Manager of Strategic Communications

Job Details:
General Notes
The Manager of Strategic Communications is a valued member of the Communications, Marketing and Engagement team within the Operational Services and Strategies (OSS) office under the Vice President of Operations at The University of Texas at Austin. We seek a thoughtful content creator and media specialist to help tell the story of projects and priorities within the OSS portfolio, with a particular emphasis on Discovery to Impact. This position will support the Executive Director of Strategic Communications.

Your skills will make a difference.

You’ll be working for a university that is internationally recognized for our academic programs and research. Your work will contribute to operational excellence and enhance the student experience. If you’re the type of person that wants to know your work has meaning and impact, you’ll like working in our department and for UT Austin. UT Austin provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:

Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)

Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options

Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays

Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds

Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)

Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses

Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities

Tuition assistance

Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets

Free access to UT Austin’s libraries and museums with staff ID card

Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card

For more details, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards.

Purpose
The Manager of Strategic Communications is a valued member of the Communications, Marketing and Engagement team within the Operational Services and Strategies (OSS) office under the Vice President of Operations at The University of Texas at Austin. OSS helps create exceptional student, campus, and innovation experiences in support of the University’s mission.

The position focuses on media relations, storytelling, and integrated communications across digital and traditional platforms in support of activities and initiatives across the OSS portfolio, with a particular emphasis on Discovery to Impact. The position will report to the Executive Director of Strategic Communications.

Responsibilities
Creates, reviews, and edits written materials including press releases, FAQs, organizational web stories, social media posts, presentations and other content in a timely manner.

Contributes ideas to the editorial calendar including coordination with internal stakeholders and story-mining with subject matter experts.

Develops story ideas and media pitches.

Coordinates the distribution, tracking, and assessment of media pitches and news releases.

Manages proactive and reactive media inquiries and coordinates interview requests that support a positive image of the University.

Assists the communications team in crafting strategic internal and external communications.

Organizes and manages organizational events (e.g., townhalls, department-wide meetings, speaker series, etc.).

Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in communications, English, journalism, public relations, or related field

5 – 7 years of related communications experience

Proficiency in Microsoft applications (Word, Excel, PPT, etc.)

Media relations experience

Proficiency in AP style editing

Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others

Effective verbal and written communication skills

Strong interpersonal and organizational skills

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications
Experience communicating with large and varied audiences

Experience with crisis communication and issues management

Knowledge of analytics tools for media and digital performance

Basic photography and graphic design skills

Salary Range
$90,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions
This position requires a physical presence in a standard office environment at the UT main campus and is not eligible for a regular remote or hybrid work at this time.

Required Materials
Resume/CV

3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Letter of interest

Final candidates will be asked to provide a writing sample

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for “Find UT Jobs.” Update your Professional Profile in your Worker Profile before you apply. The application will prompt you to upload your resume and respond to application questions to upload any additional Required Materials noted above.

Employment Eligibility
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant.

Employment Eligibility Verification
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States no later than the third day of employment.

E-Verify
The University of Texas at Austin uses E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires. The university’s company ID number for E-Verify is 854197.

Compliance
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report online or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.

Learn more here