Manager, Communications

Job Title

Manager, Communications

Agency

Texas A&M University

Department

Sea Grant Administration And Program

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Corpus Christi, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Who We Are

The Texas Sea Grant College Program is dedicated to the understanding, wise use and stewardship of the state's coastal and marine resources. It is part of a network of 34 university-based programs in coastal and Great Lakes states that operate as a partnership between the state governments and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce. Texas Sea Grant is located at Texas A&M University and is part of the Division of Research. Texas Sea Grant focuses on three primary, interconnected activities: research, outreach and education. To learn more about us, please visit our website http://texasseagrant.org/ .

What We Want

We are seeking a Communications Manager who will provide overall leadership for the planning, implementation and evaluation of a communications program that enhances the understanding and stewardship of Texas’ coastal and marine resources and will oversee the conceptualization, editing and production of Texas Sea Grant print and multimedia materials and subsequent distribution in print, broadcast and social media. The preferred candidate will have a master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Writing, Public Relations, or related field, or in a scientific field of study with demonstrated skills in scientific and/or technical writing. Five to seven years of experience in communications in a university, government agency, scientific, or non-profit organization. Five to seven years of experience communicating science to a general audience for a variety of end users and platforms. Experience working with media. Experience as a program manager or leader in a related field. Experience and demonstrated success in communicating science to a general audience. Prior exposure to NOAA, the National Sea Grant College Program, or prior employment.  We are looking to hire a candidate who is a team player and who will promote collaboration and cooperation while leading and working within a team. If the description sounds interesting to you, we invite you to apply to be considered for this opportunity to join our team.

What You Need To Know

Salary: Compensation will be commensurate to selected hire’s experience.

Special Instructions: A cover letter and resume are strongly recommended, and contact information for three professional references. You may upload them on the application under the CV/Resume section.

Other Requirements and Factors: Occasional travel will be required.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Five years of related experience including two years of related supervisory experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Advanced knowledge in word processing, writing, editing, proofing and finalizing.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Excellent writing and editing skills.

• Must be a detailed-oriented, initiative-taking wordsmith, fact checking and accuracy are paramount.

• Must be able to consistently, accurately and engagingly convey the work of the program.

• Working knowledge of spreadsheet applications.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment.

• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills to manage business relationships.

• Demonstrated social media knowledge.

• Demonstrated planning, decision making, problem-solving capabilities and organizational skills.

• Ability to prioritize work and complete multiple projects with minimal supervision.

• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Writing, Public Relations, or related field, or in a scientific field of study with demonstrated skills in scientific and/or technical writing.

• Five to seven years of experience in communications in a university, government agency, scientific, or non-profit organization.

• Five to seven years of experience communicating science to a general audience for a variety of end users and platforms.

• Experience working with media.

• Experience as a program manager or leader in a related field.

• Experience and demonstrated success in communicating science to a general audience.

• Prior exposure to NOAA, the National Sea Grant College Program, or prior employment.

Job Description Summary
The Texas Sea Grant (TXSG) Communications Manager will provide overall leadership for the planning, implementation and evaluation of a communications program that enhances the understanding and stewardship of Texas’ coastal and marine resources and will oversee the conceptualization, editing and production of Texas Sea Grant print and multimedia materials and subsequent distribution in print, broadcast and social media.  

Essential Duties/Tasks:

• MEDIA MANAGEMENT - Provides overall leadership for the planning, implementation and evaluation of a communications program that enhances the understanding and stewardship of Texas’ coastal and marine resources. Manages media relations and the Sea Grant program’s events and activity information coordination. Reviews results of Texas Sea Grant-funded research and Extension-led programs to determine suitability and newsworthiness of content for selected audiences. Writes, produces, and/or coordinates the production of annual reports, eNewsletters, Texas Shores Magazine, social media videos and news releases, that interpret and maximize dissemination of research results and Extension Program impacts and accomplishments to appropriate audiences. Oversees the conceptualization, editing and production of Texas Sea Grant print and multimedia materials and subsequent distribution in print, broadcast and social media for a variety of audiences, including legislators, resource agency staff, community organizations, university administrators, government officials, reporters, and formal and informal educators.

• SUPERVISE STAFF - Supervises communications program staff. Oversees development of the strategic plan. Allocates tasks to enhance workflow. Monitors program budgets. Prepares annual performance reviews.

• PUBLIC AND MEDIA RELATIONS - Meets with Texas Sea Grant Leadership Team, Texas Sea Grant Extension Program staff and marketing/communications staff of key Texas Sea Grant partners, to inform on communications program activities and to ensure coordination of program efforts. Serves as liaison with the communications programs of the National Sea Grant network to ensure coordination of effort and exchange of information. Maintains communication with partner organizations and agencies. Represents the Texas Sea Grant Communications Program at conferences, meetings, and in the media.  

• TECHNOLOGY - Researches, evaluates, and implements innovative uses of new technologies and social media to optimize delivery of coastal and marine-related content. Manages the site traffic analyses for the Texas Sea Grant Website. Implements content changes.

• COMMUNICATIONS COUNSEL - Provides ongoing communications counsel to Texas Sea Grant-funded researchers and Texas Sea Grant Extension Program staff to develop or extend the results of sponsored research and Extension Program impacts and accomplishments into products and programs for targeted constituencies.  

• REPORTING AND STRATEGIC PLANNING - Researches, writes, and implements the Texas Sea Grant Communications Program strategy for the omnibus proposal. Prepares annual plans of work. Reviews and manages federally mandated data collection, tracking and reporting.  Collects and synthesizes annual results from the Communications Program to report impacts and accomplishments and performance measures and metrics, required to be reported to the National Sea Grant Office on an annual basis.

Why Texas A&M University? 

Texas A&M University is committed to enriching the learning and working environment by promoting a culture that respects all perspectives, talents & lived experiences.  Embracing varying opinions and perspectives strengthens our core values which are: Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Selfless Service.

We are a prestigious university with strong traditions, Core Values, and a community of caring and collaboration.  Amenities associated with a major university, such as sporting and cultural events, state-of-the-art recreation facilities, the Bush Library and Museum, and much more await you.  Experience all that a big city has to offer but with a reasonable cost-of-living and no long commutes. 

• Health , dental , vision , life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M contributing to employee health and basic life premiums

• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays 

• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave  and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month

• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas 

• Health and Wellness: Free exercise programs and release time

• Professional Development: All employees have access to free LinkedIn Learning  training, webinars, and limited financial support to attend conferences, workshops, and more.

• Employee Tuition Assistance and Educational Release time   for completing a degree while a Texas A&M employee.

Instructions to Applicants: Applications received by Texas A&M University must either have all job application data entered or a resume attached. Failure to provide all job application data or a complete resume could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application. We encourage all applicants to upload a resume or use a LinkedIn profile to pre-populate the online application.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.