Communications Specialist

Title: Communications Specialist

Department: Strategic Communications

Campus

Location:

Arnold/Main Campus

Salary Range: $59,092-$73,865

Work Mode: This position requires some regular in‑person presence on campus or at alternative locations, depending on business needs of the office.

Hours Per Week: 40

Position Type: Full‑Time Staff, Exempt

Dynamic content creator/media professional with a passion for storytelling and a gift for crafting compelling content supporting student recruitment and retention, and enhancing the college’s reputation. Works closely with students, staff, faculty, and members of the community, gathering powerful stories in the field, then strategically producing and packaging them in long‑ and short‑form articles, social media, webpages, media releases, digital newsletters, and direct mail.

Works with college reporters and outside media and may serve as an initial point of contact for media relations and publicity outreach to the local community.

• Collaborate with other Strategic Communications team members on content strategy.
• Research and write a wide variety of compelling stories that can be shared across various platforms, including web, social media, president’s ezine, Wingspan magazine, digital advertising, and marketing pieces.
• Create compelling short‑form video and social media posts independently and in creative collaboration with other members of the team or the college community.
• Develop and maintain strong relations with the college’s administration, faculty, deans, directors, student leaders, and campus reporters to find stories and stay on top of college news; attend college and community events and activities; conduct interviews and capture stories for promotional or publicity purposes.
• Pitch stories to news media and other social media influencers; work with other members of the Strategic Communications team to provide information and visuals to reporters, writers, and editors; coordinate interviews as needed; serve as primary liaison to the Campus Current, AACC’s student newspaper.
• Edit news releases and feature stories written by other team members.
• Utilize software to monitor and track the college’s media placements; identify relevant issues and trends, build and maintain lists of reporters and media outlets, distribute news releases, and monitor reports.
• Work closely with the public relations manager in monitoring the college’s social media accounts 24/7; as needed, take the lead monitoring social media to address inquiries and concerns.
• Support crisis communications as needed, ensuring that messages enhance the college’s reputation and reflect integrity, honesty, and transparency.

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Minimum of two years of relevant experience.
• Portfolio link included in cover letter; additional samples such as videos, news releases, and other marketing materials are welcome.
• Excellent writer with experience producing both short‑form content (150-350 words) and long‑form content, including articles, media releases, and feature stories.
• Ability to translate complex concepts into compelling and accessible content in multiple formats and media.
• Understanding of the nuances of writing for various social media platforms and awareness of marketing trends.
• Experience creating social media posts for non‑personal accounts, preferably on Facebook, Instagram, Linked In, and Tik Tok.
• Strong client relationship‑management skills, including communication, collaboration, positivity, and empathy.
• Experience working collaboratively and creatively in team environments.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, including scheduling and meeting with interviewees, and tight timelines.

• Experience with video editing software.

EEO Statement: Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) is committed to enriching the educational experience it offers through the diversity of its faculty, administrators, and staff members. The college seeks to recruit and support a broadly diverse team who will contribute to the college’s excellence, diversity of viewpoints and experiences, embrace concepts of equity and inclusiveness, and support the equal rights of all people by advancing the understanding and appreciation of differences including age, race, gender, ability, religious convictions, socio-economic status, ethnic heritage, or sexual orientation.

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the U.S. on a full‑time basis. Employment‑based visa sponsorship (including H‑1B) is not available for any position.

In the best interest of the College, only individuals who are residents of Maryland or one of the following states will be eligible for employment at the college:
Delaware, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, or the District of Columbia. The college will annually review this restriction and, if appropriate, expand the list of states of employment eligibility.