Responsibilities

• Communications Project Management (35%)
• - Manage a high volume of communications projects with competing deadlines while maintaining accuracy, responsiveness and attention to detail.
• - Coordinate communications activities involving faculty, staff, students, alumni, university partners and external stakeholders.
• - Develop and maintain editorial calendars, project timelines and content schedules.
• - Monitor project progress and proactively identify opportunities to improve workflows, systems and communications processes.
• - Serve as a project lead for communications initiatives, ensuring projects move efficiently from concept through execution.
• - Anticipate needs, identify potential challenges and develop solutions that support successful project outcomes.
• Content Development and Storytelling (35%)
• - Research, write and edit news stories, feature articles, profiles, newsletters, website content, executive communications and other communications materials.
• - Translate complex research findings, policy issues and scholarly work into clear, compelling and accessible content.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, English or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of five years of progressively responsible communications experience.
• Exceptional writing, editing, interviewing and storytelling skills.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple high-priority projects and competing deadlines in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Strong interpersonal, relationship-building and collaboration skills, with the ability to establish credibility and work effectively with faculty, researchers, administrators, students, alumni and community partners.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex research, policy or technical subject matter into engaging content for broad audiences.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and professional judgment.
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to work independently while exercising sound judgment and managing projects from conception through execution.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred

• Master's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, higher education administration, public administration or a related field.
• Seven or more years of professional communications experience.
• Experience in higher education communications.
• Experience writing about academic research, public policy, public administration, government, criminal justice, social equity or related fields.
• Experience working in public affairs, public relations, government communications or mission-driven organizations.
• Experience supporting executive communications or working with senior leaders.
• Experience using communications metrics and analytics to evaluate content performance and audience engagement.
• Experience managing editorial calendars, communications workflows and complex multi-stakeholder projects.
• Experience with website content management systems, email marketing platforms and digital communications tools.
• Experience with graphic design, multimedia storytelling and video production.