Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a cover letter and a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application. We suggest the documents be in a PDF format to avoid formatting issues.

Position Summary

The Digital Communications and Marketing Specialist is a full-time, on-site position that serves as the primary staff member for establishing, monitoring, and maintaining the internal and external digital presence for the Doerr Institute for New Leaders at Rice University, with the goal in mind of increasing brand awareness and departmental visibility. This position will be a liaison between the Doerr Institute, Rice constituents, and the rest of the world.

The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and will be a self-starter with the ability to manage competing priorities, think broadly, and interact with a wide range of stakeholders with professionalism.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• One year of related experience managing social media and digital communication platforms
• Skills Required
  • Strong oral and written communication skills
  • Familiar with AP Style
  • Familiar with technology, social platforms, current and future trends
  • Organized and creative
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Ability to take direction and work to meet expected deadlines and schedules
  • Demonstrated team player

Essential Functions

• Participates in the development of the digital communication and brand strategy for a program(s), department or unit
• Writes, designs, and coordinates the production of digital communication and marketing materials
• Recommends integrated communications and / or marketing plans to meet objectives
• Assists in building and / or maintaining a digital community through social media channels, blogs and the web
• Regularly implements website content updates, including building and updating pages and implementing SEO updates
• Follows existing brand and style standards as well as creating new graphic designs and style guides as needed
• Drafts content used to engage constituents and grow channels
• Implements social listening efforts and reports back to management
• Provides customer service to constituents across digital channels
• Represents the organization to constituents
• Analyzes data to measure success within social media channels and email, while identifying new optimization opportunities to increase engagement
• Creates and oversees annual marketing budget
• Manages planning and arrangement of events designed to increase brand awareness and departmental visibility
• Interacts with student affiliates to facilitate marketing content
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

• Three years of experience managing social media and digital communications platforms
• Experience in external communications in an academic or leader development environment
• Experience managing materials and logistics for national or international conferences
• Experience measuring impact of digital campaigns using Google Analytics and other analytics tools
• Experience with maintaining websites using a content management system, preferably Drupal
• Experience designing print and digital media such as posters, videos, ads, digital displays and email campaigns
• Experience coordinating media relations to include sponsored content, paid advertising, and earned media
• Experience serving as a brand manager, specifically implementing standards and strategies to elevate a brand
• Deadline driven proficiency in writing quality content for paper and/or electronic marketing materials
• Able to manage and triage various communications requests; can generate content, coordinate with others as necessary to manage projects and complete requests in a timely manner
• Professional demeanor, works well in teams, detail-oriented
• Experience with HubSpot or equivalent marketing automation software

Rice University HR / Benefits website
https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values
https://www.rice.edu/mission-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.

Current Rice University COVID policies, which include vaccination, face mask, testing, gatherings, occupancy limits, and travel policies can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies