Manager, Communications - Department of Neuroscience

Location: Saint Louis, MO 63110 | Scheduled Hours: 40

About the Role

Oversees the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of strategic communications, marketing, and branding initiatives for the Department of Neuroscience. Working closely with the Department Chair, faculty, and departmental leadership, this position develops integrated communications that promote research excellence, strengthen the Department's reputation, support faculty and trainee recruitment, advance strategic initiatives, and increase engagement among internal and external stakeholders. Serves as the department's communications subject matter expert and partners with School of Medicine Marketing & Communications, Advancement, Media Relations, and other university stakeholders to ensure consistent messaging and brand alignment.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Communications Planning and Marketing
  • Develops and executes the Department's annual communications and strategic marketing plan aligned with departmental priorities.
  • Develops communication plans supporting strategic initiatives, organizational change, faculty recruitment, and major announcements.
  • Develops and implements marketing initiatives that strengthen the Department's visibility, supports faculty and trainee recruitment, promotes departmental programs and events, and enhances stakeholder engagement.
  • Establishes measurable communication objectives and evaluates the effectiveness of communications and marketing initiatives using analytics and other performance metrics.
  • Ensures consistency in departmental messaging, branding, and visual identity across all communication channels.
• Research, Innovation and External Engagement
  • Creates and delivers communications that showcase faculty discoveries, scholarly publications, grants, awards, innovation initiatives, and other departmental accomplishments.
  • Translates complex neuroscience research and innovation activities into engaging communications tailored for scientific, clinical, industry, donor, alumni, media, community, and public audiences.
  • Coordinates research, innovation, and commercialization communications in partnership with the Director of Faculty Innovation & Strategic Partnerships, School of Medicine Marketing & Communications, Advancement, and other university partners.
  • Develops communication materials supporting strategic partnerships, innovation initiatives, community outreach, scientific events, and public engagement activities.
  • Supports public engagement, scientific outreach, and community-facing initiatives that strengthen awareness of the Department's research and innovation enterprise.
• Digital Communications, Publications and Brand Management
  • Provides strategic oversight and ongoing management of the Department's website, social media platforms, newsletters, and other digital communication channels to ensure timely, accurate, and engaging content.
  • Produces, edits, publishes, and manages the Department's recurring internal newsletter and leads the creation and launches of a semi-annual external publication that showcases research excellence, innovation, faculty accomplishments, strategic partnerships, and departmental impact.
  • Maintains an editorial calendar to coordinate communications across digital platforms, publications, research announcements, faculty accomplishments, recruitment activities, and major departmental events.
  • Creates and coordinates written, visual, digital, and multimedia content supporting departmental communications, marketing, recruitment, innovation initiatives, publications, and public engagement.
  • Ensures communications align with Washington University branding standards and monitors the effectiveness of digital communications through analytics and continuous improvement.
• Executive Communications and Leadership Support
  • Prepares presentations, talking points, annual reports, award nominations, and executive communications that support the Department Chair and departmental leadership.
  • Drafts, edits, and coordinates letters of support, nomination letters, award submissions, faculty recognition materials, and other executive correspondence supporting faculty, trainees, and departmental initiatives.
  • Develops communications and marketing materials supporting faculty, staff, trainee, and student recruitment and retention.
  • Partners with Advancement to develop donor communications, stewardship materials, campaign communications, and other philanthropic engagement resources.
• Organizational Leadership
  • Serves as the Department's communications subject matter expert and advisor to departmental leadership regarding strategic communications, marketing, branding, and public engagement.
  • Supports issues and crisis communications, when appropriate, in collaboration with institutional communications.
  • May supervise communications staff, student workers, interns, or vendors, as assigned.
  • Partners with departmental committees and working groups to support communications, public outreach, engagement initiatives, recognition programs, special events, and other strategic priorities, ensuring committee activities align with the Department's mission and communication objectives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
• Progressive management responsibility in the area of strategic communications, brand strategy, issues management, public/media relations, marketing, or related field (7 years).

Qualifications

• Preferred Education: Master's degree.
• Skills: Analytics, Digital Communications, Interpersonal Communication, Microsoft Office, Newsletter Management, Oral Communications, Organizational Savvy, Photography, Prioritization, Social Media Strategies, Videography, Workload Management, Written Communication.

Pay

$65,900.00 - $112,700.00 / Annually

Benefits

• Personal
  • Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
  • Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
  • Free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
  • Defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, combining employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.
• Wellness
  • Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more.
• Family
  • 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child.
  • Family care resources for continued childcare needs.
  • Adult care resources.
  • Tuition coverage for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years.