Senior Strategic Communications, Specialist

UVA Information Technology Services (ITS) has an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Senior Strategic Communications Specialist in our Communications and Outreach (C&O) team. This important and influential role requires a strategic mindset around communications and an eagerness to collaborate with ITS colleagues and partners across UVA.  

Why Choose UVA ITS? 

• Lead, grow, and deliver impact in a results-driven organization that values teamwork.  

• We like the people we work with and the work we do.  

• We invest in ongoing professional learning and growth.  

• We embrace a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.  

Please see additional information about joining our team . 

Role Overview: You will serve as a lead strategic communications consultant, planner, and delivery expert for a portfolio of executive, internal, and project support communications. As such, this position provides support to the Office of the Chief Information Officer (CIO), interacts with ITS senior leaders and our Project Management Office, and serves as a trusted consultant and partner. The Senior Strategic Communications Specialist reports to the Director for Communications and Outreach. 

Responsibilities: 

• Craft strategic communication plans and stakeholder analyses. 

• Develop compelling written communications materials, including web content, emails, presentations, social media and blog-style posts, and talking points. 

• Help position CIO and ITS leaders as thought leaders and as strategic partners through effective messaging and by providing insights on relevant and timely industry topics. 

• Develop communications that align with our ITS Strategic Plan and our overall organizational change goals. 

• Drive strategic and timely communication campaigns to achieve measurable goals. 

• Develop key messages tailored to various audiences. 

• Ensuring quality, timely content creation and cross-team communications. 

• Develop and monitor communication analytics and optimize accordingly. 

• Ensure consistent communication identity, messaging, editorial guidelines across all channels. 

• Assume key responsibility for the CIO website. 

• Support crisis communications. 

• Support ITS project delivery through communications and outreach support as needed. 

Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, English, Business, or related field. 

• 8 years of relevant experience in strategic communications.  

• Experience with executive messaging and communication plan management. 

• Strong, demonstrated experience writing and creating content across a variety of channels including social posts, emails, presentations, and webpage updates. 

• Strong presentation and interpersonal communication skills. 

• Expert, demonstrated writing skills. 

• Demonstrated proficiency in web development and content management. 

• Demonstrated experience in communication analytics and social media management. 

• Experience translating technical information for a general audience. 

• Self-motivated, collaborative, and able to manage multiple priorities effectively. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Experience supporting change initiatives or projects. 

• Experience with organization-wide impact goals and change management methodologies. 

• Experience with communications in a higher education or technology-related field. 

Work Arrangements: This position offers a hybrid work location arrangement, requiring dedicated days in-office. The successful candidate must be located within a reasonable commuting distance of Charlottesville, Virginia. 

Benefits: 

• Choice of health plans, vision, and dental insurance. 

• Generous paid time off, including holidays and parental leave. 

• Tuition assistance for professional development.  

• Learn about additional benefits . 

How to Apply:  

Please visit UVA job board: https://jobs.virginia.edu/us/en/ and search for R0058026 

Complete all required application materials, including an online application, cover letter, and resume or CV. Ensure all documents are uploaded into the CV/Resume box for full consideration. 

The position will remain open until filled. 

For questions about the application process, contact Bill Crane, Senior Academic Recruiter, at [email protected] or Sherry McCarty, Director of Communications & Outreach, at [email protected] . 

Discover more about UVA and the Charlottesville community at www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/ . 

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System and the University Physician’s Group are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.  

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.