Director of Communications & Outreach

Description

Rare Book School, a 501.c.3 educational nonprofit affiliated with the University of Virginia, seeks a Director of Communications & Outreach to be responsible for developing and executing a plan for communications, public relations, and outreach activities in order to articulate its mission to a variety of publics and increase the School’s visibility both locally and nationally. The Director of Communications & Outreach reports to the School’s Executive Director and serves as a member of the School’s senior leadership team.

Job Duties

Responsibilities:

• Develop & implement a communications plan and create an organizational outreach calendar, managing coordinated outreach efforts across departments
• Maintain RBS website (WordPress), taking responsibility for regular updates and leading efforts to develop more inclusive and accessible content across the site
• Coordinate with relevant staff to advertise courses and events, and to announce deadlines for classes and scholarship or fellowship opportunities, taking the lead to schedule and draft messages for posting
• Develop print, electronic, and multimedia materials, including brochures, newsletters, holiday mailings, annual reports, video, and some materials for students
• Lead staff social media team and coordinate a social media strategy (via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, &c.) to enhance online presence, raise visibility, and engage multiple communities (e.g., RBS students, prospective students, donors, and broader publics)
• Coordinate RBS public lecture series and associated publicity, and manage RBS podcast/video feeds (Soundcloud/YouTube)
• Assist with donor relations and board communications
• Work with chair and members of the Promotion & Publicity Committee of the RBS Board of Directors to organize committee meetings and report on relevant matters
• Help develop annual communications budget and track departmental spending
• May include coordinating the planning and promotion of public events
• Other related duties as needed

Skills Required

Desired Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum three to five years’ experience, preferably in an academic library, cultural heritage organization, or other nonprofit organization
• Good knowledge of and experience working with Microsoft Office suite, WordPress, Adobe InDesign/Photoshop/Acrobat
• Excellent writing skills and the ability to speak persuasively about the School
• Copy-editing experience and exceptional attention to detail
• Ability to work independently and with a team
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Willing to work occasional evenings and weekends as needed, and to travel; must have a valid driver’s license

Additional Info

This is a full-time, exempt, benefited position. Starting salary ranges from $50,000 to $60,000, depending on the successful applicant’s experience and relevant expertise. Benefits include one free Rare Book School course per year; flexible hours; health insurance (including dental and vision); long-term disability; and 403b retirement plan, including employer’s matching contribution up to 5% (after one year). Assistance for moving expenses may be available up to $2,000.

To apply, applicants should send a cover letter addressing the topics below, a CV/resumé, and a writing sample to rbs_hr@virginia.edu by March 29, 2021. Please address in your cover letter (1) your competency and experience in regard to each of the desired qualifications, (2) why you are interested in working for Rare Book School, and (3) when you would be available to begin the job, either remotely (until able to coordinate a move) or in Charlottesville. Please note that although RBS staff is working remotely during the pandemic, the successful candidate will need to be present for in-office work in Charlottesville once public-health conditions make this a safe option.

Rare Book School is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusiveness.