Director, Research Communications

Job Summary

The Director of Research Communications ( DRC ) is expected to manage a complex portfolio of projects to continuously improve internal and external communications for the Office of Research and Innovation ( ORI ) and faculty researchers. The DRC will advise on all research communications with a primary focus on providing leadership and vision for UTA’s research communications strategy; conceive, execute, and assess research communication strategies and vehicles; directly manage and advise on internal and external campaigns and communications related to UTAs research enterprise; oversee the online presence development and maintenance of ORI digital platforms and tools; and work closely with Marketing, Messaging and Engagement Office ( MME ) to amplify the university’s research portfolio on official university channels. This position will have direct reports.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, English, marketing or a related field.
• Five (5) years of experience developing and implementing communications strategies, leadership communications, presentations, speeches or related experience.
• Work must be supported by a portfolio of writing and published/broadcast sample.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in higher education, academic setting, or research, health, and science environment.
• Background in news reporting, broadcast journalism, public relations, or communications.
• Experience with digital media campaigns, content creation, and project management.
  
  

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Develop and implement data-informed, leading-edge, communications strategies and activities that highlight and promote the research enterprise as well as the research achievements of the University, faculty, students, staff, and alumni.
• Work with Marketing, Messaging, and Engagement ( MME ) to share strategies, write features, news articles and copy for the press and for the publications, periodicals, and website to support research communications strategies and objectives.
• Assist MME in arranging interviews with research faculty, staff, students, and administrators as appropriate.
• Help prepare UTA research personnel for media interviews.
• Compile and maintain experts lists.
• Coordinate closely with the University’s schools, colleges, and administrative units in order to identify and develop story ideas in an editorial calendar, cultivate faculty experts, ensure consistency of overall messaging, and avoid duplication of effort and resources.
• Develop leadership communications, including strategic messaging, presentations, speeches and talking points, as well as key in-person or virtual meetings.
• Independently cultivate collegial and productive relationships with senior administrators, vice presidents, deans, department chairs, external colleagues, and others.
• Provide analytics reports for internal distribution to inform university leadership of communications progress and successes with a mind toward shifting priorities based on data.
• Develop internal mechanisms for communications, including protocols, workflows, and standard operating procedures.
• Establish and oversee activities that improve the quality and quantity of operational outputs.
• 7. Performs other duties assigned.