Communications Manager

Job Description

Reporting to the Head of the Grado Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering and the Director of Communications and Marketing for the College of Engineering the ISE Communications Manager will plan execute and evaluate a comprehensive communications strategy for the department that aligns with the broader advancement (development alumni relations communications) and recruitment goals of the college and university. The manager will develop an annual work plan in consultation with the two supervisors and is evaluated against the success of that plan.

The Communications Manager must have a strong background in writing and editing as well as demonstrated experience in several communications skillsets. These skillsets may include writing for a variety of platforms and occasions social media management website development and maintenance videography and photography enrollment marketing media relations and/or graphic design. The manager should also be able to navigate multiple and competing priorities in a dynamic environment. This individual is a member of the colleges communications team and the department heads leadership team.

Specific work responsibilities may include but are not limited to producing newsletters email communications and stories that highlight department activities; supporting student and faculty recruitment activities; managing department social media accounts websites and other digital and print forms of communication; and coordinating visual assets through photography and videography; developing and distributing flyers for departmental seminars and events; maintaining an inventory of department-branded items for internal and external use; and supporting department events where department updates are communicated.

Working within the advancement model this individuals efforts must be strategically aligned to support the goals and priorities of the department college and broader university. The Communications Manager must work effectively with all university and external constituents following established brand guidelines university policies and procedures and accessibility standards. The Communications Manager must have strong interpersonal skills creativity flexibility self-motivation and the ability to thrive in a team setting and they must be able to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel periodically as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Masters degree in Communications (or a related field) or a Bachelors degree in communications (or related field) with equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated work history of effective written communication including editing and copywriting.
• Experience with developing promotional materials.
• Experience working with multiple communication platforms in a professional setting including managing social media.
• Demonstrated work history of managing complex multiple priorities with deadlines requiring organizational skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Communications (or related field).
• Experience with digital content strategy and management including content management systems and other web platforms.
• Experience with visual communication mediums such as photography videography and/or graphic design.
• Experience in higher education or non-profit environment.

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$65000-$72000

Hours per week

40

Review Date

March 13 2026

Additional Information

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

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its mottoUt 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 aninclusive communitydedicated 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 eightundergraduate colleges aschool of medicine aveterinary medicinecollegeGraduate School andHonors College.The university has a significant presence across Virginia including Blacksburg the greater Washington D.C. area the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke sites in Newport News and Richmond and numerousExtension officesandresearch institutes.A leading global research institution Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

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