Job Summary:

Essential Duties:

• Assist in developing, creating and implementing communication strategies and tactics that promote student and faculty excellence focused on the University's research mission. Work closely with the associate vice president for research to ensure that research priorities and collaborations are expressed through multiple internal and external communication channels, including the Office of Research website and newsletter. Manage websites for Research and affiliated offices, produce assets for print and digital communications, assist with speech writing and manage the office's social media accounts.
• Assist in planning, editing and pitching news releases and stories that highlight student and faculty excellence to media outlets and internal audiences. Assist in long-term media placement planning to align story pitches with prominent editorial calendars and predictable news coverage cycles. Work collaboratively with other members of the University communications and marketing team and extended staff to ensure clear and consistent communications. Share strategies, pitch news and feature articles, produce content for the University's print and online publications as needed and promote content through social media channels. Cultivate mutually beneficial and trusting relationships with members of the media, including reporters, editors, producers, executive producers, etc.
• Assist in compiling regular summaries and analytics of media coverage for internal distribution and archive external media stories for use in promoting the mission of the University. Fulfill critical crisis communications roles, including preparation, training and participation in actual events. Work a demanding scheduled during times of emergency or crisis. This position is designated as essential personnel under the university's crisis management plan.
• Develop media strategies and communications opportunities focused on research that support Marketing, Messaging and Engagement and that enhance the University's philanthropic activities and programs.
• Manage web content for the Division of Research, with a focus on student and faculty excellence that supports the University's research mission.
• Performs other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required, preferably in journalism, communications, public relations, liberal arts, business, science or a related field.
• A minimum of three years of relevant communications experience, supported by a portfolio of writing samples, as requested.
• Background in news reporting, journalism, public relations, public affairs or strategic communications. Exceptional oral and written communications talent and skill.
• Demonstrated positive, collegial and collaborative work style.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Over five (5) years of experience in with a proven track record of success.
• Previous experience in higher education is preferred.
• Experience in science, engineering, health care or technology communications.
• Ability to translate comparative data into relevant charts and graphs.
• Foreign language skills are strongly considered. Experience with, or expertise in Spanish-language media, is strongly considered.

• Competency in Microsoft Office programs.
• Multi-media skills, such as online publishing, social media, video, online photo presentation, etc. In-depth knowledge of communication strategies, tools, techniques, and technologies.
• Exceptional writing/editing skills – including development and editing along with ability to shape and improve content for multiple target audiences and repackage materials for multiple uses.
• Knowledge of news media practices.
• Experience in web content management.

Special Instructions:

EEO Statement:

UTA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Additionally, the University prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation. A criminal background check will be conducted on finalists. The UTA is a tobacco free campus.

Open Until Filled: No

Location: Arlington

About The University of Texas at Arlington

With annual research expenditures in excess of $100M, the University of Texas at Arlington is a Carnegie Research-1 “highest research activity” institution committed to life-enhancing discovery, innovative instruction, and caring community engagement. A leading institution in the heart of the thriving North Texas region, UTA nurtures minds within an environment that values excellence, ingenuity, and diversity. With a total global enrollment of over 59,000 in AY 2018-19, UTA is one of the largest institutions in the University of Texas System. Guided by its Strategic Plan Bold Solutions | Global Impact, UTA fosters interdisciplinary research and teaching to enable the sustainable megacity of the future within four broad themes: health and the human condition, sustainable urban communities, global environmental impact, and data-driven discovery. UTA was cited by U.S. News & World Report as having the second lowest average student debt among U.S. universities in 2018. U.S. News & World Report also ranks UTA fourth in the nation for undergraduate diversity. The University is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is ranked as the top four-year college in Texas for veterans on Military Times’ 2018 Best for Vets list.

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