Communications Manager

Job Description

Reporting to the Head of the Department of Engineering Education and the Director of Communications and Marketing for the College of Engineering, the Communications Manager will plan, execute, and evaluate a variety of communications initiatives, projects, and platforms on behalf of the department that strategically align with the broader advancement goals of the college and university. The manager will develop an annual work plan in consultation with the two supervisors and is evaluated on the success of that plan.

The Department of Engineering Education (http://www.enge.vt.edu) is home to an internationally recognized PhD program in engineering education, along with an outstanding first-year program and a growing suite of interdisciplinary undergraduate programs. The department employs 29 full-time faculty including tenured or tenure-track professors, professors of practice, and instructors, along with 20 A/P faculty and staff. It serves over 50 PhD students annually, along with nearly 3000 undergraduates. EngE faculty collaborate nationally and internationally to conduct cutting-edge research in engineering education in four broad areas: teaching and learning, organizations and systems, ethics and social responsibility, and equity and culture (https://enge.vt.edu/researchfacilties.html). Our faculty hold degrees in diverse fields, including engineering education, higher education, educational psychology, and linguistics, as well as a range of STEM disciplines.

The Communications Manager must have a strong background in digital communications strategies, basic graphic design, writing and editing, as well as demonstrated experience in other communications skillsets. These skillsets may include working with subject matter experts to identify and develop stories about the department's research, writing for a variety of platforms and occasions, social media management, website development and maintenance, videography and photography and/or media relations. The Manager should also be able to navigate multiple and competing priorities in a dynamic environment. This individual is a member of the college's communications team.

Specific work responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, serving as producer and editor of newsletters and stories that highlight department research and other activities; participating in graduate student and faculty recruitment activities; directing, executing, and evaluating the department's social media and website strategy; overseeing other digital and print forms of communication (including photography and videography); and participating in related departmental and college events and activities.

Working within the advancement model, this individual's efforts must be strategically aligned to support the goals and priorities of the department, college, and broader university. The Communications Manager must follow established brand guidelines, university policies and procedures, and accessibility standards.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field.

• Strong written communication skills, including editing and copywriting.

• Experience interviewing and eliciting information from subject matter experts to support

strategic organizational communication.

• Experience working with communication platforms in a professional setting.

• Experience meeting deadlines and navigating multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field with

appropriate experience.

• Strong organizational/interpersonal skills, creativity, flexibility, self-motivation, and the ability

to thrive in a team setting.

• Familiarity with digital content strategy and management, including content management

systems and other web platforms as well as professional/organizational social media

management.

• Ability to work effectively with all university and external constituents.

• Experience with developing promotional materials.

• Experience with visual communication mediums, such as photography, videography, and/or

graphic design.

• Ability to work occasional evening or weekend events and to travel occasionally.

• Experience in a higher education, independent school, or non-profit environment.

Pay Band

5

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

$24 - $28 per hour

Review Date

7/15/24

Additional Information

The work schedule is hybrid with 1-2 days in the office, with the exception of special events.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

Additional documents needed:

Provide a portfolio or at least two examples of graphic design work, writing sample, or web design sampls with application.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Tiffany Cunningham at tiffanyc@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.