Scheduled Hours

37.5

Position Summary

The charge of the Academy is to be the primary vehicle for shifting climate and culture on all of the Universityâ™s campuses with a focus on staff and faculty. As a core service of the University and an emergent initiative, employees of the Academy must be creative, flexible, strategic and strong communicators who can work well with people from all backgrounds as well as departments of different sizes and focuses across the institution. Thinking and planning at a systems level, multi-tasking, building relationships and representing the Academy both internally and externally are daily expectations. Ideal candidates have experience navigating complex organizations, identifying patterns and opportunities for evolution, and having a role in a new initiative within an existing structure.

The Communications and Engagement Specialist creates, manages, and implements the execution of communications strategies to connect the Washington University community to diversity, equity, and inclusion-related programming, research, and content that supports a more inclusive experience at Washington University. The ideal candidate is a leader in cross collaboration, has the ability to take a systems approach in support of communications, and is adept at public speaking, presentation, and strategy development. The ability to develop and suggest solutions, manage complex projects involving multiple constituencies, and manage expectations will be key skills for this role. This role will work with individual colleagues and groups across the University as the solo contact, as well as in partnership with and in support of other members of the Academy staff, primarily the Associate Director of Operations and the Assistant Vice Chancellor for the Academy

Job Description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Plans, manages, and creates both internal and external communications across the department.

• Supports all areas of the department with communication needs and improvements.
• Designs, plans, and works with team members to implement integrated (cross-functional) communication strategies that further department goals and outcomes.
• Creates and manages a communications plan and timeline at the department level for internal and external constituencies.
• Analyzes and measures communication effectiveness and identify relevant communications opportunities.
• Identifies and tracks events related to diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the Washington University community, for the purposes of building awareness across various audiences.
• Designs and produces select publications, reports, presentations, and marketing materials (e.g.postcards, flyers, brochures) that promote programs and visibility through web, print, multimedia, and emerging communication vehicles.
• Maintains consistency of message, enhancing and reinforcing brand positioning across social media networks.
• Manages, tracks, responds to or distribute department wide emails to the appropriate academy staff.
• Develops and updates operational workflows for communications support.

Seeks out, organizes, and facilitates campus community engagement in institution-wide events and programming related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Initiates and cultivates relationships across institution with key stakeholders and facilitate regular community meetings to foster relationship building, collaboration, and promotion of events.
• Responsible for ensuring data regarding events, stakeholders, and other resources is current and accurate, including all data entry and information updates.

Coordinates and manages logistics and administration to support the portfolio of the Academy's initiatives.

• Assists with planning, coordination and onsite support of events and meetings under the Academyâ™s portfolio, including but not limited to dinners, seminars, training, speaking engagements, etc., including vendors, creating distributing and monitoring invitation lists and appropriate publicity.
• Coordinates written materials produced in conjunction with events, meetings and other programming.
• Prepares and maintains activity log and attendance records of events, programs and meetings as necessary.
• Coordinates conference planning and execution as needed.
• Prepares PowerPoint presentations when requested, taking the initiative in developing the content, visual appearance and style of the presentation.
• Monitors any identified publications or platforms (e.g., The Record, Student Life, local and national news sources, social media platforms) and keep the department informed of relevant matters.
• Coordinates planning, logistics, and administration for Academy programs and events.
• Collects photos and/or videos from programs and maintain photo files for ongoing use for digital or print platforms.
• Serves as primary on-site support provider for all programs.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

• Computer work and occasional tight time frame for completion of duties due to multiple calls, inquiries and program targets.
• Remote work during alternate operations.

Target Timeline:

February 25 - April 1: Application, Resume, and Cover Letter Reviews

April 4 - 08: Follow up application questions (written answer portion of timeline - 1 week response time)

April 11 - 13: 1st round zoom interviews with Associate Directors and AVC

April 18 - 27: 2nd round zoom interviews with Academy Team

The above timeline may change and may include additional conversations

Target hire start date: Monday, May 16, 2022

Applications Special Instructions:

Please submit a cover letter and resume with your application. In your cover letter, please address why this position is of interest; your understanding of the mechanics of working toward diversity, equity, and inclusion goals in an organization; and specific experience that matches job duties and skill sets mentioned in the job description.

• Applications without cover letters will not be reviewed.
• Small office setting, computer work, infrequent need to move light boxes of office and kitchen supplies, and regular travel around and between the universityâ™s multiple campuses and to off-campus meetings.
• Occasional tight time frame for completion of duties due to multiple calls, inquiries and program targets.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three or more years of related experience particularly in areas of communications management, strategic internal communications, and project management
• Experience working toward diversity, equity and inclusion goals within an organization.
• Outcomes orientated planning.
• Functional information layout and design experience.
• Experience in a higher education environment.
• Highly organized and detail oriented.
• Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills, situational awareness, and attention to detail.
• Sensitivity to and ability to navigate group and organizational dynamics.
• Strong logistics management skills and comfort with complex situations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
• Commitment to collaborative teamwork; ability to function effectively under pressure and meet deadlines while exercising initiative, judgment, creativity, and diplomacy; ability to work independently with a high degree of reliability, accuracy, and productivity.
• Ability to analyze and resolve difficult problems, to integrate information from multiple sources, to utilize creative thinking, and to exercise considerable judgement and resourcefulness.
• Ability to develop, write and edit copy with superior knowledge of business English, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Computer literacy with a variety of digital communication platforms.
• Complex reasoning and critical thinking abilities.
• Ability to implement new creative ideas to communicate mission.
• Intermediate information design and editing skills.
• Handles confidential information responsibly.

Required Qualifications

College degree required and two years of related experience.

Grade

G09

Salary Range

$42,100.00 - $69,600.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.

EEO/AA Statement

Washington University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to an individualâ™s sex, race, color, religion, age, disability status, protected veteran status, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation. Women, minorities, protected veterans and the disabled are strongly encouraged to apply.

Diversity Statement

Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment â“ fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.

Applicant Instructions

When you are ready to apply, creating an account only takes a minute. Your account creates a candidate home page which we will use to communicate with you and allows you to apply for jobs and view your application statuses. The first page of the application offers two âœQuick Apply❠options. Quick Apply allows you to either use a previous application or create a new application using a resume to populate the work experience and education sections of your job application. If using a resume to populate your application, check to ensure the application fields populated accurately. You may skip the âœQuick Apply❠page by clicking âœNext❠at the bottom of the page. Documents may be uploaded in the My Experience section of the application. You also have the option to apply with a Linkedin feature, which allows you to apply by using your Linkedin profile to populate some of the job application fields.