Job Description:

Reporting to the Senior Director of Communications and Public Affairs for Constituent Communications, the Director of Internal Communications leads the development and execution of the university's internal communications operations, including content and delivery, and will plan and execute effective communications strategies to engage internal audiences and support a positive workplace culture. The Director will identify and deploy multiple platforms and channels to deliver compelling content and partner with leadership in Communications and Public Affairs and key internal stakeholders to direct message development.

Washington and Lee University actively promotes a dynamic and inclusive environment that allows students and employees of multiple backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to learn, work, and thrive together. Successful candidates will contribute to that environment and exhibit potential for excellence in their areas of expertise.

Essential Functions:

• Directs the development and execution of internal communications and serves as primary liaison between Communications and administrative and academic offices (Human Resources, Information Technology Services, Student Affairs, University Facilities, Dining Services, University Registrar, Business Office, Academic departments and others), to improve collaboration, communication, transparency and accountability.

• Analyzes campus-wide internal communication channels, and executes strategies that ensure effective communication and transparency across the university.

• In consultation with department leadership, identifies university initiatives and processes that need greater clarity and visibility and develops strategies to explain and communicate them clearly and successfully to faculty, staff and students.

• Develops and distributes regular newsletter to faculty and staff to inform them of W&L news, employee profiles and accolades, and other key content.

• Serves as primary editor of the university’s internally facing websites, dashboards and other digital media, working collaboratively with Communications colleagues to ensure the proper distribution of strategic content across the platforms and to provide multimedia content in support of print publications and marketing campaigns for internal audiences.

• Partners with Communications staff to research, develop and implement appropriate and effective tools for content distribution, including web content, newsletters, email bulletins, text capability, RISE displays and campus calendar.

• Plans, writes and edits content for internal communications channels, including web, email, social media and print.

• Monitors and measures utilization of internal communication media to determine effectiveness.

• Partners with Communications colleagues to promote pertinent employee news and campus events to local media, and student awards, profiles and recognition in the students’ hometown print, online, broadcast and social media.

• Advises Communications leadership on communications issues and concerns within the university community.

• Provides crisis communications support to ensure adequate and appropriate communications to W&L's internal audiences.

• Additional related duties as assigned.

Work Schedule: 8:30am - 4:30pm, M-F. The Office of Communications and Public Affairs offers a hybrid work schedule option with a combination of in-person and remote work.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications or related field required. Demonstrated success in developing and implementing organizations’ communications programs and strategies. Strong working knowledge of communications best practices and ability to guide university messaging with diplomacy, tact, and sensitivity for all audiences. Ability to write and adapt copy for all communications platforms. Excellent copyediting and proofreading skills, as well as flexibility, creative thinking, openness to new ideas and changing priorities.

Higher-education experience is preferred. Strong verbal, interpersonal, and management skills, and experience collaborating with team members to create impactful communications using various communications channels.

Proficiency in communications software and tools for web content management, blogs, intranets, social media, presentations and photo-editing. Ability to develop and deploy technology to further communications goals. Excellent storytelling abilities and the capacity to frame W&L's current and evolving story in a clear and compelling way to W&L faculty, staff and students.

Experience collaborating with digital and design teams on communication efforts. Excellent team and relationship-building skills. High levels of integrity, accuracy, diplomacy, diligence and discretion are required, as are decision-making skills and a high degree of initiative. The candidate should demonstrate excellent organizational skills: must be able to multitask, maintain control and respond well under pressure and in crises, work well with diverse audiences, manage a heavy workload and meet deadlines.

Application Instructions:

Review of applications begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Please include a cover letter, resume and three writing samples (either uploaded with application materials or shared through a link). Attach documents in the Resume/CV document upload section of the application. You will be asked to provide names and contact information for three professional references.

External Applicants: Application instructions for external applicants are located on the jobs.wlu.edu or here.

Current W&L Employees: Apply from your existing Workday account. Instructions are located at jobs.wlu.edu or here.

Physical Requirements:

• Fingering: Picking, pinching, typing or otherwise working, primarily with fingers rather than with whole hand or arm as in handling.

• Grasping: Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm.

• Repetitive motions: Making substantial movements (motions) of the wrists, hands, and/or fingers.

Working Conditions: The worker is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.

Types of Work: Sedentary work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Position Type: Exempt, Full Time, Benefit Eligible

Minimum Pay: $71,479.00 - Pay Commensurate with Experience

The university requires employees to become fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and new employees must provide proof of at least their first shot prior to the first day of employment. Boosters are required. Individuals may seek a medical or a religious exemption to the vaccination requirement.