Communications Manager
Commonwealth of VA Careers, Blacksburg, VA, United States
Job Description
Reporting to the Head of the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and the Director of Communications and Marketing for the College of Engineering, the ISE Communications Manager will plan, execute, and evaluate a comprehensive communications strategy for the department that aligns with the broader advancement (development, alumni relations, communications) and recruitment goals of the college and university. The manager will develop an annual work plan in consultation with the two supervisors and is evaluated against the success of that plan.
The Communications Manager must have a strong background in writing and editing as well as demonstrated experience in several communications skillsets. These skillsets may include writing for a variety of platforms and occasions, social media management, website development and maintenance, videography and photography, enrollment marketing, media relations, and/or graphic design. The manager should also be able to navigate multiple and competing priorities in a dynamic environment. This individual is a member of the college’s communications team and the department head’s leadership team.
Specific work responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
Producing newsletters, email communications, and stories that highlight department activities.
Supporting student and faculty recruitment activities.
Managing department social media accounts, websites, and other digital and print forms of communication.
Coordinating visual assets through photography and videography.
Developing and distributing flyers for departmental seminars and events.
Maintaining an inventory of department-branded items for internal and external use.
Supporting department events where department updates are communicated.
Working within the advancement model, this individual’s efforts must be strategically aligned to support the goals and priorities of the department, college, and broader university. The Communications Manager must work effectively with all university and external constituents, following established brand guidelines, university policies and procedures, and accessibility standards. The Communications Manager must have strong interpersonal skills, creativity, flexibility, self‑motivation, and the ability to thrive in a team setting, and must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends, and travel periodically as needed.
Required Qualifications
Master’s degree in Communications (or a related field) or a Bachelor’s degree in communications (or related field) with equivalent experience.
Demonstrated work history of effective written communication, including editing and copywriting.
Experience with developing promotional materials.
Experience working with multiple communication platforms in a professional setting, including managing social media.
Demonstrated work history of managing complex, multiple priorities with deadlines, requiring organizational skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in Communications (or related field).
Experience with digital content strategy and management, including content management systems and other web platforms.
Experience with visual communication mediums, such as photography, videography, and/or graphic design.
Experience in higher education or non-profit environment.
Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime.
Appointment Type
Regular
Salary Information
$65,000-$72,000
Hours per week
40
Review Date
March 13, 2026
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
EEO Statement
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Heather Huddleston at heahudd@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
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Reporting to the Head of the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and the Director of Communications and Marketing for the College of Engineering, the ISE Communications Manager will plan, execute, and evaluate a comprehensive communications strategy for the department that aligns with the broader advancement (development, alumni relations, communications) and recruitment goals of the college and university. The manager will develop an annual work plan in consultation with the two supervisors and is evaluated against the success of that plan.
The Communications Manager must have a strong background in writing and editing as well as demonstrated experience in several communications skillsets. These skillsets may include writing for a variety of platforms and occasions, social media management, website development and maintenance, videography and photography, enrollment marketing, media relations, and/or graphic design. The manager should also be able to navigate multiple and competing priorities in a dynamic environment. This individual is a member of the college’s communications team and the department head’s leadership team.
Specific work responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
Producing newsletters, email communications, and stories that highlight department activities.
Supporting student and faculty recruitment activities.
Managing department social media accounts, websites, and other digital and print forms of communication.
Coordinating visual assets through photography and videography.
Developing and distributing flyers for departmental seminars and events.
Maintaining an inventory of department-branded items for internal and external use.
Supporting department events where department updates are communicated.
Working within the advancement model, this individual’s efforts must be strategically aligned to support the goals and priorities of the department, college, and broader university. The Communications Manager must work effectively with all university and external constituents, following established brand guidelines, university policies and procedures, and accessibility standards. The Communications Manager must have strong interpersonal skills, creativity, flexibility, self‑motivation, and the ability to thrive in a team setting, and must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends, and travel periodically as needed.
Required Qualifications
Master’s degree in Communications (or a related field) or a Bachelor’s degree in communications (or related field) with equivalent experience.
Demonstrated work history of effective written communication, including editing and copywriting.
Experience with developing promotional materials.
Experience working with multiple communication platforms in a professional setting, including managing social media.
Demonstrated work history of managing complex, multiple priorities with deadlines, requiring organizational skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree in Communications (or related field).
Experience with digital content strategy and management, including content management systems and other web platforms.
Experience with visual communication mediums, such as photography, videography, and/or graphic design.
Experience in higher education or non-profit environment.
Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime.
Appointment Type
Regular
Salary Information
$65,000-$72,000
Hours per week
40
Review Date
March 13, 2026
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
EEO Statement
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Heather Huddleston at heahudd@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
#J-18808-Ljbffr