Careers

Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

A unique opportunity for a communications professional with a well-developed generalist skillset. The communications specialist (CS) should be an excellent writer, problem solver, and project manager and will assist in creating, developing, managing, and evaluating marketing and communications strategies and initiatives that enhance the McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences' (MCSS) reputation and relationships. The ideal candidate will be intellectually curious, flexible, able to juggle multiple demands within a multifaceted organizational environment and have a demonstrated interest in science. This position, which reports to the Director of the McDonnell Center for the Space Sciences in Arts & Sciences, will collaborate with communications personnel in the departments of Physics and Earth and Planetary Sciences, and possibly other units.

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

The CS will assist in the implementation of communications strategies targeting key internal and external stakeholders with the goal of promoting the research profile and major activities of the MCSS. Specifically, the CS will support efforts in the following areas:

• Digital communications
• Research website support
• Communications liaison
• Social media
• Alumni communications
• Event publicity

Proactively engage with EPS and Physics department faculty and staff to stay informed about new scholarly activities, outreach efforts, accomplishments, and programmatic initiatives. Assist and support other departmental staff on communications-related duties as needed.

Coordinate with the A&S Communications team and assist in the production and execution of a variety of communications efforts and interact and collaborate with a range of colleagues from other units.

Strategy and Content Management

• Assist in the development, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive communications strategies that target internal and external audiences, including prospective and current students, staff, faculty, community partners, potential donors, and peer institutions.
• Cultivate, write, and disseminate stories across communication platforms for maximum impact. Gather information on current scholarly activities and programmatic initiatives. Solicit student and alumni testimonials.
• Create visually appealing content for electronic and digital distribution, including posters, flyers, and fact sheets.
• Connect department stakeholders with campus resources or external vendors as needed.
• Track metrics and regularly evaluate effectiveness of communications in order to refine efforts.

Digital Communications

• Primary responsibility for website content management and website content creation such as news briefs, feature stories, and photography.
• Develop and manage assigned projects such as newsletters and email marketing for internal and external audiences.
• Plan and funnel content to other Arts & Sciences and WashU websites and digital channels.
• Assist and support departmental staff on duties related to digital communications as needed.
• Assist faculty fellows with updates/redesigns of websites and equip them to maintain their research websites.
• Circulate news about department activities to Arts & Sciences and other University communicators for inclusion in publications such as the Ampersand and the Record.

Social Media

• Primary responsibility for MCSS social media content creation and strategy to increase unit visibility and engagement; manage existing channels as needed and/or provide content to university channels.

Event Marketing

• Coordinate event publicity and related efforts to extend campus visibility and community outreach: print materials, social media campaigns, video, advertising, and other marketing efforts.

Other

• Advise the MCSS Director on communications and marketing issues.
• Routinely interact with the A&S Communications team as well as a range of colleagues from other units.
• Assist as needed with alumni newsletters and mailings.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

• Occasional work outside normal working hours.
• Ability to travel to on and off-campus locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelorâ™s degree in communications, journalism, or related field.
• Experience in journalism, marketing and/or communications.
• Background and/or interest in the Space Sciences.
• Experience in translating complicated topics for a general audience.
• Experience with nonprofits and/or higher education.
• Expertise in effective search of historical records and content curation strategies.
• Outstanding analytical, organizational, and problem-solving abilities.
• Outstanding interpersonal and written/verbal communications skills.
• Ability to function confidently in an independent setting as well as collaborate effectively with departments, affiliates, and MCSS partners.
• Exhibit energy, vision, initiative, creativity, tolerance for ambiguity, sound judgment, and tact.
• Strong skills in website and social media management.
• Experience in any of the following areas: writing for the web, journalism, marketing, advertising, editorial or related field.
• Experience with, or willingness to learn, broadcast email and list management tools.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic communications and experience integrating the latest technologies to support communications objectives.
• Expertise with graphic design programs in Adobe Creative Suite.
• Adept storyteller with excellent writing and editing skills.
• Works effectively with a diverse group, including faculty, business leaders, alumni, students and staff.

Required Qualifications

College degree required and two years of related experience.

Grade

G09

Salary Range

$43,400.00 - $71,700.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO/AA Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the Universityâ™s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.

Diversity Statement

Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment â“ fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.

Applicant Instructions

When you are ready to apply, creating an account only takes a minute. Your account creates a candidate home page which we will use to communicate with you and allows you to apply for jobs and view your application statuses. The first page of the application offers two âœQuick Apply❠options. Quick Apply allows you to either use a previous application or create a new application using a resume to populate the work experience and education sections of your job application. If using a resume to populate your application, check to ensure the application fields populated accurately. You may skip the âœQuick Apply❠page by clicking âœNext❠at the bottom of the page. Documents may be uploaded in the My Experience section of the application. You also have the option to apply with a LinkedIn feature, which allows you to apply by using your LinkedIn profile to populate some of the job application fields.

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