Director of Communications

The Office of Marketing and Communications at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise seeks candidates for the position of Director of Communications with exceptional storytelling skills, sharp news judgment, and demonstrated ability to assist in crisis management. The successful candidate for this position will employ these and other writing and editorial skills, as well as a collaborative spirit, to find and tell compelling stories that elevate the reputation of UVA Wise.Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications, the Director of Communications will produce and edit news and feature content for publication in a digital storytelling serial; in local and regional media outlets; on the College’s social media; and in the

UVA Wise

magazine. This content should include written narratives, compelling photographs, videos, infographics, and more, created in collaboration with other members of the Office of Marketing and Communications. A dotted line reporting structure to the Chancellor of UVA Wise, for coordination and advising during crisis communications, is also in place.Job Responsibilities

RESPONSIBILITIES:Content Curation and Creation:Develop and execute a storytelling approach for the organization that is aligned with the broader UVA Wise strategic plan and distribute content through a serial email, social media, the magazine, and other communication tools.Engage communicators across campus to educate them about institutional storytelling strategies and encourage contributions to support overall content strategies.Measure the reach and impact of communications strategies to evolve and improve storytelling strategy.Sharing Content with Partners:Develop rapport and ongoing relationships with local, regional, and national reporters, editors, and producers to earn regular news coverage, in alignment with organizational objectives.Oversee the preparation, production, and distribution of information to the media and the public, which includes researching, writing, and approving major press releases and announcements.Respond to media inquiries and coordinate interviews with campus leaders as needed.Advise faculty and institutional leaders on media presence and presentation.Monitor news coverage and media mentions.Assisting with Crisis CommunicationServe as a key consultant for crisis communications and respond to requests regarding issues of a sensitive or controversial nature.Benchmark best practices in higher education and other industries to ensure a contemporary approach to issues management and crisis communications.In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.Requirements

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION:A bachelor’s degree in English, communications, or a related field is required, as is five years or more of experience in regular content curation and production. A knowledge of Associated Press style and the ability to publish stories to a content management system, email client, and social media are preferred.A collaborative style that is collegial and respectful and a propensity to coach others regarding communication with unflappability and diligence is vital. The ability to balance the urgency of media inquiries and longer-term strategic communication content is necessary. A passion for storytelling, excitement for news, and a commitment to the principles of higher education’s role in our region is a must.

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