Communications Manager

Job Description

Elevate the work of the Division of Facilities and its people through communications and marketing. The division provides safe inclusive accessible sustainable missioncentric partnerfocused and costeffective spaces that preserve foster complement and advance Virginia Techs distinct senses of place and service.

The communications manager helps plan execute and evaluate a comprehensive communications program and marketing strategy for the Division of Facilities aligned with universitywide communications and marketing initiatives.

The communications manager works closely with key stakeholders to enhance knowledgeshare with both the university community and the broader external community around divisional initiatives and critical work/activities on campus. The communications manager may represent the focus areas before university employees professional organizations and other important university audiences.

The communications manager will:

In collaboration with the director for communications and engagement oversee the of all strategic messaging and content creation for use on websites social media and print publications supporting the assigned portfolio.
In collaboration with the director for communications and engagement serve as a communications lead on divisionwide initiatives and projects and liaise with other communications professionals within the EVP enterprise and across the university to ensure aligned messaging.
Collaborate with Communications and Marketing (examples include Virginia Tech News social media media relations content creation marketing donor relations etc. to ensure engagement is appropriate timely and supportive of the universitys mission and vision.
Collaborate with the Town of Blacksburg and regional government stakeholders around infrastructure and public safety communications projects.
Collaborate with key stakeholders both internal to the university and external including contractors and government stakeholders to further communications objectives and divisional initiatives.
Develop written content that advances divisional storytelling and customer service initiatives such as Virginia Tech News stories campus notices etc.
In collaboration with the director for communications and engagement pursue news media coverage opportunities connecting media outlets with the appropriate enterprise spokespeople.
Ensure that all materials produced meet standards for quality accuracy and timeliness and are consistent with divisional/university brand editorial and graphic design standards.

The communications manager will supervise graphic designers web developers communications specialists content creators and other communications team members as staffing needs arise.

The position will require evening and/or weekend responsibilities during peak times. This position is designated as Emergency Personnel. Must be available twentyfour hours per day seven days a week to provide support during planned or emergency situations or events.

Required Qualifications

A bachelors degree in communications journalism or related field
Demonstrated skill in developing communication strategies and marketing materials strong writing skills with an emphasis on news releases articles and web and social media content working knowledge and understanding of effective graphic design and branding principles and the use of the internet as a medium of communication
Familiarity with web development and management; social media management; and visual storytelling principles and strategies
Demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion
Experience developing and ensuring content meets or exceeds digital accessibility standards
Exceptional communication skills interpersonal skills diplomacy and the ability to effectively interact and build trusted relationships with diverse internal and external constituencies
Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects; excellent organizational leadership and delegation skills; and ability to work collaboratively
Must have strong problem solving and conflict resolution skills to manage complex tasks and/or those that require balancing competing interests
Strong analytical critical thinking and problemsolving skills with ability to see patterns be a fast thinker and make decisions with strong attention to accuracy detail and local context
Demonstrated patience reliability composure and stability under pressure as well as a strong personal ethics commitment
Demonstrated experience leading and managing large scale communications initiatives and/or events
Demonstrated experience leading people either as a supervisor a colleague collaborating with others or both
Demonstrated experience handling sensitive information
This position is designated as Emergency Personnel. Must be available twentyfour hours per day seven days a week to provide support during planned or emergency situations or events to include being physically on site if deemed necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

An advanced degree in communications journalism or related field
Experience working in the public sector or similar to higher education environment
Experience working in a construction environment
Experience developing and executing process improvement and change management strategies
Experience developing and maintaining communications policies and procedures
Experience making datadriven decisions utilizing analytics platforms
Experience utilizing email distribution platforms such as Adobe Campaign
Experience utilizing CMS platforms such as Adobe Experience Manager
Experience utilizing project management platforms such as Wrike
Experience utilizing creative communications platforms including Adobe Creative Cloud

Pay Band

lPayScaleID

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$70000 $80000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

April 15 2025

Additional Information

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 handson transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problemsolvers. A comprehensive landgrant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge discovery and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36000 undergraduate graduate and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges a school of medicine a veterinary medicine college Graduate School and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.