Communications Manager Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy University of Virginia

The University of Virginia Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy’s mission is to develop tomorrow’s leaders and generate new knowledge to solve the world’s toughest public policy challenges. We are seeking an experienced and creative Communications Manager who will be responsible for helping to plan, create, manage and amplify highly compelling content that elevates our profile with our audiences, including students, prospective students, alumni, peer institutions and others. This is a full-time, temporary job lasting six months, with the potential to become a permanent position based on the school’s need and the individual’s performance. 

The manager will possess a broad set of communications skills to create content on a daily basis for our website, digital newsletters, events listings, social media channels and other assets that captures the attention of our audiences and effectively communicates our brand. The manager’s primary focus will be graphics/visual production and management and social media content and strategy. The job also requires solid writing skills, strong technical skills in CMS, CRM and other platforms, and exceptional project management and time management. The manager will collaborate with Batten School teams (Admissions, Faculty, Academics, Student Services, Alumni Services), as well as with a range of UVA partners for various purposes. She/he/they will be detail-oriented, highly organized, capable of juggling multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment, and an active team member capable of self-direction as appropriate. The position reports to Batten’s Assistant Director of Communications.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Design

• Develop creative designs for various projects that include social media graphics, digital newsletters, website elements, campaign logos, large-screen monitors, white papers and reports, Batten-branded swag, etc.
• Adhere to UVA’s brand and style guides while finding innovative ways to elevate the Batten School’s unique mission and vision
• Coordinate and incorporate feedback from multiple team members to finalize designs on deadline 
• Help manage Batten’s digital asset management platform (Canto)

Social Media

• Maintain schedule for content with a primary focus on Batten-generated content but also curating content from our UVA partner schools and units 
• Compose and post text and graphics on Batten’s Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube and Twitter/X accounts, utilizing relevant and strategic tagging protocols
• Track results in real time for opportunities to amplify content
• Monitor/moderate user comments and direct messages and prepare responses as needed
• Interpret analytics and deliver regular reports with recommendations for potential strategy shifts to continually improve content and increase audience and engagement
• Track broader social media trends in higher ed, specifically other public policy programs

 Other

• Help keep Batten’s website updated and assist in the redevelopment of Batten’s website, beginning spring 2024
• Manage editorial calendar and produce content for e-newsletters: weekly events, bi-weekly news, and quarterly research; other institutional emails as needed
• Track and report on email statistics monthly
• Write articles based on faculty research, student and alumni profiles and Batten events
• Supervise student communications interns, freelancers and vendors 
• Take photos and/or video footage of events 
• Other tasks as needed

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in communications, marketing or journalism and 3+ years experience, or 5+ years experience, developing graphics, social media and other marketing and communications assets for mission-driven organization in the public or private sector
• Demonstrated proficiency in CMS and CRM systems. Drupal and Marketing Cloud preferred
• Excellent organizational, analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to deliver high-quality results with minimal instruction and a short turnaround time
• Video editing a plus

TO APPLY:  This position requires some in-person presence at the University of Virginia campus in Charlottesville, Virginia, allowing also for some remote work time. It is a full-time, temporary position currently designed for six months. There may be an opportunity for a successful candidate to transition to a permanent position based on performance and on school needs. Timeframe to start is March 2024. Anticipated pay of $25-$35/hour commensurate with experience. 

Please provide a resume, cover letter, one writing sample and 2-3 graphics and social media samples. Apply through the University of Virginia Human Relations Temps Office. If you are not already in the temp pool, you may sign up here. For questions on signing up, contact James Cathro, Batten Director of Finance and Administration, jrc2jc@virginia.edu. 

Questions about the position can be directed to Batten Assistant Director of Communications Cathryn McCue: cm2x@virginia.edu.