Req #: 220371 Department: DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING Job Location: Seattle Campus Posting Date: 03/31/2023 Closing Info: Open Until Filled Salary: $5,462 - $8,192 per month Other Compensation: Shift: First Shift Benefits: As a UW employee, you will enjoy generous benefits and work/life programs. For a complete description of our benefits for this position, please visit our website, click here.
As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem-solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.
UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.
The Department of Chemical Engineering has an outstanding opportunity for a Communications Manager to join their team.
The Communications Manager (payroll title: Public Information Specialist) will be expected to interpret complex information and have substantial input in the department’s communication strategy, exercising independent judgment and decision making during performance of duties. The individual in this position will communicate regularly with internal and external audiences including the Chair, faculty, UW and central advancement officers. To fulfill the duties of the position, this position interacts directly with major donors, volunteers, students, service providers and other UW officials.
This position requires polished writing skills, graphic design expertise, project management experience and the ability to communicate with people of different cultural and ethnic backgrounds. Major duties include: promoting and marketing the department through the development of a comprehensive communication strategy to include writing content for publications and the website, managing the website and social media, and event planning. This employee reports to the Administrator.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategy and Content Development:

The Communications Manager will be expected to develop a deep understanding of the department’s strategic objectives, research strengths, markets and competitive challenges, as well as broad knowledge of the chemical engineering field, including policy, business developments, research, media and competition.

Provide writing, editing, messaging and creative support for leadership communications.

Develop and implement comprehensive, measurable marketing and communications plans that elevate the department’s brand.

Work with the COE web team for aligned branding and marketing with the central UW.

Create strategies to foster relationships with targeted external and internal audiences.

Facilitate market research as necessary to drive development of targeted marketing communication strategies.

Measure and evaluate the impact of communication efforts. Use customer feedback and other data to drive business planning.

Provide counsel and advice to leadership and staff on appropriate marketing and communications strategies and tactics in line with mission and business objectives.

Interact with UW COE Advancement team to ensure that fundraising efforts and materials align with the ChemE marketing communications messaging and direction.

Provide strategic counsel and advice on campaign-related activities.

Help identify organizations, publications, materials and events that provide brand-building and advancement opportunities.

Manage publications for the department, including newsletter, informational fliers, and fact sheets (e.g. content strategy; content writing; layout and production; soliciting, assigning, and editing contributor articles; acquiring reprint permissions; and mailing).

Identify, solicit, research, write and edit content to explain and promote the work of ChemE.

Interview subjects and gather supporting data, photos and graphics.

Contract with and direct the work of vendors and review publications for quality and accuracy.

Write, rewrite or make adjustments to content to fit project and audience needs.

Review content and make editorial suggestions for style, grammar, voice, consistency, readability and adherence to content strategy and standards.

Responsible for maintaining and distributing editorial style guide and standards.
Website and Social Media:

Manage the ChemE website and the department social media channels (e.g. LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram).

Post timely and relevant contents for ChemE students and alumni.

Develop and implement content strategy in alignment with ChemE’s brand, content writing, updates, and editorial decisions on layout and navigation.

Create, manage, and maintain content to ensure accurate, timely, and professional websites.

Perform updates, edit for usability and accessibility, provide feedback on tone, clarity, and brevity.

Use Photoshop to create and manipulate images for home page banners, news items, articles, infographics, etc.

Design graphics for use in signs and posters.

Produce marketing and promotional material such as brochures and flyers.

Assist with the design and implement web forms and other interactive components of the website.

Work with Marketo marketing automation software to design, build, and edit newsletters and messages.

Serve as the administrator for the content management system.

Take responsibility for the consistency, completeness, accuracy and timeliness of web content and social media posts.

Verify that websites comply with current operational requirements and UW policies.

Perform periodic content audits and monitor site analytics.

Provide insights and recommendations to improve functionality.

automated quality assurance tools to make recommendations and resolve issues.

Initiate collaboration with users and stakeholders to ensure content is accurate, meets the needs of users, and provide new functionality as needed.

Respond to editorial and technical requests; provide appropriate and timely solutions.

Provide training to content contributors and offer technical and editorial feedback to content contributors.

Keep informed on emerging online technologies and communication practices by peer institutions.

Recommend improvements as technologies evolve.
Event Planning:

Create, implement, manage, and evaluate department events, designing events, activities, and related communications to build awareness of ChemE programs and research, as well as steward and cultivate donors, investors, students, and faculty. Events range in size and complexity from large receptions to small meetings.

Seek opportunities to emphasize the department’s accomplishments, vision, and strategic goals.

Direct the overall event management and execution.

Provide ongoing status updates and proactively solve problems as they arise.

Develop and maintain effective communication approaches to ensure that appropriate details reach appropriate individuals in a timely and efficient manner.

Provide briefing documents for leadership and others involved in events.

Work with appropriate faculty, staff, students to schedule and lead successful execution of events.

Design and implement methods of evaluating events for outcomes, satisfaction levels and improvement opportunities.

Provide an annual report of activities with recommendations for improvements.

Create and manage the annual event budget for the department in a manner that optimizes use of resources while meeting program goals and standards.

In partnership with the Assistant to the Chair, assist with advisory board meetings, annual faculty retreats, and development luncheons and dinners to steward donors and alumni.

Serve as a Procard cardholder making business purchases related to events.

Adhere to UW and department policies for purchasing and reconciling transactions.
Miscellaneous:

Understand donor landscape (major gift and active donors and their priorities) to contribute to development opportunities.

Serve as the department contact for the External Advisory Board and provide recommendations to the chair and advancement on membership and rotation schedule.

Periodically compose correspondence for the Chair’s signature.

Along with rest of the main office staff, provide front office service as needed.

Answer phones, greet, and direct visitors.

Other duties as assigned.
Professional Growth

Professional development is a very important to the culture of the department and it is essential that employees demonstrate accountability for their own professional growth and competency by seeking opportunities and activities that improve skills to support the department.

The Communications Manager will stay current on emerging technologies by reading industry publications, attending seminars and classes, developing relationships with vendors and peers, and evaluating software and products.

It is expected that new ideas will be incorporate into new solutions and plans so all of ChemE can benefit.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Bachelor's Degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or related field and a minimum of two years’ experience.
Equivalent education/experience will substitute for all minimum qualifications except when there are legal requirements, such as a license/certification/registration.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Experience using AP

Style and an internal style guide.

Remain current on AP Style, UW editorial standards, as well as emerging technologies as needed for role.

Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.

Ability to work collaboratively as part of a diverse team.

Demonstrated experience with current social media and digital marketing platforms and best practices.

Experience with content management systems.

Strong project management and time management skills; ability to operate independently and accomplish complex initiatives within deadlines.

Demonstrated organizational proficiency and project organization skills.

Self-motivated, proactive, adaptable work style, with the ability to learn quickly and to work with a variety of topics and people.

Ability to develop, adhere to and successfully communicate branding and content guidelines.

Ability to make appropriate decisions based on relevant information and experience.

The ability to be present at events after business hours.

Experience executing large events or conferences.

High proficiency in Word, Power Point, Adobe Distiller and Acrobat and web browsers, and content management tools.

Intermediate or better Photoshop skills.

Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

Must have the ability or aptitude to gain proficiency in InDesign and other programs as needed.

Ability to communicate successfully with stakeholders at all levels throughout a complex, diverse organization.
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Experience in event planning and execution; Experience in website and publishing software (WordPress and Drupal).

Experience working with faculty and managing complexities of cross-department or interdisciplinary units.

Some evening and weekend work for events.

Knowledge of video creation and editing.

Possession of a valid Washington State driver’s license.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

This position may require working more than 40 hours per week and must be able to work a flexible schedule on occasion (with advance notice).
Application Process:The application process may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment, you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.