects from initial concept through completion with a primary focus on graphic design, photography, social media videography, social media account management, special event support, special projects, and illustrative work.
• Collaborate with internal clients, senior leadership, communications and marketing professionals, student employees, and other stakeholders to develop engaging and effective communications.
• Work under limited supervision, making moderately complex decisions independently while referring unprecedented or highly complex issues to the Director of Communications and Marketing or other appropriate leadership.
• Meet with internal clients to review project requests, develop project plans, and see projects through to completion.
• Develop and implement a social media plan for DSA accounts, track analytics, and use insights to inform content schedules.
• Work with the Director on special events, attend events as a team representative, and ensure events run smoothly.
• Work closely and in a developmental manner with student staff to complete projects and assignments while helping students grow their communications skills.
• Assist the Director on central communications and marketing priorities such as the annual report, creation of one-pagers and special reports, development of materials for executive leadership, and other assigned projects.
• Develop and implement effective communication strategies.
• Manage internal communications including social media, blogs, memos, and newsletters.
• Draft content for online media or university websites.
• Organize initiatives and plan events or press conferences.
• Liaise with media and handle requests for interviews and statements.
• Foster new relationships with advocates and senior leadership.
• Collaborate with marketing professionals to produce copy for advertisements or articles.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, marketing, graphic design, journalism, or a related field and relevant professional experience, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications:
  • Strong verbal, written, organizational, and presentation skills.
  • Strong graphic design, visual communication, and editing skills.
  • Demonstrated creativity and ability to develop innovative solutions to communications challenges.
  • Excellent project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to accuracy and quality.
  • Ability to translate complex information into clear, engaging, and audience-appropriate communications.
  • Knowledge of social media platforms, content development, scheduling, and analytics.
  • Knowledge of photography, videography, digital media, and graphic design principles.
  • Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating with internal clients and cross-functional teams.
  • Ability to exercise sound judgment and make moderately complex decisions independently.
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, university leadership, and external partners.
  • Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism, and civility with faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a VCU staff member.
  • Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
  • Ability to respond to requests with a professional and positive demeanor; the desire to create a positive and enthusiastic environment within DSA.
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience working within a university, Division of Student Affairs, higher education, nonprofit, or comparable organization.
  • Experience developing communications and marketing materials for multiple internal clients or organizational units.
  • Experience with graphic design, photography, videography, and social media content creation.
  • Experience managing organizational social media accounts and using analytics to inform content strategy.
  • Experience managing multiple communications projects from concept through completion.
  • Experience working with and/or mentoring student employees.
  • Experience developing reports, annual reports, presentations, one-pagers, and executive-level communications materials.

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits
• Paid annual and holiday leave
• Generous tuition benefits
• Retirement planning and savings options, including tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs
• Employee discounts
• Well-being resources
• Abundant opportunities for career development and advancement