Public Engagement and Communication Specialist

Facilities Planning & Design

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. The University will not sponsor applicants for this position for employment visas.

The Public Engagement and Communication Specialist will support the coordination and management of communication and public engagement strategies for the University of Missouri-St. Louis' Facilities Management efforts including its Transform UMSL initiative, a $110 million physical transformation of the UMSL campus. The position is embedded within the UMSL Facilities Department, working closely with the Office of the Chancellor and University Marketing and Communications to ensure transparent, consistent, and effective communication with all campus stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Communication Strategy Development:

• Develop and implement comprehensive communication strategies covering various aspects of campus transformation projects.
• Identify key audiences, messages and communication channels to reach diverse stakeholders effectively.

2. Content Creation:

• Write and edit press releases, emails, scripts/talking points, newsletters, website content, and social media posts to inform stakeholders about construction projects, including updates, timelines, impacts, and various aspects of the campus transformation.
• Collaborate with marketing to create engaging visuals, including info-graphics and presentations, to support communication efforts.

3. Stakeholder Engagement:

• Serve as the primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding the physical campus transformation.
• Organize and facilitate town hall meetings and informational sessions to address questions and concerns.

5. Crisis Communication:

• Manage crisis communication plans related to Facilities Management to address any critical issues that may arise such as outages or campus closures.
• Monitor public sentiment and media coverage, providing timely responses to misinformation.

6. Project Collaboration:

• Work closely with the Planning Design and Construction Director and the project managers to gather accurate information and updates for communication materials.
• Collaborate with the Chancellor's Office and the University Marketing and Communications unit to align messaging with institutional goals.

7. Evaluation and Reporting:

• Track and analyze communication metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of communication and public relations efforts.
• Prepare regular reports for management on communication outcomes and stakeholder feedback

40 hrs per week. Additional hours may be needed during peak times

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 3 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

• Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, or a related field.
• Proven experience in public engagement, communications, or a similar role, preferably in a higher education or construction environment.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information clearly and concisely.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency in social media platforms, content management systems, and basic graphic design software.
• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse groups and build strong relationships with stakeholders
• Experience in public engagement, crisis communication, and media relations.
• Familiarity with construction terminology and processes.
• Knowledge of higher education environment and campus dynamics.

Pay commensurate with education and experience.
Hiring Range: $51,875 - $57,705 Annual
Grade: GGS-10
University Title: SENIOR STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATE

Application materials include a cover letter and resume. Finalists will be asked to provide references at a later date.

Applicants must combine all application materials into one PDF or Microsoft Word document and upload as a resume attachment to the UMSL Job site: http://umsl.jobs.

Limit document name to 50 characters. Maximum size limit is 11MB. Do not include special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.). For questions about the application process, please email employment@umsl.edu. If you are experiencing technical problems, please email umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu.

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please email the Office of Human Resources at umslhr@umsl.edu.