(Hybrid) Communications Director for Academic Support and Services - Office of the Provost

Description

The Office of the Provost at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Communications Director for Academic Support and Services.

About the Opportunity

The Communications Director for Academic Support and Services is a collaborative, creative and visionary communications professional who has a record of success in developing and executing integrated communications that elevate the visibility and success of assigned units while supporting the institution's broad marketing and branding priorities.

Reporting to the Communications Director for the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Communications Director for Academic Support and Services will develop strategic and mission-critical support for public-, faculty- and student-facing entities, including but not limited to :

• WVU Center for Learning, Advising and Student Success;
• WVU REACH Student Success;
• WVU Graduate Education and Life;
• West Virginia Public Education Collaborative;
• West Virginia STEAM Technical Assistance Center;
• WVU Center for Excellence in STEM Education;
• WVU LGBTQ+ Center;
• WVU ADVANCE Center;
• WVU Faculty Justice Network;
• WVU Women's Resource Center; and
• WVU Press.

This position may also lead communications and marketing efforts for new programs and initiatives at the direction of Provost's Office leadership and / or the unit directors, including high-profile collaborations with internal units and external agencies at the local, state and national level.

The Communications Director for Academic Support and Services will work closely with relevant directors, University leaders and external entities to drive strategic messaging, develop and implement internal and external communications, steer integrated marketing efforts, produce high-quality communications and marketing materials, manage crisis communications, and measure success and ROI through applicable metrics.

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

• Initiate and drive strategic communications discussions to advance the mission and vision of each unit and elevate its visibility at WVU and across West Virginia and beyond.
• Lead discussions to identify key audiences, set communication priorities, determine goals, frame timelines and benchmark measurable success.
• Develop and implement creative integrated marketing communications plans that align with the stated goals and priorities of each unit and reach their target audience(s).

Review and update plans at regular intervals.

Oversee and produce, by deadline and on budget, a variety of digital and printed communication materials and engagement opportunities in support of the unit's strategic marketing and communications plan.

This may include but is not limited to event planning and promotion, routine internal communications, promotional ads and materials, social media content, photos, videos, white papers, news articles, etc.

• Manage rapid response and crisis communications for each unit in coordination with University Relations.
• Manage centralized communications support from University Relations or outside vendors to produce high-quality communications products and external messaging.
• Serve as project leader and oversee the work of unit staff (when appropriate) and serve as a collaborative partner across internal departments and external organizations.
• Stay current with emerging trends in communications, marketing, web design, social media, etc. and implement them in units as appropriate.
• Ensure that the WVU mission, goals and brand identity are clearly articulated in all communications products.
• Determine and implement methods of accurately and regularly assessing the effectiveness of tactics, making adjustments where needed.
• Work directly with the unit directors and with the Office of the Provost's Communications Director, to establish meaningful benchmarks to determine metrics for improvement and effectiveness.
• Provide regular reports of successful communications strategies, initiatives and products.
• Prepare and manage budgetary expenses (when appropriate) associated with programmatic activities (in collaboration with budget officers for the various centers / units / initiatives).
• Participate in unit meetings, staff meetings, leadership meetings and other project meetings as appropriate.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in English, public relations, journalism or related writing-intensive and public sector-focused field (e.

g. political science or public administration).

A minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience in marketing, communications, public relations or similar fields.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Demonstrated leadership, management, communication and decision-making skills.
• Exceptional oral / written communication and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to manage, coordinate and supervise multiple projects concurrently.
• Demonstrated ability to work with multiple internal and external constituencies and people of diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to use independent judgment when prioritizing work and evaluating the criticality of various university issues while multitasking other job duties.
• Ability to work across disciplines and departments, as well as within the office, to finish projects and / or achieve goals of the university as a whole.

About WVU

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere.

Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

We are dedicated to creating an inclusive and engaging working environment and actively seek candidates who bring diverse ideas, approaches and experiences.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and received an NSF ADVANCE award for gender equity.

We value diversity among our faculty, staff and students and invite applications from all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, nationality, genetics, disability, or Veteran status.

Job Posting

Oct 7, 2024

Posting Classification : Non-Classified

Exemption Status : Exempt

Benefits Eligible : Yes

Schedule

Full-time