Communications and Marketing Specialist
The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
Overview The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) invites applications for a Communications and Marketing Specialist within the Department of Agricultural Communication, Education, and Leadership (ACEL). The role develops and executes comprehensive communication and marketing strategies to advance ACEL’s teaching, research, and Extension missions at local, state, national, and international levels. The position is structured with 50% effort supporting department-wide communication and marketing and 50% effort dedicated to the OSU Leadership Center, a key Extension function housed within ACEL. The Communications and Marketing Specialist reports to the Department Chair and collaborates with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external partners to increase visibility, engagement, and impact through strategic storytelling and brand-aligned communications.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the planning, development, and execution of departmental communication and marketing initiatives for ACEL and the OSU Leadership Center
Create and edit written content including articles, press releases, newsletters, promotional materials, and digital communications highlighting departmental programs, research, events, and professional development offerings
Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to identify and promote accomplishments, impacts, and success stories
Apply professional graphic design, photography, and videography practices as appropriate and in accordance with OSU, CFAES, and OSU Extension brand standards
Marketing Strategy and Campaign Management
Develop, implement, and maintain strategic marketing plans that promote OSU Leadership Center professional growth opportunities to internal and external audiences
Manage marketing budgets and oversee paid advertising efforts, including creative development, media placement decisions, pricing negotiations, and performance evaluation
Monitor and adjust marketing strategies to improve reach, engagement, and return on investment
Stakeholder and Leadership Communications
Develop and implement a comprehensive stakeholder communication strategy that strengthens engagement with alumni, emeritus faculty, donors, industry partners, Extension partners, Leadership Center clients and prospective clients, and university leadership
Translate departmental goals, priorities, and outcomes into clear, compelling, and audience-appropriate messaging across communication channels
Support departmental and Leadership Center leadership with strategic communication needs to ensure alignment with CFAES and university messaging
Serve, alongside the department chair, as a departmental representative to the ACEL Alumni Board
Assist with departmental annual reporting and impact communications
Recruitment and Engagement Marketing
Partner with the Student Service Coordinator, academic program leaders, graduate program coordinator, OSU Leadership Center directors, and department chair to support recruitment and engagement marketing efforts
Develop promotional materials for prospective and current students and Leadership Center clients
Support communication and outreach strategies that increase awareness of academic programs, research strengths, student engagement opportunities, and leadership development programming
Web and Social Media Management
Lead website and social media content strategy, including storytelling and strategic narrative development
Manage departmental and OSU Leadership Center websites, social media platforms, and newsletters to ensure a consistent, accurate, and engaging digital presence
Monitor web analytics and social media performance metrics to inform continuous improvement of communication strategies
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
Minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in communication, marketing, public relations, or a related field
Preferred Qualifications
2–4 years of relevant professional experience
Experience in higher education, Extension, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations
Demonstrated experience with branding, digital communications, and multi-channel marketing strategies
Additional Information
This job profile is a Marketing Communications and Specialist 2 (S2 level) on the career roadmap.
The offer for this position will fall within this range based on internal equity, unit’s available budget, and the candidate’s qualifications
Details
Location: Agricultural Administration (0003)
Position Type: Term (Fixed Term)
Scheduled Hours: 40
Shift: Varying Shifts
Equal Opportunity
The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Key Responsibilities
Lead the planning, development, and execution of departmental communication and marketing initiatives for ACEL and the OSU Leadership Center
Create and edit written content including articles, press releases, newsletters, promotional materials, and digital communications highlighting departmental programs, research, events, and professional development offerings
Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students to identify and promote accomplishments, impacts, and success stories
Apply professional graphic design, photography, and videography practices as appropriate and in accordance with OSU, CFAES, and OSU Extension brand standards
Marketing Strategy and Campaign Management
Develop, implement, and maintain strategic marketing plans that promote OSU Leadership Center professional growth opportunities to internal and external audiences
Manage marketing budgets and oversee paid advertising efforts, including creative development, media placement decisions, pricing negotiations, and performance evaluation
Monitor and adjust marketing strategies to improve reach, engagement, and return on investment
Stakeholder and Leadership Communications
Develop and implement a comprehensive stakeholder communication strategy that strengthens engagement with alumni, emeritus faculty, donors, industry partners, Extension partners, Leadership Center clients and prospective clients, and university leadership
Translate departmental goals, priorities, and outcomes into clear, compelling, and audience-appropriate messaging across communication channels
Support departmental and Leadership Center leadership with strategic communication needs to ensure alignment with CFAES and university messaging
Serve, alongside the department chair, as a departmental representative to the ACEL Alumni Board
Assist with departmental annual reporting and impact communications
Recruitment and Engagement Marketing
Partner with the Student Service Coordinator, academic program leaders, graduate program coordinator, OSU Leadership Center directors, and department chair to support recruitment and engagement marketing efforts
Develop promotional materials for prospective and current students and Leadership Center clients
Support communication and outreach strategies that increase awareness of academic programs, research strengths, student engagement opportunities, and leadership development programming
Web and Social Media Management
Lead website and social media content strategy, including storytelling and strategic narrative development
Manage departmental and OSU Leadership Center websites, social media platforms, and newsletters to ensure a consistent, accurate, and engaging digital presence
Monitor web analytics and social media performance metrics to inform continuous improvement of communication strategies
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience
Minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience in communication, marketing, public relations, or a related field
Preferred Qualifications
2–4 years of relevant professional experience
Experience in higher education, Extension, nonprofit, or mission-driven organizations
Demonstrated experience with branding, digital communications, and multi-channel marketing strategies
Additional Information
This job profile is a Marketing Communications and Specialist 2 (S2 level) on the career roadmap.
The offer for this position will fall within this range based on internal equity, unit’s available budget, and the candidate’s qualifications
Details
Location: Agricultural Administration (0003)
Position Type: Term (Fixed Term)
Scheduled Hours: 40
Shift: Varying Shifts
Equal Opportunity
The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.
#J-18808-Ljbffr