Manager of Student Life Communications - Student Life

The Manager of Student Life Communications develops, manages, and implements Student Life’s strategic communications plans in ways that align with the Duquesne brand and support student success and retention. The Manager of Student Life Communications provides broad and strategic leadership and collaborates with staff across the Division of Student Life to develop effective communications across initiatives and audiences. The Manager works directly and collaboratively as a primary liaison with the Division of Marketing & Communications to align content and communication strategies to support institutional goals. In addition to developing strategy, the Manager is responsible for direct content creation (written, basic design, photography, video), social media management, website maintenance, project management and publicity and document design, and facilitating professional development opportunities to enhance the skills of other staff and student content managers who are contributors. The position requires analysis and understanding of broad content and ability to synthesize information in ways that capture the attention of specific audiences, including a primary focus on students.

This position works primarily in person from our campus in Pittsburgh, PA. University core business hours are generally 8:30 am – 4:30 pm. However, this position will require occasional work performed outside of business hours based on specific project needs.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Develops, manages, and implements Student Life’s strategic communications plan that leverages key messages across the entire division, while also attending to the unique needs of individual departments. Documents goals, strategies, and timelines and manages project schedules to effectively achieve deadlines.

Engage in writing and direct content creation and design to support various communication methodologies.

Communications: Identify key messages for intended audiences, including student and alumni success stories, events, critical periods of the academic cycle for students, student success and learning resources, etc. Develop communications that share critical messages and champion an exceptional out-of-class experience. Stay up to date on current events and critical issues that could impact students or the institutional image.

Social media: Establish strategies to maximize student reach via social media, including review of division and departmental channels and content effectiveness for student messaging and staff-student visibility and interaction.

Web presence: In collaboration with DMC, identify engagement goals for internet and intranet communications, maintain web and campaign analytics report to monitor reach and impact. Develop content for Student Life web pages, utilizing best practices regarding writing for the web, and ensure content is consistent with marketing communications, advertising and messaging.

Other: Deploy other relevant communication strategies for intended audiences (e.g. email, digital flyer or newsletter, etc.)

The Manager works directly and collaboratively as a primary liaison with the Division of Marketing & Communications to align content strategies to support institutional goals. Support DMC institutional marketing efforts through effective analysis and storytelling about the out-of-class student experience. Collaborate with campus colleagues to write, edit, and acquire content (including visual assets; photography and videos) for prospective student marketing and institutional use. Align Student Life efforts with University brand standards.

Promote professional development and capacity-building for other content creators and managers, which may include professional staff and/or students. May supervise or advise student content ambassadors to enhance reach and student voice.

Serve on the Student Life leadership team, and as a representative on University committees, task forces and projects as appropriate.

Completes other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Multimedia/journalism, or related field from an accredited institution and 1-3 years of experience.

The successful candidate will have a minimum of 1-3 years of experience in communications, digital marketing, social media management or a related field or role. The successful candidate must possess experience writing and editing web, digital technology and marketing content; strong organizational skills and attention to detail; and excellent communications skills.

Preferred qualifications:

Alternately, the successful candidate may possess any equivalent combination of experience and training, which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform the essential job functions. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Required

Excellent written and verbal communication skills (an ability to provide examples)

Strong working knowledge of current web technologies and social media management (including minimally Instagram and YouTube)

Editing skills including impeccable grammar and attention to detail

Basic understanding of SEO best practices

Ability to use data to drive strategy and monitor and report on results

Ability to work collaboratively with subject matter experts and leaders across campus

Ability to effectively supervise and mentor

Demonstrated organizational skills

Ability to manage competing priorities and projects and balance workloads

Commitment to the importance of treating each individual with dignity and respect consistent with the University’s Mission

Preferred

Demonstrated experience with, and understanding of, the broad diversity of the University community (students, faculty, staff and others) and the functions of higher education.

Experience with Content Management Systems.

Experience with design software (Photoshop, Canva, InDesign, etc.).

Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite applications.

Commitment to the University’s values of diversity, equity and inclusion, and recognition of the importance of treating each individual with dignity and respect consistent with the University’s Mission. Demonstrated experience with, and understanding of, the broad diversity of the University community (students, faculty, staff and others).

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the University Community.

Ability and willingness to contribute actively to the mission of the University and to respect the Spiritan Catholic identity of Duquesne University. The mission is implemented through a commitment to academic excellence, a spirit of service, moral and spiritual values, sensitivity to world concerns, and an ecumenical campus community.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references.

Catholic in its mission and ecumenical in spirit, Duquesne University values equality of opportunity as an educational institution and as an employer. We aspire to attract and sustain a diverse faculty and staff that reflects contemporary society, serves our academic goals and enriches our campus community. We particularly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups and support dual-career couples through our charter membership in this region's HERC (http://www.hercjobs.org/oh-western-pa-wv/).

We invite applicants for this position to learn more about our university and its Spiritan heritage by visiting http://www.duq.edu/about/mission-and-identity/mission-statement. Those invited to campus for an interview may be asked about ways in which they see their talents contributing to the continued growth of our community and furthering its mission.

Duquesne University was founded in 1878 by its sponsoring religious community, the Congregation of the Holy Spirit. Duquesne University is Catholic in mission and ecumenical in spirit. Motivated by its Catholic identity, Duquesne values equality of opportunity both as an educational institution and as an employer.