Careers

The Department of Modern Languages (ML) is dedicated to providing students with a wide range of opportunities to study languages and cultures, to enhance their knowledge and appreciation of traditions, customs, and issues while building their proficiency in understanding, speaking, reading, and writing. Through studying the languages and worlds of others, our students gain a valuable international perspective that enhances their life personally and professionally in our multicultural society

The Associate Director of Communications develops, directs, and executes the overall marketing, communications and content strategies for the Department of Modern Languages. The objective of this position is to develop and implement a long-term, comprehensive communications strategy to increase awareness of the department's research and programs among prospective students, current students, alumni, scholars, donors, partners, and the broader community. The associate director plays an essential role in increasing enrollment in the department's growing slate of undergraduate, graduate, study abroad, and professional programs.

The Associate Director of Communications will work closely with the Department Head to develop a communications strategy that supports the department's key priorities and assures ML's and CMU's commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. They will also liaise with the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences communications team to ensure departmental communications align with college and university priorities. This is a full-time position.

Your core responsibilities will include:

Marketing, Communications and Content Strategy

• Develop and manage marketing and communications plans linked to department's strategic initiatives
• Implement an editorial content calendar to promote departmental research, programs, and activities
• Seek out, research, and write news stories highlighting department research, initiatives, and events; conduct interviews with faculty and students as needed
• Design print and digital materials to support all marketing and communications initiatives, collaborating with videographers and other content creators as needed
• Lead communications efforts around upcoming department rebranding
• Seek opportunities to collaborate with communications staff across the university to develop innovative interdisciplinary content
• Work with the department head to develop narratives for donor appeals and grant applications
• Liaise with Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences communications staff to collaborate on campaigns and amplify department news and content
• Lead crowd-funding initiatives

Program Promotion and Recruitment

• Establish and monitor multi-channel marketing campaigns to advertise the department's slate of academic, study abroad, and professional programs
• Create diverse array of digital and print collateral such as flyers, advertisements, brochures, and videos to support marketing campaigns
• Develop and implement strategic advertising and recruitment campaigns in collaboration with faculty program directors, Senior Academic Coordinator, Graduate Programs Coordinator, and Associate Director of Online Language Learning
• Create and manage lead generation email campaigns with third-party service provider; monitor and analyze results
• Write announcements and press releases to advertise innovative programs
• Work with faculty, staff and students to create posters and other promotional materials
• Train and supervise student language ambassadors to assist with department publicity and outreach efforts

Website Management

• Manage department website using content management system (Cascade CMS), incorporating SEO and digital accessibility best practices
• Conduct website benchmarking and regularly review, redesign, and create new web content to promote undergraduate courses, graduate programs, professional programs, and research centers
• Monitor Google Analytics and identify opportunities to improve and optimize website

Community Outreach and Engagement

• Design and publish biweekly newsletter to showcase department achievements among the broader community
• Elevate Modern Languages news stories on university-wide channels
• Implement outreach tactics to build robust database of alumni and testimonials
• Foster and maintain relationship with alumni through regular marketing communications
• Collaborate with external partners such as Duolingo English Test to promote joint events, announcements, and research initiatives
• Develop content and implement campaigns to support advancement efforts, such as Giving CMU Day and other donor outreach efforts

Social Media

• Develop and implement social media strategy and content across multiple channels to increase dynamic engagement and interaction
• Establish new social media channels as needed to reach new audiences
• Identify potential external outlets for posting content
• Strategically develop the department's social media followers by writing and publishing original content by target audience

Events

• Manage all aspects of major department events, including organizing logistics, generating marketing messaging, and developing promotional campaigns and content across multiple channels
• Support in-person events by locating appropriate venues, working with speakers on AV needs, arranging speaker travel, and ordering refreshments for receptions
• Write stories to report on major events, attending events online and in person as necessary
• Oversee departmental events calendar
• Advise faculty and staff on event organization
• Work with Dietrich College to promote events to the greater CMU community

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Other duties include:

• Coordinate travel for guest speakers and visitors
• Other duties as assigned

Flexibility, excellence, and passion are vital qualities within the Department of Modern Languages. Collaboration and cultural sensitivity are valued competencies at CMU. Therefore, we are in search of a team member who is able to effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Qualifications:

A bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing or media relations, or equivalent combination of education and experience is required. Demonstrated experience with languages and cultures as would be gained by university-level language study and/or study abroad is strongly preferred. Additional qualification include:

• 5 years of strategic marketing and communications experience
• Exceptional writing and editing skills for both professional and social media audiences are required.
• Experience interviewing diverse subjects for news stories is a plus
• Experience with content management systems (Cascade CMS preferred)
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite
• Must have an understanding of the effective use of social media channels to share news and engage audiences.
• Prior experience developing content strategy and creating original and engaging content.
• Must use discretion with confidential and sensitive materials.
• Demonstrated experience with or interest in languages and cultures strongly preferred.
• Experience with AP style preferred.

You should demonstrate:

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work well with a team and independently.
• Excellent time management and prioritization skills.
• Must be able to work well with frequent interruption, work under pressure, and meet inflexible deadlines.
• Must be flexible and be able to adapt well to new situations and evolving priorities.

Requirements:

• Successful background check

Additional Information:

• Sponsorship: Applicants for this position must be currently legally authorized to work for CMU in the United States. CMU will not sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this opportunity.
• Joining the CMU team opens the door to an array of exceptional benefits, available to all full-time Carnegie Mellon University employees. Experience the full spectrum of advantages, from comprehensive medical, prescription, dental, and vision insurance to enticing retirement savings programs. Unlock your potential with tuition benefits, and take well-deserved breaks with generous paid time off and holidays. Rest easy knowing you're covered by life and accidental death and disability insurance. For a comprehensive overview of the benefits awaiting you, explore: https://www.cmu.edu/jobs/benefits-at-a-glance.

Interested in this exciting opportunity? Apply today!

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