Senior Communications Specialist

Brandeis University is delighted to announce a career opportunity for a Sr. Communications Specialist. If you are looking for an opportunity to work at a beautiful university campus with lots of perks including free parking and access to a top of the line athletic facility, look no further! At Brandeis we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package which includes medical, dental and life insurances.  We also offer a generous paid time off benefit including 15+ holidays.  If you hope to advance your career through educational opportunities, Brandeis offers tuition benefits for employees, dependents and spouses.  Our 403b retirement savings plan includes a generous match.

The Lurie Institute for Disability Policy is a dynamic and growing research team; we strive to make our research accessible to people with disabilities through an innovative, creative, and end-user-led dissemination strategy. We are seeking a collaborative applicant with a passion for disability justice to join our team.

The Senior Communications Specialist will lead the dissemination of research conducted by the Lurie Institute and 4 associated research centers, including the National Research Center for Parents with Disabilities; Center for Disability and Pregnancy Research; Community Living Policy Center; and Community Living Equity Center. The Senior Communications Specialist will develop research dissemination products, participate in the development of the Lurie Institute communications strategy, and manage the communications team. Knowledge and familiarity with disability policy is crucial; we highly encourage people who identify as disabled to apply.

There position is on-site at our Waltham campus with the possibility of a hybrid schedule.

To apply, please submit a cover letter and resume/CV through the Brandeis Workday portal.

Key Responsibilities:

Create new content to be disseminated across multiple platforms

• Translate research findings into accessible language/content, including briefs for a general audience, plain language briefs, and easy-read documents
• Incorporate data visualizations and infographics created by the graphic designer into external projects
• Draft and refine content for multiple platforms, including Lurie Institute and associated center websites, social media accounts, newsletters and email
• Develop intersectional campaigns to increase the visibility of Lurie Institute research by growing the reach and number of social media followers of the Institute
• Work with each research center’s project manager to create original content

Develop a strategic communications plan based on an established communications strategy and manage the Lurie Institute communications team to support the development of content and platforms (e.g., websites, visualizations, social media, etc.)

• Provide project management support to the communications coordinator, graphic designer, and student interns in content creation (social media accounts, websites, Mailchimp campaigns, events)
• Ensure that the communication strategy is translated into manageable and executable tasks by the communications team
• Oversee social media accounts to ensure all posts, interactions, and responses align with Lurie mission
• Act as the final approver for all external content

Support the development of the overall communications strategy

• Ensure that the communications team strengthens the Lurie Institute's national visibility and reputation for rigorous, state-of-the-art, equity-focused research, and ability to disseminate findings in an accessible manner to key stakeholders, including people with disabilities, media, policy makers, practitioners, attorneys, among others
• Work with Lurie Institute leadership to draw connections between the Lurie Institute’s work and current events or policy debates that inform communications strategies and products
• Develop and maintain relationships with external partners (advisory board members and dissemination partners) and the disability community; use feedback to inform strategy
• Ensure the communications strategy aligns with principles of disability justice
• Liaise with the Heller School communications team and Brandeis central communications to ensure the Lurie Institute aligns with overall communications strategies

Education & Work Experience:

Bachelor’s degree plus 5-8 related work experience required

What you need to succeed:

Experience with and knowledge of disability rights/ policy is crucial.

Skilled ability to translate academic text into accessible and engaging briefs/ one pagers/ etc.

Excellent attention to detail and time management, ability to prioritize multiple tasks plan work to meet deadlines, problem solve, and take initiative

Skilled use of standard computer programs (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint), preferred knowledge of design programs (Indesign, Illustrator, Canva)

Excellent communication (oral and written), interpersonal skills, and highly organized

Able to be flexible in schedule occasionally (e.g., for events, urgent media releases)

Able to work independently and as part of a team; experience with management is preferred.

Works under supervision of Lurie Institute Assistant Director or other senior staff

Closing Statement

Brandeis University is committed to providing its students, faculty and staff with an environment conducive to learning and working and where all people are treated with respect and dignity. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, ethnicity, caste, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, including transgender identity, religion, disability, age, genetics, active military or veteran status and any other characteristics protected under applicable federal or Massachusetts law.