What are the responsibilities and job description for the Communications Manager / Assistant Director of Communications position at University of Kansas?
Position Overview
Preferred Qualifications
Additional Candidate Instructions
Contact Information to Applicants
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy.
The Assistant Director of Communications & Recruitment serves as the manager of communications team activities for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, with particular focus on storytelling and content development. The assistant director reports to and collaborates frequently with the Director of Communications & Marketing.
The assistant director plays a significant role in the visibility and consistent presentation of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences across multiple platforms. The assistant director helps tell the KU College's story through its website, social media channels, newsletters, and publications. Daily duties include writing and support for news/feature stories, employee communications, press releases, advertising and marketing copy, website content, social media, newsletters, speech writing, and more. The assistant director will help supervise student hourly staff for the College's communications team.
The successful candidate must be an exceptional writer and communicator with experience in a variety of fields, including internal communications, marketing/advertising, strategic communications, and compelling storytelling. Candidates will have experience writing for a variety of content in a deadline-driven environment, with strong news and feature writing skills, in particular. They will possess the ability to discern appropriate tone, language and subject matter to support strategic goals of the communications team and to elevate the profile and prestige of the College and KU.
Job Description
The assistant director plays a significant role in the visibility and consistent presentation of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences across multiple platforms. The assistant director helps tell the KU College's story through its website, social media channels, newsletters, and publications. Daily duties include writing and support for news/feature stories, employee communications, press releases, advertising and marketing copy, website content, social media, newsletters, speech writing, and more. The assistant director will help supervise student hourly staff for the College's communications team.
The successful candidate must be an exceptional writer and communicator with experience in a variety of fields, including internal communications, marketing/advertising, strategic communications, and compelling storytelling. Candidates will have experience writing for a variety of content in a deadline-driven environment, with strong news and feature writing skills, in particular. They will possess the ability to discern appropriate tone, language and subject matter to support strategic goals of the communications team and to elevate the profile and prestige of the College and KU.
Marketing and Communications (60%)
Research Communications (25%)
Special Projects and Additional Responsibilities (15%)
Position Requirements
- Plan, write and design email newsletters for various College audiences including alumni, faculty/staff/students, donors, community partners, peer institutions, etc.
- Maintain and manage content on the College's websites, in KU's content management system, in collaboration with the director of communications and marketing. Serve as a contact for updates across the site, ensuring overall accuracy, consistency, accessibility and brand alignment.
- Assist in writing content for recruitment materials to promote undergraduate and graduate programs, including program guides, brochures and other printed or digital materials.
- Write and report news releases, news stories and feature stories on a variety of subjects, including College programs, student/faculty/staff accomplishments and alumni profiles.
- Assist with presentations, correspondence, speech writing and campus email communications as needed.
- Help maintain content calendars to develop communications plans, student and faculty story schedules, and social media schedules.
- Uphold best practices and ensure branding consistency across the College and its platforms.
- Support other writing and editing needs of the College Dean's Office as requested.
- Assist with photo and video projects to support school communications.
- Other content marketing needs as assigned.
Research Communications (25%)
- Plan, write and design email newsletters highlighting College research.
- Assist with writing research communications for external audiences, including an annual research highlight publication and research metrics reports.
- Maintain relationships with faculty and staff to develop messaging and generate content.
Special Projects and Additional Responsibilities (15%)
- Supervise student communications employee(s).
- Assist the communications director in administrative responsibilities for the communications team, including budget allocation, project management, etc.
- Assist with the ongoing development of the College's strategic communications plan as it relates to communications materials and activities.
- Participate as an active member of the College staff
- Provide occasional support for in-person and virtual events, including receptions, recruitment events, alumni events, etc.
- Complete other job-related duties as assigned.
On-Site
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Journalism, Communications, Marketing, Business Administration, or a related field and at least five years' relevant experience.
- Excellent computer, database and word processing skills as indicated in application materials.
- Excellent writing and communication skills as indicated in application materials.
- Demonstrated ability to establish excellent working relationships with a variety of audiences as indicated application materials.
- Evidence of strong writing skills.
- Experience at managing multiple detail-oriented projects or tight deadlines.
- Experience with social media.
- Experience developing, reporting or writing feature stories and news coverage for varying audiences.
- Demonstrated ability to establish excellent working relationships with a variety of audiences.
- Experience writing and maintaining information on a website.
- Experience working with the media and members of the press.
- Knowledge of AP Style.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively within a team.
- Familiarity with the University of Kansas and/or College of Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Experience shooting and editing photo and video.
To ensure consideration please apply by the review date of 1/8/2024. A complete application will include the following: Application, resume, cover letter, 3 professional references, and writing samples:
- Two samples that demonstrate your writing experience; samples of news stories, feature stories or new releases are preferred.
- One sample demonstrating additional marketing or communication skills; this sample may be a newsletter, social media content, website copy, blog post, etc.
Heather Anderson
handers@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range
handers@ku.edu
Salary starts at $66,000, commensurate with experience
Work Schedule
Mon - Fri 8am to 5pm
Application Review Begins
Monday January 8, 2024
Anticipated Start Date
Monday February 12, 2024
The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy.
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