Job Opening -- Communications Specialist, Oklahoma State University Foundation
We raise, invest and distribute philanthropic support for OSU.
We provide private support to enhance the University's ability to fulfill its land-grant mission.
DEPARTMENT PURPOSE:
The Marketing and Communications department collaborates with internal and external partners to provide expertise and strategic, integrated marketing and communication services to achieve the OSU Foundation's mission of excellence.
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
The Communications Specialist will help execute the Marketing and Communications department's strategic goals of creating effective materials that inspire, solicit and steward donors. This position's primary role is serving as the Foundation's web and social media content manager, which includes creating and distributing content for various social media channels, OSUgiving.com and other Foundation-managed websites. The Communications Specialist will also handle news releases, media relations, maintenance of content on the Intranet, print and digital advertising copy writing, and other general writing assignments.
KEY AREAS OF FOCUS:
Website and Social Media Content Management:
* Will work closely with the Asistant Director of Communications and the Director of Communications in the Marketing and Communications department to implement the Foundation's overall digital content strategy.
* Serve as primary content manager for OSUgiving.com, qhixh inxluswa qeiring original copy for the site, as well as repurposing and redistributing copy produced for other purposes.
* Will work closely with the Digital Graphic Designer in the Marketing and Communications department as well as the Web Programmers in the Information Strategy department to maintain OSUgiving.com and to ensure the site provides an engaging user interface/experience for donors and other key constituents.
* Responsible for generating and reposting content for all of the Foundation's social media channels
* Collaborate with OSU Foundation internal partners to help implement online marketing/fundraising campaigns on all social and digital media platforms, including the annual Give Orange campaign
* Work with multiple departments across the Foundation to define track, analyze and report on digital communication metrics and analytics, with the goal of improving the online user experience and better targeting digital audiences
* Develop and implement strategies for new media and identify new communities and technologies for marketing efforts both at the OSU Foundation and with our campus partners
* Work closely with communication departments across campus and the central Brand Management office to share general online content and digital strategies
General Writing and Media Relations:
* Work closely with communication departments across campus and the central Brand Management office to share general online content and digital strategies
* Contribute copy for various publications, including the Foundation's portion of STATE, OSU's official magazine as well as other Foundation newsletters, including Heritage, Women for OSU, and Occurrences, the newsletter for Doel Reed Center for the Arts
* Work closely with the Assistant Director of Communications and Director of Communications to strategically plan content to ensure messaging is aligned with Foundation and OSU priorities
* Collaborate with designers, video producers and photographers to facilitate interviews, shoots related to publications and design work required for each project
* Assist in research projects, as needed
Write digital and print advertising as assigned
* Write and distribute various news releases
* Assist with public relations/media relations outreach for news announcements and special events
* Assist with internal communication efforts to staff, Board of Governors, key donors, etc., as needed
* Contribute to the Foundation and Marketing and Communications team by participating in the execution and preparation of major events and initiatives, including involvement with Women for OSU and its annual symposium, major gift announcements, specific campaigns, groundbreakings and other special events.
* Other duties as assigned.
JOB COMPETENCIES AND EXPERIENCE:
Education and Certifications:
* A bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, marketing or related field is required
Experience and Skills:
* A bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, marketing or related field is required.
* A minimum of 1-3 years of related professional experience and/or training is preferred
* Experience in the following areas is preferred: Strategic planning, content creation and management, email marketing, social media marketing and digital storytelling
* Advanced writing, editing, interviewing and research skills are necesary
* Attention to detail in written, visual and oral communications
* Subject matter expertise that allows for the building of integrated digital strategies including web development, social communication, mobile landscape, etc., is preferred
* Ability to manage own workload, make routine decisions and problem-solve independently
* Work under pressure of multiple deadlines while maintaining high degree of accuracy
* This person also must have excellent impersonal communication skills, as the communications specialist may lead a team dealing with digital strategy
* Must be able to work professionally and cooperatively with internal and external partners to build a collaborative work environment
* Experience in leading content development initiatives including developing, deploying and optimizing a multi-channel content strategy
* Ability to analyze large quantities of data and convey most important pieces of this data to colleagues, donors and web audiences is essential
* Strong computer skills are a must, and a strong knowledge of SEO, SEM, Microsoft and Adobe application is preferred
* Proven sense of humor and ability to have fun
Organizational Competencies:
* Effective Communication: Proactively ensures effective communication throughout the organization; makes relevant contributions to discussion and meetings, giving clear and condise expxlanations and sticking to the point; chooses language and communication method to suit the audience, reframes and articulates to help others understand; asks questions to check understanding when disseminating information
* Execution & Initiative: Motivates self and others to achieve the best results, displaying energy, drive and a desire to succeed; enlists the support of others as necessarsy to overcome resistance; supervises cross-functional project team execution on tasks to meet stated objectives; helps other employees gain the skills and experience they need to contribute: proactively outlines milestones, outcomes and deliverables and effectively communicates them to internal and external stakeholders
* Teamwork/Interpersonal Skills: Develops and nurtures formal and informal relationships with a wide circle of people beyond those involved in current activities, including potential donors, stakeholders, and information links; encourages collaboration among colleagues, departments and entire organization to achieve results; compromises, handles conflicts, seeks common ground, articulates own and others goals; stays focused on positive win-win outcomes; seeks input on how to leverage existing processes to improve the donor experience; translates ideas into action