What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Content Specialist position at Syracuse University?
Job Description
The senior content specialist will work, as part of the Division of Communications, to conceptualize, develop and execute comprehensive, communications strategies that prioritize the campus community audience. They will report to the director of internal communications and will work to provide students, faculty and staff more visibility to the University’s initiatives, progress against goals and engagement opportunities. They will work to better educate and inform internal and external stakeholders and foster a sense of camaraderie and pride among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and prospective students and families. They must be an effective communicator with excellent writing skills and a strong collaborator. The senior content specialist is expected to produce high-volume, high-quality content akin to a newsroom writer/producer. They will be especially savvy with content creation, including in support of the University’s app, SU News, SU Today and other priority digital communication platforms. This individual will also play a key role in contributing to the SU News social media channels to facilitate increased engagement.
Education and Experience
Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About The Syracuse Area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community
Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.
The senior content specialist will work, as part of the Division of Communications, to conceptualize, develop and execute comprehensive, communications strategies that prioritize the campus community audience. They will report to the director of internal communications and will work to provide students, faculty and staff more visibility to the University’s initiatives, progress against goals and engagement opportunities. They will work to better educate and inform internal and external stakeholders and foster a sense of camaraderie and pride among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and prospective students and families. They must be an effective communicator with excellent writing skills and a strong collaborator. The senior content specialist is expected to produce high-volume, high-quality content akin to a newsroom writer/producer. They will be especially savvy with content creation, including in support of the University’s app, SU News, SU Today and other priority digital communication platforms. This individual will also play a key role in contributing to the SU News social media channels to facilitate increased engagement.
Education and Experience
- A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations or marketing.
- Candidate should have four (4) plus years of experience working in a strategic communications environment with a focus on content creation and digital communications tools/platforms.
- Experience with email communications systems, content management systems, social media channels and management systems, and other technologies designed to support communications strategies.
- Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, excellent strategic communications capabilities and a demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with leadership, supervisors and colleagues.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word and PowerPoint.
- Calm under pressure. Can manage stressful situations in a solution-oriented way with a positive attitude. Comfortable working irregular hours.
- Must also have the ability to oversee and execute multiple projects simultaneously while working effectively under the pressure of last-minute deadlines and changing priorities.
- Is proactive and takes initiative.
- Functions effectively, both independently and as a member of a team, with a willingness to assist with routine and last-minute projects.
- Must be outcome driven, resourceful and committed to collaboration.
- Higher education experience strongly preferred.
- Write and edit critical digital communications materials, such as news stories; Q&As; email communications; key messages; web content; digital signage; and other essential documents.
- Work in the SU News website platform, Word press, to edit and post content and refresh the homepage.
- Works closely with colleagues, business units and other teams to ensure effective prioritization and planning annually of key initiatives that require strategic communications.
- Ensures resources are in place to partner with other units to build communications plans that help them advance their strategic priorities.
- Assist in managing, monitoring and creating content for SU News social media channels to amplify priority messaging, original team content and content from campus communicators.
- Edit, set up and send various University wide and partner units’ email communications, including urgent messaging, to the University’s various audiences, including students, faculty, staff and parents/families, using the email creation platform, Email Generator, and the send platform, Maestro.
- Provides support to the communications leaders and senior leaders in various departments, including the provost’s office, Human Resources, Student Experience and other administrative units.
Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About The Syracuse Area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community
Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.
