Communications Specialist

A key member of the Marketing team, this seasoned communicator will be responsible for identifying, shaping, and managing the development of high-quality editorial content for news, marketing, public information and corporate communications materials, including publications, news releases, websites, periodicals, media relations collaterals, and other appropriate communication vehicles. This position is responsible for creating communications strategies, messages, developing copy and providing communications counsel to faculty and administrators in assigned areas for the purpose of enhancing the organization's reputation through marketing and media relations.

Will work as a member or leader of a multi‑skilled team on specific projects as assigned.

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:
Bachelor's degree

Experience:

3 years in one of the following: news, communication, marketing, advertising, or public relations program for a healthcare organization, college, news media organization, government agency, business, or other large knowledge‑based organization; interviewing, writing, and editing; media relations; or 2 years in one of the above and 1 year in web content creation, editing, or publishing; or 2 years in one of the above and 1 year in event planning.

Education, Certification, and/or Licensure:
Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or English.

1. Promotes wider public recognition, awareness, and support of the organization's services, activities and achievements. This should include a long‑term strategic view of policies, goals and mission in assigned areas, and communications strategies to inform the public and other audiences of these goals and achievements.

2. Serves as contributing writer and assists with the planning, development, production and assessment of communications in all media. Develops multimedia content, including digital video, audio and still photography.

3. Maintains regular and frequent contact with sources across the organization to solicit relevant information to highlight and promote achievements through distribution as news releases, opinion pieces, Web features and other communication vehicles.

4. Interviews faculty and professional staff on medical and scientific topics, interprets and explains the organization and research to the public and other audiences.

5. Demonstrates the capacity to understand the significance of assigned areas, and places information before faculty, staff and the public in an accessible and compelling form. Coordinates with other communicators from across the organization to achieve this goal.

6. Participates in planning special events that have communication needs and public relations/marketing impact.

7. Organizes and coordinates the work of other staff and students as assigned.

8. Develops and directs clear communication strategies and messages, maintaining consistency across the organization.

9. Maintains positive relations with public, state and federal officials, as well as WVU constituency groups and stakeholders.

10. Supports the organization as assigned, including writing ad copy and TV and radio scripts, coordinating video and photography shoots; writing and editing for high‑profile publications websites and speeches.

11. As a Communications Specialist, you could be assigned to work in any of these assigned roles:
Internet/Intranet focused, Publication focused, News focused, Corporate Communication/Community Relations focused.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.