(Hybrid) Communications Specialist - College of Creative Arts and Media

The Department of Marketing and Communications in the College of Creative Arts and Media is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Communications Specialist.

About The Opportunity

As a (Hybrid) Communications Specialist, you will be responsible for creating and implementing a strategic communication plan for the College of Creative Arts and Media (CCAM) that promotes an integrated system of communications and ensures that the needs of the CCAM are optimized, protecting the integrity and reputation of the College.

Benefits

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you’re ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family’s, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ’s.
• Wellness programs
  
  

What You'll Do

Writing and Media Relations

• Serve as the primary media contact for events across the college. Interact with local, regional and national media to arrange news coverage and collaboration opportunities. Provide support for and help facilitate media availability and one-on-one interviews related to events, research, performances, exhibitions, student activities, awards, etc.
• Pitch stories to various outlets to promote the School of Theatre and Dance, the School of Music, the School of Art and Design and the Reed School of Media and Communications. Develop relationships with reporters to aid in optimal cooperation and coverage. Work closely with WVU University Relations to ensure timely placement of CCAM press releases.
• Conduct interviews with faculty, students, donors and alumni to produce engaging written and multimedia content for distribution to internal and external press outlets. Write, edit and publish print, video and web materials aligned with the College’s strategic communication plan.
• Provide support for and helps facilitate media availability and one-on-one interviews related to events, research, performances, exhibitions, student activities, awards, etc.
• Conduct interviews, research and gather background information in preparation of articles on projects, programs, special student issues, events, etc.
• Write and edit appropriate announcements and releases and distribute to planned communication targets.
• Work independently to produce reliable, high-quality editorial content with minimal supervision or editing. Manage multiple projects with time-sensitive deadlines.
  
  

Marketing And Website Responsibilities

• Assist in identifying, shaping and managing high-quality content for the CCAM's news, announcements, recruitment activities, fundraising, and other media needs. Media venues will include online content, press releases, social media, collaborative publications, websites, e-news, and other communication modes.
• Serve as the primary author for the CCAM web content. Work with the graphic designer to add monthly e-news content to the website using web templates and/or web content management system.
• Support the CCAM development and recruitment activities by writing brochures, displays and ad copy. Ensure timely publication of written materials to aid in the College’s strategic communication plan.
• Manage production of promotional materials for events. Assist with identifying and coordinating the photography and/or videography for major and special CCAM events. Assist with special projects and other tasks as needed.
• Coordinate with administrators/faculty/school liaisons to obtain updated information for the website. Responsible for the timely removal of outdated information from CCAM web pages.
• Provide advice to administrators/faculty/staff regarding effective communications.
  
  

Social Media and Video Production

• Assist in producing promotional videos for internal and external distribution by writing and editing scripts that align with the College’s strategic communication plan.
• Conduct interviews and record high-quality videos for use in multimedia projects that align with the college’s integrated marketing communication strategy. Provide guidance to interview subjects and talent.
• Assist in adapting written content for use on the College’s various social media accounts.
• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in public relations, advertising, integrated marketing communications, marketing, journalism, communications, or a related field.
• A minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in researching, writing, editing of feature articles, press releases, web content, promotion and marketing materials.
• Demonstrated excellent writing and editing skills, including English, grammar, spelling, punctuation and accepted journalistic style.
• Ability to provide persuasive communications.
• Ability to write feature articles, press releases, web content, and marketing materials.
• Exceptional oral/written communication (grammar, composition, spelling) and presentation skills with superior language skills.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision.
• Associated Press and Chicago Style writing ability.
• Excellent organization skills.
• Ability to uncover the essence of technical information and explain it correctly to a specific range of audiences.
• Oriented to meet goals and deadlines.
• Ability to understand complex subjects.
• Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
• Ability to multitask and prioritize multiple goals.
• Ability to oversee the work of interns and student workers.
• Ability to maintain effective relationship and deal tactfully with a variety of people.
• Demonstrated experience working with photography and/or videography and /or social media.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively communicate with administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni and other executives/staff at the University levels and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Skill in identifying the optimum messages to be communicated, the appropriate audience, the method of communication and the timing the communication.
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of community and diversity.
• Ability to operate the necessary computer software, web-based, and other high-tech equipment to perform various communication duties; broad knowledge of web and various publishing/design programs.
  
  

About WVU

At West Virginia University, we leverage our talents and resources to create a better future for our state and the world. As West Virginia's land-grant university, WVU has three campuses that touch each corner of the state. The WVU System includes 518 buildings on 15,880 acres, Extension Service offices in all 55 counties, ten experimental farms and four forests.

From the groundbreaking R1 research of our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs of WVU Potomac State in Keyser to the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley — the contributions of WVU employees directly impact the 1.8 million people of West Virginia every day, no matter their role or position.

Service, curiosity, respect, accountability, and appreciation are the core values that unite Mountaineers, inspiring one another to work tirelessly and support others as they seek to reach new heights. After all, when you're a Mountaineer, impossible is just another mountain to climb.

Creating an inclusive, engaged, and dynamic learning environment is core to WVU’s academic mission. We welcome candidates who can contribute a range of ideas, approaches and experiences.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer and is the recipient of an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity. The University values diversity among its faculty, staff, and students, and invites applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.

Job Posting

Jul 10, 2024

Posting Classification

Non-Classified

Exemption Status

Exempt

Benefits Eligible

Yes

Schedule

Full-time