Communications Coordinator

Job Posting Title:

Communications Coordinator

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Hiring Department:

Biomedical Engineering

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

The Department of Biomedical Engineering has a mission to develop clinically translatable solutions for human health by training the next generation of biomedical engineers, cultivating leaders, and nurturing the integration of science, engineering, and medicine in a discovery-centered environment.  This role has a high impact on our ability to promote our cutting-edge research and efforts. Our faculty includes two members of the National Academy of Engineering, two members of the National Academy of Inventors, and two members of the National Academy of Medicine. We strive to pioneer the transfer of biomedical engineering research into applications that will advance and improve health care throughout Texas and the world.

As part of the Cockrell School of Engineering, we’re committed  to building an inclusive environment, free from all forms of hate, racism and injustice, where students, faculty and staff feel safe and supported. Every member of our school community — whoever you are, wherever you are from and whatever you believe — is valued. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome all qualified applicants regardless of race, ethnicity, physical ability, sexual orientation, gender and gender expression, or socioeconomic background.

Purpose

Lead the development, coordination and implementation of a strategic communications plan to inform and educate key audiences and the public about the Department of Biomedical Engineering. Direct departmental communications and marketing efforts, including managing the department’s website and social media channels, marketing materials, media relations, and branding guidance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate a strategic communications plan – Anticipate and plan for strategic communications needs for the department – in concert with department leadership, including (but not limited to): the promotion of large-scale initiatives, events, awards, or special projects, and the regular assessment of communication tools or channels to keep PR efforts aligned with current relevant trends. Collaborate with management, faculty and staff to develop and maintain an overarching strategic communications plan and implement lower-level communications plans for specific activities as needed. Identify new opportunities to increase awareness of BME. Establish relationships and liaise with other university units, departments and colleges for the purposes of coordinating communications and PR efforts and reporting information for broader audiences when appropriate. Represent BME on college communications team.

• Content creation – Create high-quality graphic design and written materials and digital content to enhance the department’s reputation and national standing, with a focus on priority areas including (but not limited to) ground-breaking research; graduate student and faculty recruiting; diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives; alumni and corporate relations; and fundraising. Create and disseminate key communication pieces.

• Social media and website management – Oversee maintenance of the department’s social media channels and website, promote department achievements and activities, actively seek out and identify new opportunities and ways to enhance the department’s visibility and ensure content is delivered in accordance with university branding guidelines. In managing social media, monitor comments and conversations, actively engage with audiences, track trends, and seek opportunities to improve and expand the department’s presence. Utilize analytics reports to provide strategic direction and elevate communications efforts.

• Project management – Coordinate and oversee communications projects, such as any re-branding initiatives, build-out of new communications tools, developing new marketing materials, the selection, design and branding of promotional items, vendor coordination, etc.

• Media relations – Act as the department’s media contact and assist media relations efforts driven by the College and University communications teams. Help produce press releases and pitch or place stories within university channels and in targeted media outlets to increase coverage. Field questions from reporters and set up media interviews for faculty and researchers as needed. (10%)

• Event support – As a member of the department’s communications team, promote, execute and enhance events, outreach and development efforts such as the Biomedical Engineering Society events, External Advisory Council, graduation reception, alumni events, department seminars. Supervise Senior Events Coordinator responsible for departmental event coordination. Coordinate with department leadership regarding alumni relations projects.

• Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or a related field and seven years of professional experience in communications, marketing or public relations.

• Proven experience with digital communication strategies and social media (preferably Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram).

• Demonstrated experience writing press releases and or news and feature articles.

• Ability to make complex subject matter accessible and compelling to a range of audiences with varying levels of technical knowledge about the topics presented.

• Strong project management skills.

• Experience with publishing content to web-based content management systems.

• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.

• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team in a dynamic environment.

• Demonstrated professionalism.

• Strong attention to detail.

Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• More than seven years of experience in communications, marketing, or public relations.

• Experience in strategic planning.

• Experience with media relations.

• Photography skills and experience (photography equipment will be provided).

• Experience with graphic design tools for print and online communications, including Adobe Creative Suite.

Salary Range

$69,500+ depending on qualifications

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• Letter of interest

• Three work references with contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

• Finalists will be asked to provide writing samples and examples of produced social media content

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

• Some weekend, evening and holiday work

• Opportunity for flexible and remote work schedule

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left-hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled into your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer , complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
• E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031 .

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the 2021 report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe, Suite UTA 2.206, Austin, TX 78701.