Communications Manager / Assistant Director of Communications

26814BR

College of Liberal Arts & Sci

Position Overview

The Assistant Director of Communications & Recruitment serves as the manager of communications team activities for the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, with particular focus on storytelling and content development. The assistant director reports to and collaborates frequently with the Director of Communications & Marketing.

The assistant director plays a significant role in the visibility and consistent presentation of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences across multiple platforms. The assistant director helps tell the KU College’s story through its website, social media channels, newsletters, and publications. Daily duties include writing and support for news/feature stories, employee communications, press releases, advertising and marketing copy, website content, social media, newsletters, speech writing, and more. The assistant director will help supervise student hourly staff for the College’s communications team.

The successful candidate must be an exceptional writer and communicator with experience in a variety of fields, including internal communications, marketing/advertising, strategic communications, and compelling storytelling. Candidates will have experience writing for a variety of content in a deadline-driven environment, with strong news and feature writing skills, in particular. They will possess the ability to discern appropriate tone, language and subject matter to support strategic goals of the communications team and to elevate the profile and prestige of the College and KU.

Job Description

Marketing and Communications (60%)

• Plan, write and design email newsletters for various College audiences including alumni, faculty/staff/students, donors, community partners, peer institutions, etc.
• Maintain and manage content on the College’s websites, in KU's content management system, in collaboration with the director of communications and marketing. Serve as a contact for updates across the site, ensuring overall accuracy, consistency, accessibility and brand alignment.
• Assist in writing content for recruitment materials to promote undergraduate and graduate programs, including program guides, brochures and other printed or digital materials.
• Write and report news releases, news stories and feature stories on a variety of subjects, including College programs, student/faculty/staff accomplishments and alumni profiles.
• Assist with presentations, correspondence, speech writing and campus email communications as needed.
• Help maintain content calendars to develop communications plans, student and faculty story schedules, and social media schedules.
• Uphold best practices and ensure branding consistency across the College and its platforms.
• Support other writing and editing needs of the College Dean’s Office as requested.
• Assist with photo and video projects to support school communications.
• Other content marketing needs as assigned.

• Plan, write and design email newsletters highlighting College research.
• Assist with writing research communications for external audiences, including an annual research highlight publication and research metrics reports.
• Maintain relationships with faculty and staff to develop messaging and generate content.

• Supervise student communications employee(s).
• Assist the communications director in administrative responsibilities for the communications team, including budget allocation, project management, etc.
• Assist with the ongoing development of the College's strategic communications plan as it relates to communications materials and activities.
• Participate as an active member of the College staff
• Provide occasional support for in-person and virtual events, including receptions, recruitment events, alumni events, etc.
• Complete other job-related duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

On-Site

Required Qualifications

Preferred Qualifications

Contact Information to Applicants

Heather Anderson
[email protected]

Additional Candidate Instruction

To ensure consideration please apply by the review date of 1/8/2024. A complete application will include the following: Application, resume, cover letter, 3 professional references, and writing samples:

• Two samples that demonstrate your writing experience; samples of news stories, feature stories or new releases are preferred.
• One sample demonstrating additional marketing or communication skills; this sample may be a newsletter, social media content, website copy, blog post, etc.

Advertised Salary Range

Salary starts at $66,000, commensurate with experience

Application Review Begins

08-Jan-2024

Anticipated Start Date

12-Feb-2024

Primary Campus

University of Kansas Lawrence Campus

FLSA Status

Administrative

Employee Class

U-Unclassified Professional Staff

Work Schedule

Mon - Fri 8am to 5pm

Job Family

Public Affairs-KUL

Work Location Assignment

On-Site

Disclaimer

The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX, [email protected], Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.