(Hybrid) Communications Specialist - College of Creative Arts and Media, Dean's Office

The College of Creative Arts and Media at West Virginia University seeks a communications specialist to assist in telling the college's story.

About the Opportunity

The successful applicant will excel in writing and media relations. They will also be able to deftly manage marketing and website responsibilities. In addition, they will also provide content for social media and video creation. This position will report to the Director of Marketing and Communications for the College.

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

• Create and implement 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.
• Serve as the primary media contact for events across the college. Interacts with local, regional and national media to arrange news coverage and collaboration opportunities. Provides support for and helps 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. Works 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. Writes, edits and publishes 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.
• Writes and edits appropriate announcements and releases and distributes to planned communication targets.
• Works independently to produce reliable, high-quality editorial content with minimal supervision or editing. Manages 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.
• Serves as the primary author for the CCAM web content. Works with the graphic designer to add monthly e-news content to the website using web templates and/or web content management system.
• Supports the CCAM development and recruitment activities by writing brochures, displays and ad copy. Ensures 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 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.
• Provides 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. A degree in public relations, advertising, integrated marketing communications, marketing, journalism, communications, or a related field is preferred.
• 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.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• 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

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.

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 an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.