**INTERNAL ONLY** Communications Coordinator

University of Kansas, United States

Updated: 24 days ago
Location: Lawrence, KANSAS

27475BR

Housing Office Administration


Position Overview

*This is an internal search ONLY to current KU employees *

KU Housing Administration is searching for a Communications Coordinator.  This position is open for current Housing Administration staff as well as other internal KU employees. The Coordinator for Communications in Housing & Residence Life is responsible for internal and external communications and marketing efforts that engage a wide variety of constituents across multiple media platforms. Position duties include development and execution of strategic communications plans and promotional campaigns for both internal and external initiatives, with target audiences that include both prospective and current students, as well as parents, campus visitors, staff, faculty, community members, and vendors. The Coordinator is responsible for collaboratively implementing initiatives designed to recruit residents for Housing & Residence Life and that retain those students in a wide variety of housing options beyond their first year.

Reporting to the Director of Housing Services, the Coordinator serves in an external relations role as assigned and as appropriate with a variety of contacts including other campus offices, press, media, and vendors. The Coordinator for Communications must possess strong writing and editing skills; strong project management and organization skills; ability to work independently with initiative and accountability; and requires a high level of discretion, professionalism, and flexibility.

Housing & Residence Life is home to over 5500 students on the Lawrence campus in residence halls, apartments, and cooperative houses known as scholarship halls. Our office is strongly committed to promoting and supporting students from diverse backgrounds and identities through representative staff and equitable policies.


Job Description

40% Content Development, Delivery and Brand Management

  • Plans, writes, and edits content for a range of content types across multiple communications channels, including web sites, print publications, news releases, social media, email, newsletters, video scripts, presentations, and public remarks.
  • Updates and maintains all departmental  web pages in accordance with university content standards and brand.
  • Plans, creates, and posts social media messages. Evaluates social media strategies and platforms to successfully engage key audiences with resources, services, processes, and events.
  • Advises and consults with unit colleagues to develop communications plans, promotional campaigns, and messaging that engage internal and external audiences.
  • Integrates Housing & Residence Life themes and details with the university's overall message and brand. Defines and manages the department's image and message, maintaining accuracy and consistency across all types of delivery.
  • Assesses impact and reach of communications efforts for value, cost effectiveness, and continuous improvement. Implements changes and improvements to meet targets and outreach goals.  
  • Collaborates regularly with other offices at KU such as Admissions, Marketing & Communications, Public Affairs, Watkins Health, Student Affairs, and KU Dining to align communications and ensure accuracy.
  • Assists the with media relations, fielding and responding to inquiries and working with KU Public Affairs to develop stories.
20% Strategic Student Recruitment and Advising
  • Represents Housing & Residence Life in activities and programs designed to recruit and retain students to the University of Kansas and in on-campus housing communities.
  • Manages a recruitment schedule/calendar for purposes of partnering with KU Admissions staff at information nights, events, placement conferences, information exchanges, etc., as well as plans and directs Housing & Residence Life staff activities at “information tables” during KU Orientation and similar campus events (Junior Days, Senior Days, Crimson and Blue Days, Scholar Days, etc.).
  • Develops and leads workshops, information sessions, facilities tours, plus other related special events either as a partner with other KU offices or programs specific to Housing & Residence Life.
  • Travel (both in- and out-of-state) is required for this position and is largely seasonal, with significant travel requirements during specific/established times of the academic year.
25% Project and Event Management
  • Coordinates communications and outreach efforts that support recurring and/or special projects and events for Housing & Residence Life programs, services, and initiatives.
  • Builds and fosters collaborative relationships across the department and university to stay informed and abreast of new initiatives, programs, and services.
  • Plans and organizes events, as requested, to support departmental initiatives and strategic priorities.
15%  General Administration
  • Supervises graphic designer and manages the production and editing of publications, video, web content, etc. to ensure all brand standards and deadlines are met.
  • Develops working relationships with appropriate print, electronic, and digital services locally and within the University. Prepare specifications for printed materials and work with vendors to guarantee the best possible price.
  • Serves on department-wide committees and/or work groups as well as Student Affairs or University committees as available or requested.
  • Other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements

This position requires working on-site


Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, marketing, communications, English or other relevant field.
  • Minimum one (1) year of related professional work experience.
  • Prior work experience effectively managing multiple projects and deadlines as outlined in application materials.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills as demonstrated by application materials, submitted writing samples and interview process.

    • Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience translating complex ideas for a general audience through written and visual communications as demonstrated by application materials.  
  • One (1) year experience managing social media accounts for an organization.
  • Prior work experience articulating a strong commitment to diversity.
  • Experience collaborating with diverse populations.  
  • Experience reviewing and assessing the effectiveness of marketing and/or public relations activities.  

    • Contact Information to Applicants

    Sarah Waters
    [email protected]


    Additional Candidate Instruction

    A complete online application consists of:

    • Cover letter explaining how you meet the required and preferred qualifications
    • Resume
    • Three professional references

    Only complete applications will be considered.
    • Application review begins Wednesday March 27, 2024, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants is received.

    Advertised Salary Range

    $56,000


    Application Review Begins

    27-Mar-2024


    Anticipated Start Date

    15-Apr-2024


    Primary Campus

    University of Kansas Lawrence Campus


    FLSA Status

    Administrative


    Employee Class

    U-Unclassified Professional Staff


    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.


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