Job Description

If you enjoy being part of the daily pulse of fascinating news, the Virginia Tech College of Science has a job for you. We are seeking a communications professional to be at the heart of our editorial work. As Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing, this person will write and assign stories about leading-edge research, such as discoveries of fossils, the impact of earthquakes and tsunamis, breakthroughs in battery research or drug discovery, exploration of microplastics in streams or invasive species such as crayfish or bullfrogs, nuclear physics, astronomical explorations - and many more scientific issues at the heart of life in our world today.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Communications and Marketing, the Assistant Director would sit in the critical position of overseeing the College of Science's content and distribution channels. This person would gather stories to post to our publication system, and monitor and post content to our Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn channels. The Assistant Director will regularly write stories and related content for the university's news platform, VT News, as well as college websites, and will track/report stories' reach and effectiveness.

The Assistant Director will serve as liaison to the University's Media Relations team, collaborating frequently with this group to position/pitch college stories, research, and faculty experts for media distribution. In coordination with the University team, this position will prepare and coordinate tip sheets, media advisories, and responses to media inquiries. It is not unusual for our work to be featured in The New York Times, National Geographic, CNN, or other national and regional media outlets. The college plays an integral role in the university's strategic goals of becoming a top 100 global university

The Assistant Director will work with the college's videographer/photographer and assistant design director on social media campaigns as well as freelance writers and content producers. The person in this position will also fill in for the Director as needed and must be comfortable interacting with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, effectively building relationships on behalf of the college that advance priorities, support increased collaboration, and lift the Virginia Tech Science brand. This position will lead the creation of a content plan for our annual alumni magazine and work with the Senior Director and an outside design firm to produce the magazine.

The Assistant Director will also write and coordinate content that contributes to Advancement priorities and campaigns, such as alumni and stewardship stories that align with college and university priorities, as well as student-focused pieces that aid in the college's broad recruitment and enrollment management tactics.

Required Qualifications

* Bachelor's degree in English, communications, public relations, journalism, or related field or equivalent training and/or work experience
* Professional experience as a writer, editor, and/or communicator, with a strong portfolio of work to demonstrate these skills
* Demonstrated experience working with a variety of digital communications platforms, such as website content management systems, printed/digital magazines, and/or professional social media accounts, and a strong understanding of effective digital content strategy
* Demonstrated experience working with others to develop videos, photos, and other visual/graphic assets as part of an effective digital content strategy
* Demonstrated experience preparing and executing strategic communications plans and evaluating/reporting on their effectiveness

Preferred Qualifications

* Professional communications experience in higher education, independent education, or the nonprofit sector.

Appointment Type

Regular

Review Date

Monday, November 27, 2023

Additional Information

A completed application includes a cover letter, a resume and a list of three professional references with their preferred contact information. A portfolio or examples of work may be requested as the interview process progresses.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight , a , a college, , and . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous and . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.