IT Communications & Training Specialist

This is a contract-to-hire role beginning with a 9-10 month term (depending on exact start date), with conversion to full-time targeted by the end of our current fiscal year, 6/30/27. Location: Hybrid (3 days onsite in St Charles, MO, 2 remote). Target start: Early September.

About the Role

The Communication & Training Specialist supports two key initiatives: an Anthology Refresh project and a new Data Governance program. This role develops clear, engaging communications and training materials to help faculty, staff, and students adopt new systems and processes. Responsibilities include creating training guides, job aids, web content, change communications, and other resources in collaboration with business analysts, project managers, and system owners.

Responsibilities

• Communications Development
  • Draft, edit, and publish written communications—including press releases, announcements, newsletters, FAQs, and how-to guides—to explain system changes, process updates, and project milestones in clear, audience-appropriate language.
  • Partner with project managers and business analysts to identify upcoming changes requiring end-user communication and build timelines aligned with project rollout schedules.
  • Maintain a consistent voice, tone, and visual identity across all materials, adhering to Lindenwood University branding standards.
  • Create and manage content on university IT services and departmental web pages, ensuring accuracy, organization, and ease of navigation in collaboration with the marketing team.
  • Design graphics, layouts, and visual aids to reinforce written content and improve comprehension for non-technical audiences.
• Training Materials Development
  • Develop training materials—including step-by-step guides, job aids, quick-reference sheets, and recorded walkthroughs—for university systems such as Canvas, Anthology, Slate, Power BI, and Halo.
  • Translate technical documentation and business requirements into training content suited for end users at varying skill levels.
  • Coordinate and, where appropriate, deliver end-user training sessions, ensuring technical accuracy with subject matter experts.
  • Maintain a central, organized repository of training materials and establish a review cycle to keep content current.
  • Gather feedback from training participants to continuously refine and improve materials.
• Technical Writing & Documentation
  • Write and maintain process documentation, standard operating procedures, and knowledge base articles for end users and the Data & Enterprise Applications team.
  • Document system configurations, workflows, and integration points in language accessible to non-technical readers.
  • Develop user-facing help content to reduce routine support requests for Halo ticketing and Docuware.
• Collaboration & Project Support
  • Serve as a communication and training resource on cross-functional project teams, including initiatives like Project Rejuvenate and Project Clearway.
  • Attend project meetings to stay current on scope, timeline, and system changes affecting end-user needs.
  • Collaborate with the marketing and communications office to ensure institutional messaging standards are followed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, English, instructional design, technical writing, education, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Minimum of three years of experience in communications, technical writing, training development, or a related discipline.
• Content samples for previous work will be requested as part of the screening and interview process.
• Demonstrated experience developing web content, including working within a content management system.
• Proven ability to translate technical or process-heavy information into clear, user-friendly written and visual materials.
• Strong project coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple deliverables against overlapping deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with strong attention to detail and editorial judgment.

Skills

• Proficiency with design and layout tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar).
• Familiarity with web content platforms (e.g., WordPress, SquareSpace, or similar) and basic HTML/CSS for updating and troubleshooting web pages. Experience with WordPress is preferred.
• Experience with instructional design principles and adult learning theory is a plus.
• Working knowledge of higher education systems such as Canvas, Anthology, or Slate is preferred but not required.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with technical and non-technical colleagues.
• Strong organizational skills and comfort managing a documentation library or knowledge base.

Schedule

Hybrid schedule: 3 days onsite in St Charles, MO, and 2 days remote.