Communications Specialist

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Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Communications Specialist

Job Summary:

The Wisconsin Union is seeking a communications specialist to help tell the stories of one of the country’s most recognized college unions, to manage the Union’s social media presence and to manage communications for multiple Wisconsin Union stakeholder areas. Reporting to the Wisconsin Union public relations and communications officer, this position develops communications that connect students, staff, Union members, visitors, alumni, community members and news media with the Union’s events, activities, spaces, services and mission.

This position combines social media management, media relations, writing, proofreading, editing, and strategic communications. The communications specialist will manage most Wisconsin Union social media channels, create and publish audience-centered content, monitor and respond to social media conversations and use data to improve the Union’s social media efforts.

The position also writes press releases, feature stories, talking points, media interview preparation documents and other materials; supports media outreach and interview coordination; and serves as a primary spokesperson for assigned Union areas and secondary spokesperson for others’ assigned areas, as needed.

The successful candidate will be an excellent writer, editor and speaker who can move comfortably between planned, strategic communications and time-sensitive communications. This role requires sound judgment, attention to accuracy and accessibility, strong relationship-building skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a complex, highly visible organization.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Monitors reach and effectiveness of communication campaigns, projects, and initiatives
• Provides project management and execution of communications programs, initiatives, and tactical plans
• Writes, edits, and publishes content for various communication projects and marketing platforms to align with strategic initiatives and established communication campaigns
• Communicates with stakeholders to verify requests and identify editorial resources
• Plans editorial content according to established goals and objectives

Serves as the lead communications partner for assigned Wisconsin Union areas by identifying communications needs, developing and implementing plans, advising stakeholders and coordinating projects and deliverables

Supports media relations for assigned areas by developing press materials, responding to inquiries, coordinating interviews, preparing spokespeople and maintaining relationships with journalists and campus communications partners

Leads the day-to-day management of most Wisconsin Union social media channels, including editorial planning, content development, publishing, community management, social listening and performance analysis

Monitors social media conversations for questions, emerging issues, misinformation, safety concerns and reputational risks and coordinates appropriate responses or escalation

Stays informed about social media platform changes, audience behavior and digital communications practices, and recommends appropriate updates to Union social media strategies and protocols

• Prepares spokespeople for interviews and serve as a spokesperson, as assigned
• Monitors news coverage and public conversations relevant to the Wisconsin Union and provides timely summaries or recommendations
• Assists with the recruitment, onboarding, instruction and mentorship of communications interns or other staff, as assigned
• Represents the communications team on Wisconsin Union or campus work groups and at tabling opportunities

Department:

Wisconsin Union, Strategy & Support, Integrated Marketing and Communications

The Wisconsin Union connects students, faculty, staff, members and visitors through shared cultural, social and recreational experiences. The Union’s experiences include performing arts, dining, outdoor recreation, art galleries, hotel stays, and more. The organization’s spaces include Memorial Union, Union South and other campus locations.

Required Qualifications:

• At least two years of communications or public relations experience that includes writing and editing for organizational audiences
• Demonstrated ability to produce clear, accurate and audience-centered content across multiple formats, including press or news-style writing and social media content
• Knowledge of Associated Press style and strong command of grammar, spelling, punctuation and proofreading
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, coordinate contributors and approvals, meet deadlines and adapt when needs change
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively with colleagues, leaders, subject matter experts, students and communications partners
• Demonstrated sound judgment when handling public-facing communications, sensitive information, online interactions and time-sensitive issues
• Experience using social media in support of an organization or company’s goals, mission and operations

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience developing and implementing communications plans for programs, events, organizational priorities or emerging issues
• Experience using social media publishing and listening tools, platform analytics and web analytics to evaluate and improve communications
• Experience with WordPress or another content management system
• Experience creating accessible digital content and basic photo or short-form video content for social media
• Experience using tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud and/or Canva, or related platforms

Schedule :

This is a full-time, ongoing position based in Madison, Wisconsin. The anticipated work arrangement is hybrid. The regular schedule is generally Monday through Friday during standard business hours. Evening, early morning or weekend work will be required based on events, media requests or emerging issues.

Education:

A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, public relations, or a related field required.

How to Apply:

This job will be posted through 10/29 at 11:59pm.

Click the "Apply" button to start the application process.

You will be prompted to upload the following documents:

• -Resume
• -Cover Letter
• -Professional Communication Samples
• Applicants should attach a cover letter and resume detailing how their experience relates to the required qualifications as well as three professional communications samples, including one press release or other media-related sample written in Associated Press style and one social media sample or campaign example.
• Contact Information: Jenny Lee, jenny.lee2@wisc.edu, 608-265-1157.
• Institutional Statement on Diversity: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
• The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
• The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
• Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website .
• To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation  for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR)  in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
• Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
• The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
• The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department .