Rice University
Job title:
Director of Communications for the Executive Vice President for Research
Company
Rice University
Job description
Job Description:
Special Instructions to Applicants: This position posting requires a cover letter, resume and three writing samples. The writing samples can be submitted as links in the document section.
Position Summary
We are seeking a full-time inaugural Director of Communications for Rice University’s Office of Research division to conceptualize, guide and lead communication strategies in support of the office’s ambitious goals and objectives. The executive vice president for research oversees the internal and external research ventures, partnering with leadership to bolster the university’s research infrastructure and propel productivity.
The key objective for this role is to develop and implement effective communications strategies, activities, programs and services to ensure effective communications of these activities and academic goals of one of the world’s leading research universities. The versatile and experienced director produces newsletters, talking points, speeches, campus wide announcements, features, brochures, press releases and other types of materials. The director is also charged with planning and managing web pages and social media accounts. In addition, the director creates unique messages and copy to advance the brand and marketing, and edits copy for accuracy, effectiveness and Rice style. The director will have a passion for and advanced understanding of science and research, the capacity to write and synthesize complex materials, and communicate highly technical information in an easily understood manner.
The ideal candidate for the this role will possess a strong background in science/research communications and a high-level higher education or science background.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree
- 3 years of related experience in communications, public relations, writing or related field
Skills
- Knowledge of AP style
- Demonstrated writing skills that translate complex subjects into understandable, accurate and concise laypersons terms
- Strong oral and written communication skills
- Able to write concisely and accurately explain complex subjects in a way that makes them interesting and informative to news media personnel and other key stakeholders and audiences, and understandable to laypersons.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Able to work in a deadline-driven, results-oriented environment with media, public relations, marketing and web professionals and with a wide variety of clients and partners, including Rice faculty, administrators, students, alumni as well as university peers, industry and donors
- Organizational skills and creativity
- Analytical problem-solving skills
- Ability to coordinate projects, determine priorities, set deadlines and complete projects accordingly
- Proven ability to create engaging written content across platforms
Essential Functions
- Responsible for overseeing strategic communication plans to meet organizational objectives for the Office of Research.
- Researches, conceptualizes and writes compelling copy for informational, promotional and public relations projects to support university initiatives and objectives.
- Develops, writes and edits communications on behalf of the Executive Vice President for Research.
- Conveys complex subject matter in an engaging and easy-to-understand style.
- Edits copy for accuracy, effectiveness and Rice AP style.
- Produces newsletters, talking points, speeches, campus wide announcements, features, brochures, press releases, and other types of materials.
- Cultivates faculty, staff, students and other sources for stories and expert commentary.
- Writes copy or repurposes content for the web and social media.
- Creates unique messages and copy to advance the brand and marketing.
- Participates in university wide initiatives and cross-functional teams to establish the organization as a strategic partner and thought leader.
- Provides guidance to others on communications matters related to the academic and research enterprise.
- Manages all digital content for the Office of Research websites, electronic communications and social media.
- Performs all other duties as assigned.
Preferences
- Five of more years of related experience in communications, public relations, writing or related field
- Work experience in higher education and science
- Degree in Science, Engineering, English, Liberal Arts, Communications, Journalism, or related field
Rice University HR | Benefits:
Rice Mission and Values:
Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with commitment to diversity at all levels, and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability or protected veteran status.
Faculty and staff are expected (but not required) to have completed a full vaccination series for COVID-19 (currently defined as full course COVID-19 Vaccine (typically two shots of a WHO-approved COVID-19 Vaccine or one J&J) and a COVID-19 booster. Rice does not require documentation for COVID 19 vaccination at this time for faculty and staff. More information can be found here:
About Us: Boasting a 300-acre tree-lined campus in Houston, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio, and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lectures series, courses and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.
Expected salary
Location
Houston, TX
Job date
Mon, 22 Jan 2024 08:56:13 GMT
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