Third-level professional in the marketing and communications job family responsible for news writing, media relations, and social media to support the goals of the College of Science and Engineering. This position reports to the College of Science and Engineering Director of Communications and Marketing and is part of the college’s Communications and Marketing team.

Responsibilities:

Writing and content creation - 50%

• Writes, edits, packages, and distributes news releases and stories for web, social media, newsletters, and news media outlets
• Initiates story ideas that align with college and University goals
• Works with the Director of Communications and Marketing to strategize and decide what type of content to create as well as how and where it will be used to further College and University goals
• Interviews CSE faculty, students, alumni, and donors to tell the story of the college and its impact worldwide
• Uses ethical storytelling best practices to achieve goals while respecting the lives and stories of those featured
• Simplifies complex research to write news stories, news releases, and other marketing content
• Takes photos and video; produces and edits video stories
• Initiates ideas and produces both print and digital content for CSE’s Inventing Tomorrow alumni magazine
• Conducts research and fact-checking for news releases and stories

Media Support & Strategy - 20%

• Works with the CSE Communications and Marketing team and UMN Public Relations to develop and implement proactive media and amplification strategies that enhance the college’s reputation and thought leadership
• Builds and maintains relationships with key reporters to pitch stories
• Builds and maintains relationships with internal and external key communicators, including those at the University, at federal agencies and within industry, to support wide distribution of research news
• Provides media training to faculty and students
• Responds and coordinates response to media inquiries, including working with researchers to organize photo/video shoots with the media
• Oversees media coverage tracking and reporting
• Develops and maintains media reports and databases
• Informs stakeholders of media coverage
• Follows issues and coverage, particularly those with potential impact on CSE, to consider any strategic communications needs or opportunities for the college

Social media management - 25%

• Initiates social media content strategies and helps manage the CSE social media presence on various channels
• Creates social media analytics reports and audits to track the success of campaigns and drive decision making
• Consults with departments and centers to plan and execute social media best practices and digital marketing strategies
• Initiates promotional campaigns to move the college’s goals forward
• Organizes and implements social media campaigns by gathering content, writing, and scheduling posts through the college’s social media platforms
• Monitors social media channels and engages with other organizational accounts and users

Other duties as assigned - 5%

• Trains and manages student workers
• Mentors junior employees
• Files and organizes images and videos used in media and social media

Required qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or related field plus at least four years experience
• Demonstrated strong oral and written communications skills with an emphasis on news writing experience and proficiency in Associated Press style
• Experience managing and creating content for institutional social media platforms
• Commitment to the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion

Preferred qualifications:

• Working knowledge of video production, including storyboarding and interviewing
• Working knowledge of photography
• Experience in Drupal or similar content management system
• Experience using Adobe Creative Suite, Salesforce, Asana, Trello, Meltwater, Sprout Social, and other communications, media, and project tracking tools
• Strong organizational skills and demonstrated ability to meet firm deadlines
• Attention to detail, procedures, and branding standards
• Ability to diplomatically balance the needs of various stakeholders
• The ability to solve problems and work independently

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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