Communications Strategist

Job Summary
The holder of this position will work closely and integrate with AU's Communications and Marketing to maintain a positive public image, promote college programs, and publicize student and faculty achievements in alignment with university standards. The communications strategist will be responsible for producing and designing content for the college's internal (student) and external (alumni, friends, and business community) newsletters, to include formatting for digital publication via email and on the website, and the college's Annual Report (digital and print).

Responsibilities

EVENT MANAGEMENT:

Provide assistance in planning, organizing, and carrying out all college events throughout the year. Generate content to advertise and market events and provide appropriate post‑event coverage to appropriate constituencies.

NEWSLETTERS & ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATIONS:

Utilize templates provided and/or endorsed by DCM to create, design, and produce print and digital issues of the college's newsletters and annual report by aggregating content from a variety of sources and creating content as needed. Utilize tools provided and/or endorsed by DCM (Poppulo, Emma/Marigold, listservs, etc.) to electronically distribute newsletters and other forms of communication or engagement (surveys, invitations/mailings, document repositories, calendar events, etc.). Meet content deadlines based on production schedules from the dean's office.

COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING STRATEGY AND PLANNING:

Maintain situational awareness of the college's priorities by attending college and departmental meetings and events, both on one's own initiative and as directed by the dean and his leadership team. Exercise professional judgment in planning strategies to effectively develop and carry out communications and marketing initiatives to promote the college's programs, student and faculty achievements, etc., to internal and external constituencies. Present those strategies to the dean and to members of the dean's leadership team.

CONTENT DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT:

Serve as the primary point of contact/interface with the college's subject matter experts to capture/draft and produce/edit information to be delivered through various communications outlets (e.g., college and university website(s), Jagwire, college newsletters, college webpages, social media, etc.). Schedule, coordinate, and implement communication and marketing meetings as needed. Create, coordinate, and select photography and videography for print and electronic communications. Maintain effective working relationships with DCM communications specialists, editors, graphic designers, photographers, videographers, etc. Identify, document, and disseminate internal blurbs, stories, videos, and/or news items as they pertain to the unit and notify DCM for consideration of broader dissemination (e.g., publication in Jagwire, media releases, etc.). Capture, produce, and maintain a growing library of digital content, testimonials (images, videos, quotations), and written content which vividly conveys the experiences, people, achievements, and initiatives of the college and its programs to support a variety of marketing, promotional, and informational needs.

WEBSITE MANAGEMENT:

Conduct routine reviews of website content to ensure it is updated appropriately; update content as needed and implement plans outlined in web governance. Work with technology staff to ensure ongoing improvement of the website, including phased updates and redesigns. Utilize tools provided and/or endorsed by DCM to update content on the web and conduct a regular review for broken links, misspellings, etc.

SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGEMENT:

Receive content from subject matter experts. Curate content for social channels to meet regular posting standards. Utilize tools provided and/or endorsed by DCM to update content on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Snapchat, etc.). Actively monitor and update social media participation, taking the organization to an active and innovative presence on established and new social media outlets. Actively monitor online reputation and make recommendations to enhance said reputation.

OTHER:

Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field and a minimum of three years of direct related communications/marketing experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree from an accredited college or university in marketing, public relations, or strategic communications, or related field.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Knowledge:

Proficient in Microsoft Office and other computer software/databases.

Knowledge of general office procedures, databases, operating systems, and spreadsheets in computer software systems.

Knowledge of photography/videography/visual and graphic design.

Comfort with learning and using content management systems and familiarity with Google Analytics.

Knowledge and experience in planning and implementing marketing/PR/communications campaigns.

Skills:

Excellent organizational and prioritization skills.

Demonstrated creativity and innovation.

Excellent verbal and written communication skills/storytelling.

Excellent interpersonal/collaboration skills.

Business software/computer skills to include proficiency using Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, PremierePro) and Acrobat Pro; proficiency with web editing/publishing tasks; creativity, branding, visual design sense, understanding UX, print design, familiarity with design software, HTML, CSS, typography.

Superior customer service.

Project management skills.

Abilities:

Ability to maintain confidentiality.

Analytical ability.

Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.

High professionalism.

Work well under pressure and manage deadlines.

Ability to organize and coordinate resources and projects in a timely manner.

Detail-oriented.

Proficiency with various social media platforms.

Ability to use the standard tools and software of the trade approved and endorsed by the DCM, while demonstrating a strong understanding of the following policies and resources: Division of Communication and Marketing policies, AU web governance, AU brand guidelines, AU expert database.

Shift, Salary, & Benefits
Shift:

Days/M-F (Work outside of normal business hours may be required)

Pay Band:

B10

Salary:

Minimum $52,500/annually; Midpoint $54,080/annually. Salary to be commensurate with the qualifications of the selected candidate within the established range (generally minimum midpoint) of the position.

Recruitment Period:

Until Filled

Benefits:

Health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays. Full‑time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months may be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program.

Location
Summerville Campus – 2500 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Augusta University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer welcoming applicants from underrepresented groups, including individuals with disabilities and veterans.

Tobacco-Free Environment
Augusta University is a tobacco‑free environment, and the use of any tobacco products on any part of the campus, both inside and outside, is strictly prohibited.

Job ID: 296022

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