Communications Specialist

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Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Communications Specialist

Job Summary:

The Wisconsin Union is seeking a communications specialist to help tell the stories of one of the country’s most recognized college unions, to manage the Union’s social media presence and to manage communications for multiple Wisconsin Union stakeholder areas. Reporting to the Wisconsin Union public relations and communications officer, this position develops communications that connect students, staff, Union members, visitors, alumni, community members and news media with the Union’s events, activities, spaces, services and mission.

This position combines social media management, media relations, writing, proofreading, editing, and strategic communications. The communications specialist will manage most Wisconsin Union social media channels, create and publish audience-centered content, monitor and respond to social media conversations and use data to improve the Union’s social media efforts. The position also writes press releases, feature stories, talking points, media interview preparation documents and other materials; supports media outreach and interview coordination; and serves as a primary spokesperson for assigned Union areas and secondary spokesperson for others’ assigned areas, as needed.

The successful candidate will be an excellent writer, editor and speaker who can move comfortably between planned, strategic communications and time-sensitive communications. This role requires sound judgment, attention to accuracy and accessibility, strong relationship-building skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex, highly visible organization.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Monitors reach and effectiveness of communication campaigns, projects, and initiatives

Provides project management and execution of communications programs, initiatives, and tactical plans

Writes, edits, and publishes content for various communication projects and marketing platforms to align with strategic initiatives and established communication campaigns

Communicates with stakeholders to verify requests and identify editorial resources

Plans editorial content according to established goals and objectives

• •Serves as the lead communications partner for assigned Wisconsin Union areas by identifying communications needs, developing and implementing plans, advising stakeholders and coordinating projects and deliverables
• •Supports media relations for assigned areas by developing press materials, responding to inquiries, coordinating interviews, preparing spokespeople and maintaining relationships with journalists and campus communications partners
• •Leads the day-to-day management of most Wisconsin Union social media channels, including editorial planning, content development, publishing, community management, social listening and performance analysis
• •Monitors social media conversations for questions, emerging issues, misinformation, safety concerns and reputational risks and coordinates appropriate responses or escalation
• •Stays informed about social media platform changes, audience behavior and digital communications practices, and recommends appropriate updates to Union social media strategies and protocols
• •Prepares spokespeople for interviews and serve as a spokesperson, as assigned
• •Monitors news coverage and public conversations relevant to the Wisconsin Union and provides timely summaries or recommendations
• •Assists with the recruitment, onboarding, instruction and mentorship of communications interns or other staff, as assigned
• •Represents the communications team on Wisconsin Union or campus work groups and at tabling opportunities

Department:

Wisconsin Union, Strategy & Support, Integrated Marketing and Communications

The Wisconsin Union connects students, faculty, staff, members and visitors through shared cultural, social and recreational experiences. The Union’s experiences include performing arts, dining, outdoor recreation, art galleries, hotel stays, and more. The organization’s spaces include Memorial Union, Union South and other campus locations.

Compensation:

The expected starting salary is $60,000.

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please see:

http s://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf

Required Qualifications:

• •At least two years of communications or public relations experience that includes writing and editing for organizational audiences
• •Demonstrated ability to produce clear, accurate and audience-centered content across multiple formats, including press or news-style writing and social media content
• •Knowledge of Associated Press style and strong command of grammar, spelling, punctuation and proofreading
• •Ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate contributors and approvals, meet deadlines and adapt when needs change
• •Ability to work independently and collaboratively with colleagues, leaders, subject matter experts, students and communications partners
• •Demonstrated sound judgment when handling public-facing communications, sensitive information, online interactions and time-sensitive issues
• •Experience using social media in support of an organization or company’s goals, mission and operations

Preferred Qualifications:

• •Experience developing and implementing communications plans for programs, events, organizational priorities or emerging issues
• •Experience using social media publishing and listening tools, platform analytics and web analytics to evaluate and improve communications
• •Experience with WordPress or another content management system
• •Experience creating accessible digital content and basic photo or short-form video content for social media
• •Experience using tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud and/or Canva, or related platforms

Schedule :

This is a full-time, ongoing position based in Madison, Wisconsin. The anticipated work arrangement is hybrid. The regular schedule is generally Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Evening, early morning or weekend work will be required based on events, media requests or emerging issues.

Education:

A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field required.

How to Apply:

This job will be posted through 10/29 at 11:59pm.

Click the "Apply" button to start the application process.

• You will be prompted to upload the following documents:
• -Resume

-Cover Letter

-Professional Communication Samples

Applicants should attach a cover letter and resume detailing how their experience relates to the required qualifications as well as three professional communications samples, including one press release or other media-related sample written in Associated Press style and one social media sample or campaign example.

Contact Information:

Jenny Lee, jenny.lee2@wisc.edu, 608-265-1157.

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

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