Strategic Communications Lead

Strategic Communications Lead

The Oregon Sea Grant is seeking a Strategic Communications Lead. This is a full-time (1.00FTE), 12-month, professional faculty position. Oregon Sea Grant (ORSG) seeks a strategic communications lead to enhance the awareness of, access to, engagement with, and support of ORSG and its programs for internal and external audiences. In this role, the incumbent will be responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, and evaluation of a comprehensive communications program. This role blends strategic leadership with hands-on content development to ensure ORSG marketing and communications effectively achieve program goals. This role reports to the Oregon Sea Grant Director and is in regular communication, and works collaboratively, with the leadership team and program staff to develop and implement short- and long-range marketing and science communication plans and campaigns that advance program priorities and engage a diversity of audiences. This position oversees and directly contributes to the creation, writing, editing, and production of engaging content for Oregon Sea Grant, ensuring effective distribution across print and digital platforms.
Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job! Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don't wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.
Key Responsibilities - 45% – Strategic Planning and Leadership Provide leadership and strategic direction for ORSG's communications program, including developing, implementing and evaluating communications-focused strategic initiatives and objectives in collaboration with ORSG leadership and program personnel. Lead development and implementation of creative, innovative, cross-platform integrated marketing strategies and campaigns, including monitoring performance and impact. Collaborate with OSU University Relations and Marketing, OSU Extension and Engagement Communications and Marketing and other university units to promote ORSG's research, extension and engagement, education and outreach to diverse audiences and align marketing strategies, messages and content. Oversee digital platforms managed by the program, including the ORSG website and social media. Ensure created content and messaging are scientifically accurate, culturally inclusive, socially cognizant and compliant with university and NOAA brand and style guidelines and accessibility requirements.
30% – Product and Content Development In consultation with ORSG program personnel as well as program-supported researchers and scholars, develop, or oversee development of, content for print and digital products and the ORSG website and social media. Design and implement effective outreach and development campaigns for ORSG in collaboration with ORSG, OSU, and/or OSU Foundation personnel. Represent, and provide support for others to represent, ORSG at public events. Oversee, generate, and contribute to the production of items such as publications, photographs, videos, fact sheets, impact stories, reports, infographics, posters, conference proceedings, banners and program marketing materials. Develop, or oversee development, and manage production of ORSG branded materials, products and giveaways. Design, implement, and recommend evaluation strategies for ORSG-led events and campaigns, focused on impacts and outcomes.
15% – Management and Supervision Hire and supervise professional and student employees, freelancers and contracted services that provide web development, social media content and management, multimedia content and digital marketing communications. Manage allocated communications budgets.
5% – Professional Development and Service Engage in opportunities to build knowledge and skills in areas relevant to position duties. This includes building skills to effectively use emerging digital technologies and to advance equity and inclusion through communications and marketing work. Serve and advance the profession through active membership, leadership and participation in relevant professional organizations, communities of practice, workshops, meetings and award and recognition programs. Provide service to ORSG and OSU by working on program, university, regional and national committees and projects. Support special projects of the National Sea Grant Office and the Sea Grant Association and participate in the national Sea Grant Communicators Network.
5% – Other duties as assigned
What You Will Need - Bachelor's degree At least five years of professional experience in communications, marketing, technical writing, or related field. Strong writing, editing, and visual communication skills. Experience developing content for a broad and diverse audience. Experience planning and implementing communications or marketing strategies. Experience managing digital platforms and content within, including websites, social media, and digital marketing tools. Experience leading teams and managing personnel and contractors, budgets, projects and workflows. Demonstrated ability to prioritize work and manage and complete multiple projects with minimal supervision. Experience working effectively and cooperatively with colleagues across programs and levels of an organization. Demonstrated ability and interest in adapting to changes and advances in marketing and communication trends, tools and technologies. Demonstrated commitment to value, engage and include a variety of internal and external audiences and communities (including OSU and Sea Grant program colleagues, co-workers, researchers, students, participants, partners and community members) that hold a range of different cultural and political perspectives and values. This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
What We Would Like You to Have - Advanced degree, continuing education or certification in a scientific discipline or topics relevant to position duties. Strong evidence of the ability to develop, implement and evaluate integrated, creative communications and marketing strategies and campaigns in support of organization goals and priorities. Professional experience in communication of science and its societal relevance to general audiences. Experience in a university, government agency, scientific or non-profit organization. Experience collaborating with distributed or decentralized teams to support enterprise-level goals or priorities. Experience in graphic design, photography or videography. Familiarity with digital accessibility requirements. Proficient or fluent in a second language (especially Spanish).
Working Conditions / Work Schedule - Work is primarily on-site at the Oregon Sea Grant offices on the OSU campus in Corvallis, OR. Remote work may be possible, as agreed on between the employee and supervisor. Occasional evening and weekend work and some in-state or regional travel related to event and program support may be required. Travel to the HMSC Visitor Center in Newport, OR, as needed. May require occasional out-of-state travel for national program meetings or work outdoors related to program delivery.
Pay Method - Salary
Pay Period - 1st through the last day of the month
Pay Date - Last working day of the month
Recommended Full-Time Salary Range - $56,179 - $95,594