Communications Coordinator, School Of Architecture

Job Posting Title:

Communications Coordinator, School of Architecture

Hiring Department:

School of Architecture

Position Open To:

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details:

General Notes

The University of Texas at Austin School of Architecture is committed to creating a workplace in which all faculty, staff, and students are valued for their contributions to accomplishing the school's mission. We work daily to create a welcoming environment for all people.

The University of Texas at Austin provides an outstanding benefits package to staff, including, but not limited to:

• Competitive health benefits (Employee premiums covered at 100%; family premiums at 50%)

• Voluntary vision, dental, life, and disability insurance options

• Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays

• Teachers Retirement System of Texas (a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds)

• Additional voluntary retirement programs: tax sheltered annuity 403(b) and a deferred compensation program 457(b)

• Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses

• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities

• Tuition assistance

• Expansive employee discount program, including athletic tickets

• Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card

• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin Capital Metro buses with staff ID card

For more details, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards

Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship.

Purpose

The Communications Coordinator is responsible for establishing the goal-driven communications strategies for the UT School of Architecture, one of the top public architecture and design schools in the country. This versatile role requires the production of creative short- and long-form print and digital content while serving as the school's media relations expert.

Responsibilities

Communications Strategy

• Collaborating with leadership, faculty, and staff, develop and maintain an overarching strategic communications plan for the School of Architecture that reflects school and university priorities, and implement lower-level communications plans for specific activities as needed.

• Anticipate and plan for strategic communications needs for the School of Architecture, including (but not limited to): the promotion of large-scale initiatives, events, awards, and special projects, as well as the regular assessment of communication tools and vehicles to keep communications efforts aligned with relevant trends and school priorities.

• Assess overall communications effectiveness in social media, other digital platforms, and media relations using analytics tools.

Content Creation+ Social Media and Website Management

• In concert with school leadership and key staff in admissions and development, identify content themes and develop editorial calendars to share key messages across a wide constituent base that includes (but is not limited to): prospective students; current faculty, staff, and students; alumni and donors; industry and peer institutions; and the general public.

• Serve as the primary writer, content creator and copy editor for the School of Architecture, proactively developing creative and compelling short- and long-form content across a variety of channels. Research, write, and edit news releases and stories. Update and create original content for the School of Architecture's website. Construct and send regularly scheduled e-newsletters. Attend a wide array of events to promote the school's activities in real time.

• Manage school-wide social media accounts and maintain a robust social media presence. Craft innovative and engaging multimedia content to promote the school. Monitor questions and comments and engage in relevant social conversations. Utilize analytics to provide strategic direction and elevate communication efforts and focus. Work closely with others to produce and manage social media assets, including graphic design, photo, and video.

• Maintain policy and other documentation related to program-level social media activity. Train contacts in best practices and assist them in presenting an engaging, effective, appropriate presence on social media.

Media Relations

• Serve as the primary media contact for the School of Architecture. Identify and proactively pursue media opportunities, pitch stories, and manage media inquiries, strengthening relationships with local, regional, national, and industry media. Manage and grow database of relevant contacts, including journalists and potential distribution partners.

• Coordinate with faculty and staff to identify story ideas and ensure media coverage of successes and impact. Conceptualize, research, write, edit, and distribute a range of media content including press releases, tailored pitches, blog posts, op-eds, and official organizational statements aligned with School of Architecture priorities and messages.

• Manage media requests connecting reporters with faculty experts and program staff and assist others in the promotion of their expertise. Provide training and support to leadership, spokespersons and subject matter experts on best practices, media interaction and interviewing. Serve as the school's primary point of contact in the handling and coordination of media requests during times of crisis and emergency.

Internal Communications / Communications Support

• Support leaderships communications needs, including drafting speeches, talking points, digital announcements, and presentations, as needed. Provide messaging and editorial support for colleagues with an emphasis on creativity and sound editing. Serve as a brand enforcer to ensure consistency of messaging and graphic identity across all communications platforms across the school.

• Write and edit the school's internal newsletter and identify other opportunities to engage internal audiences around events and other leadership priorities.

• Collaborate with units within the school to support and streamline their communications efforts, including (but not limited to) working with student workers, advising unit leads on communications opportunities, developing guidelines and best practices, and supporting programs on special projects.

• Acts as a liaison between the school and the University Marketing and Communications Office.

Marginal / Incidental Functions

• Serve as an essential member of the staff in the Dean's Office Suite by assisting with the completion of various administrative tasks, as needed. Other related functions, as assigned. Contributes to a positive and collegial work environment. Occasional overtime work may be required during peak periods and events.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field

• Five years of professional experience in public relations, communications, or writing and editing publications with demonstrated use of creativity and correct grammar, spelling, and editing.

• Demonstrated ability to create content and communicate clearly using different channels and/or for different audiences.

• Excellence communication skills, organizational skills, and attention to detail

• Proven ability to multitask, balance multiple projects concurrently, and maintain timely schedules.

• Advanced ability with basic office software and social media applications.

• Must be able to work collaboratively and independently

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, or a related field

• More than the required amount of experience.

• Professional experience on a marketing, graphic design, or design/production team.

• Demonstrated experience in any, or all, of the following categories/software: social media strategy development and campaigns, photography, videography, graphic design, website design, Adobe Creative Suite, Meltwater, and Mailchimp

• Demonstrated interest in architecture, planning, design, or fine arts.

• Knowledge of HTML

• Professional experience in higher education.

Salary Range

$65,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

• May work weekends and evenings as necessary

• This position is based in Austin, TX and is required to work on campus; however, the position is eligible for flexible scheduling and may be eligible for occasional remote work.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• Portfolio (PDF or link)

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

• Letter of interest

• Writing samples

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
• E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.