Communications Specialist.1 (Communications Manager)- 01913
Description
The Reed College of Media at West Virginia University is seeking applicants for the position of Communications Manager of Online Programs (Communications Specialist.1). Current online programs include undergraduate minors in Advertising, Entertainment Media, Event Planning, Health Promotion, Journalism, Public Relations, Sport Communication and Strategic Social Media, a master’s degree program in Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) and graduate certificates in IMC and Digital Marketing Communications.
The primary responsibilities of the Communications Manager of Online Programs include development, implementation and management of a sustained, targeted integrated marketing communications campaign for all online programs offered by the Reed College of Media. This position will also create and implement social media marketing plans for online programs and produce reliable, high-quality editorial content. Candidates must demonstrate a superior ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a diverse population of internal and external constituents, including superior speaking, writing and editing skills, as well as exceptional grammar and accepted journalistic style. Demonstrated experience in writing and editing, including the ability to distill and clarify ideas under deadline is required. The ideal candidate will excel in a fast-paced, deadline-driven work environment and will be able to work independently, as well as with members of a team.
Additional responsibilities include:
Responsible for spearheading the online programs’ (IMC graduate program and undergraduate online minors) integrated marketing communications strategy via web, print and media to support online program student recruitment efforts and build program visibility. This position reports to the director of online programs and works closely with the Reed College of Media’s senior communications strategist.
I. Strategic Brand Management, Public Relations (Earned Media) & Content Management
• Develop, implement, and manage a sustained, targeted integrated marketing communications campaigns for all online programs offered by the Reed College of Media.
•Enhance awareness, recognition and academic reputation of online programs through strategic marketing communications planning and effective communications oversight.
•Track, analyze and report performance of all marketing communications activities from earned and owned media channels.
•Serve as lead writer and storyteller for Reed College of Media online programs.
•Produce highest quality writing to support a wide range of projects. Create content for marketing and public relations activities, including social media and program websites. Write and produce program-wide reports, recruitment materials feature articles, press releases, student profiles, advertising copy, speeches, video scripts, blogs and much more.
•Oversee national partnership with the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), strategically leveraging all contracted deliverables and creating new deliverables promoting the WVU IMC program nationally.
•Manage weekly marketing communications through strategic priority-setting.
•Work with program director to develop and implement annual social media, PR and communications plans.
•Plan and oversee media events for both graduate and undergraduate online programs. Write and distribute press releases and announcements.
•Work with local, regional, and national earned media channels (television, radio, print) to promote IMC program.
•Develop relationships with reporters to pitch IMC program stories. Identify and pursue opportunities for outreach.
•Establish and maintain relationships with industry constituencies who may serve as key program liaisons or partners.
•Identify, write, edit and distribute news and feature stories, press releases and media advisories. Research, write, edit and manage content for IMC program e-newsletter and program press kit. •Spearhead innovation and effectiveness of PR & marketing programs through integration of multimedia, online and social media opportunities.
•Produce reliable, high-quality editorial content with minimal supervision or editing; edit the work of others.
•Work closely with the College of Media senior communications strategist and WVU News and Information Services to achieve successful development and placement of press releases.
•Work closely with University and College graphic designers on online programs design projects, making sure that edits and overall vision are clearly communicated.
•Research, write and edit content for other internal and external communication vehicles, including program websites, e-mail messages, social media announcements, print advertisements, program viewbooks, promotional brochures, and various informational fact sheets.
•Assist departmental and College of Media liaisons with writing or editing copy to ensure compatibility with College and university standards and communication goals.
II. Owned Media Digital Asset Management
•Oversee IMC program social media activity on Facebook, Twitter, Linkedln, Google+ and Instagram. Create and implement social media marketing plans for online programs. Track, analyze and report social media performance.
•Identify, propose and implement new social media opportunities/activities.
•Manage the WVU IMC student blog recruitment, selection and production process. Ensure content is applicable and frequent.
•Serve as web editor for online programs. Ensure that all web content is accurate, current, and relevant. Add student profiles, faculty bios, textbook information and overall programmatic content. Routinely coordinate with appropriate departmental web liaisons to obtain updated information for web site content.
•Develop, implement, and manage policies that outline how frequently photos are refreshed; how frequently and by what means content is updated and websites are audited; how IMC can work most effectively with WVU Web Services; how to ensure that the program websites adhere to required WVU guidelines concerning site design, palette and copyright; etc.
•Work closely with IMC Technology Specialist and College of Media web developer to maintain fresh, effective, up-to-date content and design of program websites.
III. Supervision
•Supervise and oversee work of social media/video graduate assistant/s.
First consideration will be given to those applicants who apply by February 12, 2016.
The Reed College of Media is an ACEJMC-accredited program with more than 1200 students enrolled in its undergraduate and graduate programs. The college has a reputation for projects that foster social impact in an environment that rewards risk-taking and experimentation. WVU is located about 70 miles south of Pittsburgh, PA, in Morgantown, which had been ranked as a “best” small city by a number of national media organizations, including Forbes, MSN, CNN, and Kiplinger’s.
Qualifications
Candidates must have a Master’s degree in Public Relations, Advertising, Integrated Marketing Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Communications or related field is required; along with at least 2 – 3 years of professional experience.
•Demonstrated experience writing and editing, including the ability to distill and clarify ideas under deadline.
•Demonstrated excellence in writing feature articles, press releases and marketing materials.
•Demonstrated understanding of online/owned media, with demonstrated ability to analyze social media trends and create strategic communications plans accordingly.
•Superior skills in media and public relations principles and practices.
•Demonstrated experience utilizing communications principles and practices to successfully engage with audiences both internal and external to the organization.
•Demonstrated superior ability to communicate clearly and effectively with a diverse population of internal and external constituents, including superior speaking, writing and editing skills, as well as exceptional grammar, spelling, punctuation, and accepted journalistic style.
•Excellent organizational and time management skills required in managing workload, multiple projects, project management, requests, deadlines, etc.
•Excellent interpersonal skills in order to communicate with others on/off-campus by telephone, written form, or e-mail.
•Skill in identifying the correct issues to be communicated, the appropriate audience, the method of communication, and he timing of the communication.
Job Posting: Jan 29, 2016
Posting Classification: FE/AP
Exemption Status: Exempt
Benefits Eligible: Yes
Does this position require a valid driver’s license?: No
Interested applicants can apply online.