Communications Specialist-LTE

About the role

The Communications Specialist is responsible for the clarity, timing, and impact of all student-facing communication. A primary focus is the continuous audit and optimization of current student communications to ensure they meet evolving needs.

Responsibilities

• Systematically audit all existing student-facing touchpoints, including emails, web content, and portal messaging, to identify friction points and implement improvements.
• Create and execute a comprehensive "onboarding" communication roadmap that guides admitted students through the transition to campus life, specifically aimed at increasing yield.
• Partner with departments to map their independent messaging schedules into a unified "Master Communications Calendar" that prevents message fatigue and ensures students receive the right information at the right time.
• Develop and refine targeted communication campaigns for current students focused on academic milestones, registration deadlines, and campus resources to improve year-over-year retention.
• Regularly gather and analyze student feedback via surveys or focus groups to ensure communication addresses the real-world anxieties and hurdles of the current student body, and use those insights to continuously refine messaging, channels, and strategies.
• Design and implement "nudge" strategies (SMS, portal alerts, and email) that use behavioral science principles to encourage students to complete critical administrative tasks like FAFSA renewal or registration.
• Act as a "translator" for complex institutional processes, such as Financial Aid, converting dense bureaucratic jargon into clear, empathetic, and actionable content for students and families.
• Serve as an editor for departmental communications to ensure absolute accuracy, adherence to AP Style, and a consistent institutional brand voice.
• Establish and monitor KPIs for communication effectiveness (e.g., engagement rates, sentiment analysis) and provide regular reports to leadership with recommendations for iterative improvement.
• Evaluate and adopt emerging communication platforms and digital trends to ensure the College reaches students where they are most active, transitioning static content into interactive or mobile-first formats that drive higher engagement.

Qualifications

• Excellent writing, editing, grammar, and English language skills to deliver high-quality content.
• Familiarity and adherence to Associated Press style.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and verbal communication skills working with all levels of internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to create strategy and/or writing for internal and external audiences.
• Ability to manage highly confidential and sensitive information.
• Strong project management and organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to complete projects.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Experience using data to assess communication effectiveness and inform continuous improvement.

Skills

• Excellent writing and editing skills.
• Knowledge of Associated Press style.
• Interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
• Project management and organizational skills.
• Data analysis and continuous improvement skills.

Benefits

WCTC offers a wide range of outstanding benefits, including competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits package, generous time off and holiday schedule, eligibility in the Wisconsin Retirement System (ETF), opportunities for professional growth and development (including tuition reimbursement, tuition waiver), well-being activities to support personal and professional well-being, and a collaborative and supportive team environment.

Pay

Competitive compensation.

Schedule

Typical hours will be Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.