Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

The Annenberg Institute Assistant Director for Strategic Communications is an energetic, mission-driven leader with expertise in managing communications strategy, planning and execution communications, and sharing best practices in messaging and stakeholder engagement. A dynamic strategist, content creator, and communicator, the Assistant Director for Strategic Communications is responsible for developing and implementing a culturally responsive, accessible communications and outreach strategy that will amplify the Institute’s vision and the impact of its programs among all stakeholders on campus and in the broader education community.

The Annenberg Institute is Brown University’s education research institute. Our vibrant community includes Brown University faculty, postdoctoral research associates, staff, students, and multiple partners in Rhode Island and across the US. We partner with education leaders and global scholars to connect people, evidence, and practices to build toward a more effective and equitable education system that enables all students to thrive. Through programs, fellowships, and learning opportunities, Annenberg provides a hub at Brown University for conducting and engaging with education research for impact. We connect with leading scholars in the field and support a growing body of cutting-edge research that builds new knowledge of promising practices and of the conditions that enable students to reach their full potential. Annenberg’s partnerships connect researchers and practitioners, deepening relationships across the educational system and transforming policy and practice through ongoing collaboration. Annenberg’s knowledge initiatives catalyze conversations across the research landscape, synthesizing what we know and mobilizing practitioners, policymakers, and researchers toward collaborative impact.

Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Managing Director, the Assistant Director for Strategic Communications creates the content for premium, high-visibility materials for a range of digital and written communications and events for the Institute that meet WCAG 2.0 requirements and accessibility best practices, aligned with the University’s “digital-first” philosophy. The Assistant Director for Strategic Communications is responsible for developing and maintaining a long-term strategy for staffing the communication needs of the unit, including developing and managing a communications team that includes the Web Producer and Digital Content Strategist, contractors and student interns. 

This position works proactively with faculty, researchers and students to identify story strategy and placement and to engage strategically with stakeholders in compelling ways through all available media. Additionally, the Assistant Director for Strategic Communications manages website development and maintenance, social media management, video production, and engagement materials. To be successful, the position will foster strong relationships with partner organizations on and off campus, local and national media, and communications professionals across campus.

Qualifications:

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree with 6-8 years of professional experience in communications, public relations, journalism or related field, or combination of education and experience.
• Previous experience in higher education and/or with an education research institution preferred.

Competencies:

• Demonstrated ability to translate research findings to content suitable for broad and diverse audiences across a variety of media and social media channels in a culturally responsive manner.
• Demonstrated proficiency working with web content management systems and the full range of social media platforms and account management tools. Experience working with Drupal strongly preferred.
• Experience developing and implementing an integrated and accessible communications strategy using principles of effective data visualization that span multiple outlets including print, web, and social media.
• Demonstrated ability and flexibility to multi-task, prioritize, and manage diverse job responsibilities while meeting various deadlines.
• Proficiency with communications applications and tools, including Google Drive, MS Office, Google, Canva, Illustrator, and MailChimp.
• Familiarity with Adobe Creative Suite, especially Photoshop, InDesign, and Premier, and the capacity to manage design vendors.
• Commitment to reciprocal feedback: Proactively seeks, receives, and extends feedback with your peers and leaders.
• Customer Service Orientation: Strives to deeply understand customer needs and design tools and technical assistance to meet those needs. Works to exceed customer expectations.
• Demonstrated ability to support a community of diverse perspectives and cultures in an inclusive environment.
• Experience with content management system required; Familiarity with HTML and Javascript.
• Knowledge of copyright, image use protocols, and laws governing online posting of intellectual property.
• Knowledge of WCAG 2.0 and ADA Section 508 requirements and accessibility best practices.
• Engage in regular professional development to remain knowledgeable about best practices in social and digital communications

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background check and education verification.

Applicants should submit their cover letter and resume as a single PDF file here.