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Communications & Partnerships Specialist

NC State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States, 27601

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Posting Number PG194477EP

Internal Recruitment No

Working Title Communications & Partnerships Specialist

Anticipated Hiring Range $56,910 - $63,000

Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm

Job Location Raleigh, NC

Department CALS Communication Services

About the Department The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) Communications team leads the development and execution of integrated, multi-platform communications that clearly and measurably advance the mission, vision, and brand of CALS. The unit provides strategic communications guidance, marketing support, and partnership-based services for the college’s departments, centers, programs, and administrative units.

CALS Communications brings together expertise in communications strategy, content development, digital engagement, design, and stakeholder relations to elevate awareness of CALS’ teaching, research, and Extension impact across North Carolina and beyond.

Wolfpack Perks and Benefits As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What we offer:

Medical, Dental, and Vision

Flexible Spending Account

Retirement Programs

Disability Plans

Life Insurance

Accident Plan

Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs

12 Holidays Each Year

Tuition and Academic Assistance

And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.

Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.

Essential Job Duties Are you a communicator who thrives on building connections? As a Communications & Partnerships Specialist, you will serve as the essential bridge between CALS Communications and our key campus partners—including Academic Programs (AP) and the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service (NCARS). You won’t just manage requests; you’ll translate vision into action, ensuring our partners’ priorities align with the broader CALS strategy to create maximum impact.

In this role, you are the navigator for our campus units. You will proactively assess communication needs, guide partners through our creative workflows, and ensure every project is scoped for success. You’ll balance high-level coordination with hands‑on execution to keep our brand standards high and our messaging consistent.

Your Key Responsibilities

Act as the primary point of contact, providing expert guidance on communication pathways, timelines, and best practices.

Manage day‑to‑day coordination, ensuring inputs from various stakeholders are organized and projects move efficiently through the pipeline.

Draft and edit engaging short‑to‑mid‑length content, craft impactful emails, and keep website assets fresh and relevant.

Gather background materials and organize creative assets to support senior staff and streamline the review process.

You will play a pivotal role in a dynamic environment where your ability to organize and communicate directly influences the success of North Carolina’s agricultural research and academic programs. If you are a proactive problem‑solver who enjoys variety and collaboration, we want to hear from you.

Key Areas of Impact Communication (30%)

You’ll draft, edit, and refine everything from punchy web copy and engaging emails to high‑level background summaries. You’ll take complex information from meetings and documents and translate it into clear, brand‑aligned content that resonates with our audience.

Consulting & Partnership Advising (25%)

Serve as a trusted advisor to campus partners. You will help them define their goals and audiences, guiding them through the best communication pathways and workflows. You’ll be the expert who knows when a project is ready for the fast track or when it needs the specialized touch of our senior creative team.

Professional Knowledge & Strategy (20%)

Apply your marketing and communications expertise to build comprehensive project briefs. You’ll ensure every initiative has the right assets, documentation, and multidisciplinary alignment to meet our high standards and the specific priorities of your assigned units.

Project Orchestration (15%)

Keep the wheels turning. You will manage timelines, track action items, and maintain the records that keep our team accountable. Whether it’s coordinating logistics for an outreach event or providing status updates, you ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

Organizational Savvy (10%)

Navigate the university landscape with professionalism and discretion. You’ll collaborate across units, keeping the big picture in mind and ensuring our communications always reflect the values and protocols of the college and university at large.

Other Responsibilities

Stay Informed: Attend partner meetings and strategic discussions to stay aligned with unit priorities and gather the information needed for effective communication.

Coordinate Initiatives: Assist with the logistics of outreach activities and special events, ensuring the CALS Communications team stays informed on all details and next steps.

Support Leadership: Prepare the essential materials, summaries, and background briefs that senior staff need to drive projects forward.

Engage in Special Projects: Contribute to cross‑unit initiatives and pilot efforts as directed by leadership, offering a chance to work on varied assignments.

Ensure Continuity: Maintain clear, accurate records of meetings and project updates to keep internal collaboration and documentation running smoothly.

Adapt as Needed: Handle other professional duties as they arise to support the evolving needs of the department.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Other Required Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain professional relationships.

Strong organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple concurrent activities.

Proactive, solution‑oriented mindset with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Ability to translate partner needs into clear action items for CALS Communications staff.

Familiarity with strategic communications principles and client‑service environments.

Demonstrated reliability, professionalism, and commitment to collaborative work.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in communications coordination, writing, client services, partnership engagement, or a related field.

Experience working within a higher‑education, nonprofit, agency, or similarly complex organization.

Experience supporting multidisciplinary teams or serving as a liaison between units.

Comfort working in environments with shifting priorities or evolving program needs.

Familiarity with project tracking tools or collaborative workflows.

Experience with content management systems such as WordPress and project management tools such as Monday.

Experience writing project briefs outlining key themes, goals, deliverables and deadlines.

Experience writing website copy and familiarity with AP Style.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required No

Commercial Driver's License required No

Job Open Date 02/17/2026

Anticipated Close Date Open Until Filled

Special Instructions to Applicants Please attach a Cover Letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three (3) professional references.

Position Number 00107107

Position Type EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) 1.0

Appointment 12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Mandatory - Medical Emergencies

Department ID 110501 - CALS Communication Services

EEO NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability‑related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

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