University of North Texas – Denton Looking for Sr Communications Specialist -News at Denton, TX  Full Time

• Advance and protect UNT’s institutional identity and reputation.
• Reinforce and grow UNT’s brand in graphics, images and words.
• Increase UNT’s visibility in public and in the higher education marketplace.
• Support UNT’s student recruitment, retention and graduation goals.
• Strengthen UNT’s relevance and value to key audiences, including alumni, donors, faculty and staff members, and encourage community engagement.

This is professional and administrative work developing engaging, informative, strategic and creatively packaged content about UNT’s scholarship, academics, campus life, community outreach and other activities for UBSC media relations, publications and social media. Content should always showcase the university’s strongest assets and support UNT’s progress in the achievement of its mission and goals. This person works independently and as part of work teams in collaboration with other UBSC staff members to accomplish content creation and dissemination.

Bachelor’s Degree in related field and three years of experience in writing and/or editing publications; or any equivalent combination of experience, education, and training

• Ability to conceptualize, write and edit strategic, accurate and concise content for university audiences.
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, conduct multiple tasks and maintain effective working relationships
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to visually inspect print and online copy when self-editing or editing the copy of others
• Works effectively within a team and effectively works closely with other staff, faculty, and students toward a common goal.
• Extensive knowledge of spelling, grammar, punctuation and Associated Press and Chicago Manual styles.
• Knowledge of writing styles and guidelines for various media formats and ability to create, coordinate and edit copy for each format (print, digital/social media, video, broadcast, etc.).
• Understanding of institutional strategy (or ability to quickly assimilate) and ability to integrate the strategy into modes of communication.
• Ability to supervise and coordinate the work of others.
• Knowledge of and ability to research industry best practices to assist the division, college or unit in aligning strategies for UNT publications (print and digital) with University strategy and guidelines.

The University of North Texas System and its component institutions are committed to equal opportunity and comply with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University of North Texas System and its component institutions do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or veteran status in its application and admission processes, educational programs and activities, and employment practices.

Understands UNT’s and UBSC’s mission and strategic goals, as well as key messaging, and works to help meet those goals as part of teams and independently.

Works to create strategic content that aligns and embeds messaging in press releases, media pitches, brand journalism articles, social media, videos and publications to build the university’s image and reputation.

Understands university audiences and creates audience targeted content that is accurate and strategic. This includes writing for audiences across all unt.edu properties and in UNT publications and emails.

Creates content that supports university initiatives and advances the university’s vision and goals, highlights UNT’s growth as a student-centered research university and provides an entertaining, engaging and informative experience.

Works to protect and promote the image of the university and the president by writing and editing content and understanding key messages and reworking those into other materials as appropriate.

Collaborates with creative and web designers, photographers/videographers and other UBSC team members in the creation of written/visual/video/graphic content for print and online.

Evaluates university projects, work of faculty, alumni and others for news and image value.

Conducts in-depth interviews, gathers information, performs necessary research to create accurate, complete content.

Covers assigned beats and remains aware of news happening on these topics, shares information with others across the division in a timely manner.

Meets deadlines and produces content that is accurate, up to UBSC standards and follows AP and UBSC style.

As necessary, edits others’ writing to ensure accuracy, clarity and to apply office standards and style.

Works as a team member and as necessary a team leader. Establishes rapport with teams and fosters empowerment.

Encourages an empowered team environment, participates in planning and works to ensure teams are informed, collaborative and productive. Supports the overall efforts of the office; pitches in where needed, whenever needed; exhibits team spirit; supports and works toward achieving goals set by supervisors. Places needs of university and team ahead of personal goals and ambitions.

Meets regularly with staff from other areas of campus to stay current on campus initiatives, goals, acquire information, and build effective relationships, including meeting regularly as needed with UNT community members, external constituents, and others.

Monitors current affairs and issues for opportunities to keep university messaging and publication content current. Stays current in professional matters and overall trends through reading, attendance at appropriate conferences, workshops and webinars.

Plans, coordinates, writes and produces press releases, media alerts, brand journalism stories, social media posts and assists in content writing for UBSC publications, videos and website.

Serves as a social media monitor across UNT branded social media pages during scheduled shifts and stays up-to-date on social media trends and issues. Provides social media monitoring reports to team members and supervisors. Stays up-to-date on appropriate social media responses and follows guidelines for social media response and reporting.

May provide content and execution of student and administrative announcements and contributes content and expertise to other UBSC teams when needed.

Communicates effectively, efficiently and professionally in an official capacity with entities outside of UNT. Brings to the manager’s attention any problems that might arise from these correspondences.

Participates in the execution of UNT’s content strategies as they relate to promoting UNT’s mission, successes, expertise and reputation in the media, web and other content areas and makes recommendations for improvement.

Uses UNT audience and usability based research and sound professional judgment as the basis for all decisions.

Maintains competencies in UBSC analytics platforms and uses these platforms to provide analysis of earned media, prepare reports, build media lists and cultivate relationships with media contacts.

Serves as an account executive for assigned university areas. As an account executive will serve as a project manager to facilitate timely services and support from UBSC for the assigned areas. Projects may include providing information about UBSC services, facilitating content and design for printed pieces, videography, photography, advertising, collateral, design and communication resources.