(Hybrid) Senior Communications Specialist - Strategic Priorities

The Strategic Priorities Department at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Senior Communications Specialist.

About the Opportunity

As an essential member of the Strategic Priorities communications and marketing team, the Senior Communications Specialist is responsible for leading internal and external communications and marketing efforts for multiple operational units at the University, including:

• Division of Finance and Finance Operations
• Facilities Operations
• Procurement Contracting and Payment Services
• Information Technology Services
• Special projects as assigned

This individual will work closely with all members of the Strategic Priorities team, the Chief Financial Officer, the Chief Information Officer, members of Strategic Communications and Marketing, WVU leadership and administrators, and other colleagues across the University.

The Senior Communications Specialist will be heavily involved in supporting the Division of Finance and its subunits. This position will be responsible for the planning, execution, and management of all aspects of communications strategies, plans, and messaging that support the goals and objectives of the chief financial officer and chief information officer.

The Senior Communications Specialist will serve as a primary communications development and strategy lead, and must plan and execute a variety of communications ranging in levels of complexity, reach, and implementation while adhering to the WVU brand and voice.

This position will serve as a lead strategist for content creation, copywriting, editing, media relations, and social media, as well as a project manager for graphic design, web development, and additional strategic support as needed.

In addition, this individual will collaborate with technical support teams and IT subject-matter experts, serving as a bridge between the technicians who plan, administer, and support technology, and the people who use it. This role will also respond to all IT incidents, including after-hour IT emergencies, which often require prompt responses under tight deadlines.

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 (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

Strategic Planning and Management

• Support high-priority operational units, which requires a strategic, responsive, and strong communicator, to strategize, develop, implement, and manage comprehensive communications and marketing plans and projects from beginning to end, as well as monitor progress based on set goals and deadlines.
• Develop and/or maintain cross-functional relationships with leadership across all supporting units and Strategic Communications and Marketing to lead marketing and communication plans and related messaging that support the stated goals and priorities of the division/unit.
• Utilize research tools, critical thinking, and strong editorial capabilities in all communications.
• Serve as an internal resource to coordinate centralized communications support from Strategic Communications and Marketing and other projects as assigned.

Creative Direction and Consultation

• Assist supporting units with the creation of internal and external messages, and lead the development of strategies to stimulate public awareness, understanding, and support for projects, programs, and events.
• Determine marketing tactics that are effective in both cost and impact, including internal communications, external communications, print pieces, websites, social media, and video.
• Coordinate and/or provide support for major events, campaigns, or initiatives.
• Stay current with emerging trends in marketing, web design, social media, etc.

• Work with Strategic Communications and Marketing colleagues to support, strengthen, and extend WVU's brand and clearly articulate the mission, goals and identity of the University through the look, feel and tone of communications.

Evaluation and Reporting

• Determine and implement methods to accurately and regularly assess the effectiveness of communications/marketing tactics and makes adjustments as necessary based on results.
• Establish meaningful benchmarks to determine metrics for improvement and effectiveness.
• Provide regular reports to key stakeholders regarding success of communication efforts, including analytics, survey results, and other quantifiable and subjective measurements of effectiveness.
• Participate in department meetings, senior leadership meetings, and other project meetings as required.

• Requires a bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations or a related field
• A minimum of five (5) years of related work experience
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong experience in leading, developing, executing and managing multichannel communications and marketing plans.
• Strong experience and expertise in marketing goal development, tracking, and analytics.
• Strong experience with client management and collaboration.
• Exceptional written communications skills across multiple communications channels.
• Ability to quickly comprehend and clearly explain complex concepts to a diverse audience.
• Ability to provide marketing and communications leadership and expertise to teams.
• Ability to manage sensitive and confidential information with ease.
• Ability to communicate effectively with excellent command of the English language.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, oral communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to drive and manage discussions amongst groups of individuals.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently and work under pressure.
• Ability to meet deadlines and adapt to new or changing situations, priorities, and technologies.
• Ability to quickly learn new strategies, efforts, plans, goals, and objectives.
• Ability to lead a group of colleagues and manage competing timelines and tasks.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision and cooperate with diverse groups or individuals as a contributing member of a team.
• Ability to handle time-sensitive tasks or tight deadlines that may extend beyond normal working hours on occasion.
• Skilled proficiency with Microsoft Office suite.
• Preferred knowledge of Adobe Creative Cloud and its related design tools.

Job may require lifting objects up to 30 pounds. Regular office setting requiring sitting, walking, standing and filing is common. On occasion, the incumbent may be required to reach in high or low places for lifting of files and other office equipment.

This position requires daily use of a computer, keyboard, printer, and other audio-video equipment. The operation of the equipment requires above-average levels of finger/hand dexterity, eye-hand coordination and average or better visual acuity. Positions in this class are non-supervisory. At times, this role receives instruction on duties to be performed but may also work with teams autonomously. Work may be reviewed by the supervisor depending on the task.

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.