COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Job Summary

This position is responsible for the formulation and coordination of various forms of internal and external communication, messaging and marketing materials for the WVU Foundation. The Communications Specialist provides a high level of writing and editing, layout and graphic design expertise for various platforms, including printed publications and marketing materials, web, interactive and electronic communication. The Communications Specialist creates gift proposals, gift impact reports, feature stories, news releases and other written materials such as campaign case statements. The Communications Specialist must be able to manage the content creation, layout and design process, as well as multimedia such as photography and video. This position works closely with other members of the Communications & Donor Engagement team.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Assists with creation and coordination of fundraising communication and marketing initiatives for the WVU Foundation, WVU academic units, WVU HS academic units and clinics.

Helps manage communication projects including content generation, layout, art work, photography, and coordination with outside professionals, and reports the status of all projects to the AVP of C&DE.

Helps manages overall concept of each project to appropriately communicate the intended message.

Writes and edits material for internal communications.

Writes and edits gift proposals and gift impact reports.

Writes news releases and feature stories.

Creates, updates and manages campaign case statements

Writes and edits marketing materials such as one-pagers, brochures and displays for external constituencies.

Arranges and conducts interviews for print, video and online projects.

Helps produce and manage web site content.

Communicates with outside vendors, i.e., printers, suppliers, and other technical professionals when necessary.

Maintains and reports status of current and upcoming publications, their design, purpose and schedule using the Foundation’s creative brief process.

The position will interact with University leadership, vice presidents, deans, directors, chairs, and faculty and will have donor interaction for interviews, photos, consent agreements, event participation.

This position requires experienced knowledge of planning and analysis supportive of conveying targeted messages, communication of time-based media, and budget sensitive publications.

The position requires knowledge of design software including Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite.

The position requires the basic design background/education necessary to maximize utilization of such applications/equipment listed above.

Other communication assignments as needed/requested.

Qualifications

Education, Experience and Competencies:

Bachelor’s degree in strategic communications, journalism, public relations, multimedia, graphic design, visual arts, or related field is required. At least three years of progressive communication-based experience preferred. A writing/publication/design portfolio is required for review.

Certificates, Licenses and Registrations: N/A

Physical requirements

While performing the responsibilities of the job, the employee is required to talk and hear. The employee is often required to sit and use his/her hands and fingers, to handle or feel. The employee is required to stand, walk, reach with arms and hands, and possibly at times, climb or balance, stoop or kneel. Vision abilities required to perform this job include close vision. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

Other Duties

Work Environment: The position is expected to be hybrid in alignment with the WVUF work/telecommuting policy.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.