Communications Manager

Reporting to the Head of the Department of Engineering Education and the Director of Communications and Marketing for the College of Engineering, the Communications Manager will plan, execute, and evaluate a variety of communications initiatives, projects, and platforms on behalf of the department that strategically align with the broader advancement goals of the college and university. The manager will develop an annual work plan in consultation with the two supervisors and is evaluated on the success of that plan.
The Department of Engineering Education (http://www.enge.vt.edu) is home to an internationally recognized PhD program in engineering education, along with an outstanding first-year program and a growing suite of interdisciplinary undergraduate programs. The department employs 29 full-time faculty including tenured or tenure-track professors, professors of practice, and instructors, along with 20 A/P faculty and staff. It serves over 50 PhD students annually, along with nearly 3000 undergraduates. EngE faculty collaborate nationally and internationally to conduct cutting-edge research in engineering education in four broad areas: teaching and learning, organizations and systems, ethics and social responsibility, and equity and culture (https://enge.vt.edu/researchfacilties.html). Our faculty hold degrees in diverse fields, including engineering education, higher education, educational psychology, and linguistics, as well as a range of STEM disciplines.

The Communications Manager must have a strong background in writing and editing as well as demonstrated experience in several communications skillsets. These skillsets may include working with subject matter experts to identify and develop stories about the department’s research, writing for a variety of platforms and occasions, social media management, website development and maintenance, videography and photography, media relations, and/or graphic design. The Manager should also be able to navigate multiple and competing priorities in a dynamic environment. This individual is a member of the college’s communications team.
Specific work responsibilities may include, but are not limited to, serving as producer and editor of newsletters and stories that highlight department research and other activities; participating in graduate student and faculty recruitment activities; directing, executing, and evaluating the department’s social media and website strategy; overseeing other digital and print forms of communication (including photography and videography); and participating in related departmental and college events and activities.

Working within the advancement model, this individual’s efforts must be strategically aligned to support the goals and priorities of the department, college, and broader university. The Communications Manager must follow established brand guidelines, university policies and procedures, and accessibility standards.