Communications Strategist

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership & Change Communications: - Develop and execute comprehensive communication strategies that align with FP&CC priorities and the broader OF&S cultural and operational transformation - Design and implement change-management communication plans to support new workflows, operational restructurings (such as the Facilities Support Center transition, Vendor Managed Inventory, and enhanced service-delivery metrics), and technology adoptions (e.g., TRIRIGA/IWMS enhancements) - Communicate campus-wide impacts associated with major capital-construction projects, infrastructure maintenance, energy management, and campus sustainability/carbon-neutrality goals - Serve as a strategic advisor to FP&CC leadership, crafting executive messaging, town hall presentations, departmental updates, and thought-leadership content - Create and manage a centralized communications calendar for FP&CC, ensuring a consistent and intentional cadence of information - Support urgent, time-sensitive communications regarding campus utility disruptions, weather events, construction-related road closures, or emergency facility maintenance Team Engagement & Content Development: - Serve as the primary storyteller for FP&CC, researching and writing compelling content that translates technical projects (architecture, civil and mechanical engineering, capital master planning, and energy infrastructure) into accessible, engaging narratives - Highlight operational accomplishments across custodial, grounds, maintenance, and project-management teams, showcasing their direct contributions to Rice's mission and strategic plan - Produce high-quality content across diverse formats, including newsletters, web articles, signage, campus advisories, and video Digital Platform & Brand Management: - Manage FP&CC's digital footprint, including the website, digital signage, and email communications, ensuring information is accurate, user-friendly, and timely - Oversee the visual identity and messaging across FP&CC communications, ensuring strict alignment with Rice University brand standards and OF&S guidelines - Utilize data, user feedback, and analytics to measure the effectiveness of communications campaigns and service messaging, continually optimizing the approach Team Dynamics & Collaborative Spirit: - Act as a versatile resource within FP&CC and the broader OF&S communications team, providing surge support for divisional priorities outside the FP&CC portfolio when needed - Actively seek opportunities to integrate FP&CC messaging with other OF&S units (such as Technology, Finance, and Public Safety), ensuring a unified divisional voice and breaking down operational silos - Maintain a continuous-improvement mindset by staying informed on emerging facilities and higher-education communication trends while contributing to a collaborative team culture - Approach challenges with a team-first attitude, offering support to colleagues and fostering a culture of mutual accountability across the division - Demonstrate a deep interest in both OF&S and the university's broader ecosystem and seek to understand how communication impacts the Rice community Additional Functions: - Monitor feedback and engagement to inform the continuous improvement of FP&CC communications - Stay current on communication trends, tools, and best practices - Perform all other duties as assigned

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis
• 3+ years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, internal communications, writing, employee engagement, or other closely related fields
• Exceptional writing, editing, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex engineering, architectural, capital-construction, and operational concepts into clear, concise, and engaging messaging for diverse audiences
• Demonstrated experience developing strategic communications, change-management, and stakeholder-engagement plans that support organizational priorities, operational shifts, capital projects, process improvements, and system implementations
• Proven ability to advise senior leaders, develop executive-level communications, and exercise sound judgment, diplomacy, and attention to detail when managing sensitive or high-impact messaging
• Self-motivated and proactive, with the ability to anticipate communication needs, assess stakeholder impacts, and develop effective communication strategies in a dynamic environment
• Knowledge of content strategy, editorial standards, voice-and-tone guidelines, and digital-accessibility best practices, with a commitment to producing inclusive content that meets university standards
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Google Workspace, Google Analytics, and content-creation tools such as Canva

Preferred

• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, internal communications, or a closely related field
• Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish, with a demonstrated ability to provide high-quality written and verbal translation supporting day-to-day facilities operations and team communications
• Experience using content-management systems and communications platforms, including Drupal, Storyblok, HubSpot, SMS communication tools, digital-signage platforms, and intranet solutions
• Experience using collaboration, project-management, and digital-accessibility tools such as Asana and Siteimprove

Benefits

• Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits