Communications Specialist

Description

The University of Virginia Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy is seeking an enthusiastic and creative communications professional to join our team as a Communications Specialist. The person will be responsible for helping plan, create, manage and publish content for the school’s website, digital newsletters, social media, and other assets to elevate our profile with students, prospective students, peer institutions and other key audiences with aim of furthering our mission to develop tomorrow’s leaders and generate new knowledge to solve the world’s toughest public policy challenges. This is a part-time, temporary position that reports to the Assistant Director of Communications.

The specialist will focus on graphic/visual production and social media content and strategy, working with Batten School stakeholders (Admissions, Academics, Student Services, Alum Services) to create compelling designs and social media content that captures the attention of our audiences and effectively communicates key messages. She/he/they will also have excellent writing skills and be detail-oriented, highly organized, capable of juggling multiple priorities simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, and able to take direction from written or spoken ideas and translate them into captivating designs and content.

Job Duties

DESIGN
• Develop creative designs for various projects that include social media graphics, digital newsletters, website elements, logos, large-screen monitors, Batten-branded swag, etc.
• Adhere to UVA’s brand and style guides while finding innovative ways to elevate the Batten School’s unique mission and vision
• Coordinate and incorporate feedback from multiple team members to finalize designs on deadline
• Help manage Batten’s digital asset management platform (Canto)

SOCIAL MEDIA
• Help plan calendar for social media content with a primary focus on Batten-generated content but also tapping into social communications of our UVA partners
• Compose and post both text and graphics on Batten’s Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter/X accounts, utilizing relevant and strategic tagging protocols
• Track results in real time for opportunities to amplify content
• Deliver regular reports and analyses on metrics with recommendations for potential strategy shifts
• Track broader social media trends in higher ed, specifically other public policy programs

OTHER
• Take photos and/or video footage of events on occasion
• Post content on Batten’s website as needed
• Set up and send digital emails through customer relation system (currently Marketing Cloud)
• Together with the Assistant Director, conduct an audit of the current website in preparation for a full-scale overhaul in 2024 (this will be outsourced)
• Other tasks as needed

Skills Required

QUALIFICATIONS
• 5+ years developing graphics, social media and other marketing and communications for mission-driven organization in the public or private sector
• Proficiency in content management and customer relations systems. Drupal and Marketing Cloud preferred but not required.
• Excellent organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to deliver high-quality results with minimal instruction and a short turnaround time
• Video editing a plus

Work Schedule

TBD based on candidate’s schedule and Batten School needs; this can be somewhat flexible from week to week.

Additional Info

This position requires some in-person presence at the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville, Virginia, allowing also for some remote work time. It is a part-time, temporary position currently designed for 20 hours per week for six months; this is somewhat negotiable. There may be an opportunity for a successful candidate to transition to a permanent and/or full-time position based on performance and on school needs. Timeframe to start is Jan/Feb 2024. Anticipated pay of $25-$35/hour commensurate with experience. Application deadline January 8, 2024.

Please provide a resume, short cover letter, and no more than three work samples that align with the job description. Apply through the University of Virginia Human Relations Temps Office. If you are not already in the temp pool, you may sign up here. For questions, contact James Cathro, Batten Director of Finance and Administration, jrc2jc@virginia.edu.

Questions about the position can be directed to Batten Assistant Director of Communications Cathryn McCue: cm2x@virginia.edu.