Communications Coordinator, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 62,550 - 76,450; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive health benefits

Generous paid vacation

Tuition assistance

Flexible spending account options

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in Austin seeks a Communications Coordinator to enhance its reputation through strategic communication initiatives. The ideal candidate has extensive experience in digital communication, social media management, and content creation. This full-time role requires strong project management skills and a bachelor’s degree in a related field. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• At least seven years of experience in communications or marketing.
• Demonstrated experience writing press releases and/or news and feature articles.
• Strong attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate a strategic communications plan.
• Create high-quality graphic design, written materials, and digital content.
• Oversee the department’s social media channels and website.

Skills

Digital communication strategies

Social media management

Project management

Press release writing

Graphic Design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Content Management Systems

Job description

Communications Coordinator, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics

Join to apply for the Communications Coordinator, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics role at The University of Texas at Austin

As the new space age emerges, the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at The University of Texas at Austin has the exciting opportunity to establish itself as the nucleus for technology development for new space and as the hub for the next generation of computational methods and data analytics for aerospace. This role has a high impact on our ability to promote cutting‑edge research in areas such as space engineering/science, aviation, robotics, computation, mechanics and more. At UT Aerospace, where our academic programs rank among the top 10 in the nation, the sky is not the limit!

Benefits

• 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

Responsibilities

• Develop and coordinate a strategic communications plan – anticipate and plan for strategic communications needs for the department, working with leadership, faculty and staff to maintain an overarching plan and implement lower‑level plans. Identify opportunities to increase awareness of ASE, establish relationships with other university units, and report information for broader audiences as appropriate.
• Content creation – create high‑quality graphic design, written materials and digital content that enhance the department’s reputation. Produce key communication pieces such as magazines, newsletters, press releases, feature articles, short videos, marketing email campaigns, and messaging for ASE leadership.
• Social media and website management – oversee the department’s social media channels, digital screens and website, promote achievements, monitor comments and conversations, engage audiences, track trends, and use analytics to guide strategy. Supervise a social media student associate.
• Project management – coordinate and oversee communications projects, including re‑branding initiatives, new tools, promotional items, and vendor coordination.
• Brand management and media relations – act as the department’s media contact, assist media relations efforts, produce press releases, pitch stories, field reporter questions, and set up media interviews. Develop strategies to strengthen ASE brand and identity while adhering to trademark policies.
• Event support – promote, execute and enhance events, serve as designated photographer, assist event coordination, and work with volunteers. Coordinate alumni relations projects with the alumni and industry engagement coordinator.
• Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications or a related field, or equivalent experience and at least seven years of experience.
• Proven experience with digital communication strategies and social media (preferably LinkedIn and Instagram).
• Demonstrated experience writing press releases and/or news and feature articles.
• Ability to make complex subject matter accessible and compelling to diverse audiences.
• Strong project management skills.
• Experience with publishing content to web‑based content management systems.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team in a dynamic environment.
• Demonstrated professionalism.
• Strong attention to detail.

Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Seven or more years of experience in communications or marketing.
• Experience in strategic planning.
• Experience with media relations.
• Photography skills and experience.
• Experience with graphic design tools for print and online communications, including Adobe Creative Suite.

Salary Range

$69,500 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions.
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

Work Shift

• Standard work schedule is Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
• Work outside of normal business hours may be required on an occasional basis during peak periods.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• Letter of interest
• Three work references contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Finalists will be asked to provide writing samples and examples of produced social media content.

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers:

You will be prompted to submit your resume in the first step of the online job application process. Then, any additional required materials will be uploaded in the My Experience section; you can multi‑select the additional files or click the Upload button for each file. 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 Jobs. Before you apply, log in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left‑hand navigation menu and update the sections in your Professional Profile. This information will be pulled into your application. The application is one page and you will need to click the Upload button multiple times to attach your Resume, References and 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 finalists 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. Employees with access to compensation information may disclose it only in response to a formal complaint, in furtherance of an investigation, or as required by law.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I‑9 form and present acceptable original documents proving identity and authorization to work in the United States no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment.

E‑Verify

The University of Texas at Austin uses E‑Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. 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). If this position requires you to be identified as a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report, which can be accessed here or obtained from University Compliance Services.

Seniority level

Not Applicable

Employment type

Full‑time

Job function

Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing

Industries

Higher Education

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