Communication Manager
NWU is seeking applications for a communication manager who will support internal and external communication efforts across the university. As a highly detail-oriented, organized, creative contributor on the NWU Marketing and Communications team, the candidate will:
- Enhance the visibility and reputation of Nebraska Wesleyan University through strategic content marketing and communication efforts, including social media.
- Work closely with the chief of staff, the administrative council and campus constituents to develop communication to support NWU’s institutional priorities.
- Be a primary resource for the university’s media relations and crisis communication efforts.
The position includes a competitive salary and comprehensive package with health, vision and dental insurance benefits, retirement benefits, a generous holiday and vacation schedule, and undergraduate tuition remission for employees’ dependents among other benefits.
Nebraska Wesleyan University is a private university serving 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students and committed to a liberal arts education. Located in Lincoln, the capital city of Nebraska, NWU offers programs for traditional and graduate students.
- Functions as a member of marketing and communications to collaborate, create and implement external communication for the university’s comprehensive programs and internal communication for employees and students.
- Develops university content and writes stories for use in marketing materials, and on the university’s website and social media accounts.
- Manages the university’s social media platforms. Collaborates with the multimedia specialist to maximize a digital brand presence and provides social media training for university departments.
- Tracks and influences social media coverage.
- Collaborates with chief of staff, administrative council and other campus departments to develop and execute strategic communication, talking points, and content on university initiatives and events.
- Collaborates with chief of staff to respond to media inquiries and serve as university spokesperson as delegated; Manage sensitive issues to maintain the university’s good reputation.
- Cultivates and maintains relationships with news media and influential professionals
- Arranges media interviews and writes news releases to promote the university.
- Updates and maintains university crisis communication plan in collaboration with the threat assessment team.
- Communicates safety and security information to employees and students in a timely matter through designated communication channels including the Wesleyan Alert System in collaboration with the University Threat Assessment Team.
- Evaluates and supervises student assistants.
- Works an extended schedule, which may include weekends and evenings according to demands of the role and tasks.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
- A bachelor's degree in journalism, public relations, communications or equivalent degree is preferred.
- Three to five years of social media-related and/or public relations or professional communications experience is preferred. Journalism, advertising, or closely related fields will be considered. Photojournalism or experience is considered a plus.
- Must be able to integrate communication planning using a range of external and internal communication solutions, including social media channels, face-to-face, print and electronic channels, and creative media solutions.
- Must have strong attention to detail. Experience in copywriting, editing and/or proofreading is desired.
- Must be able to research, interview and write stories.
- Must be able to draft, edit and deploy social media messaging.
- Must be able to maintain relationships with local media to meet their needs.
- Must be available during crisis situation and develop appropriate messaging in response to crisis situations.
- Must be collaborative in addressing public relations projects as guided by the chief of staff and the administrative council.
- Must understand website content and social media content and platforms. Some understanding of photography and design content is also a plus.
- Must possess strong professional communications skills including business and communications writing, public speaking in small- and large-group settings, and one-to-one interpersonal relationships.
- Must be able to listen to, engage, and influence clients, synthesize and relate complex information, analyze communication problems and opportunities, and to determine what is newsworthy.
- Must have high degree of accountability, organizational, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.
Diversity is a core value of Nebraska Wesleyan University’s mission and we embrace it as a source of strength. Applicants are encouraged to
demonstrate how they enhance and embrace this University core value in a diversity statement submitted as part of their application materials.
Nebraska Wesleyan University provides equal educational and employment opportunities to qualified persons in all areas of university operation without regard to religion or creed, age, genetic information, gender identity and expression, disability, marital status, race, or national or ethnic origin, in compliance with state and federal laws, including but not limited to Title XII, Title IX, and the ADA. E-Verify, EOE.
To apply, please upload a letter of application addressing qualifications, resume, a diversity statement, and the names of three professional references at the following URL: https://nebrwesleyan.applicantpro.com/jobs/ Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.