Communications Specialist

Inside Higher Ed; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; USD 42,700 - 52,167; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

A university-based organization in Chapel Hill is seeking a part-time Communications Specialist to promote research and manage multiple communications platforms. The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field and professional experience in communications or journalism. Responsibilities include managing websites, social media, and developing research communication products. This position offers a flexible work schedule and opportunities for professional development.

Qualifications

• Professional experience in communications or journalism is required.
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks.
• Advanced knowledge of communication media/tools and file conversions.

Responsibilities

• Promote the research of CPC Faculty Fellows within communities.
• Manage project websites and social media accounts.
• Develop communication products such as press releases.

Skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Interpersonal skills

Editing skills

Copyediting skills

Proofreading skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline

Tools

MS Word

Desktop publishing software

Job description

Overview

Join to apply for the Communications Specialist role at Inside Higher Ed

Posting Open Date: 09/10/2025
Application Deadline: 09/17/2025

Position Details

• Position Type: Permanent Staff (SHRA)
• Working Title: Communications Specialist
• Position Number: 20072986
• Vacancy ID: P020530
• Full-time/Part-time: Part-Time Time-Limited
• Estimated Duration of Appointment: 3 years
• Hours Per Week: 30
• Work Schedule: 20 hrs/week within 8am-5pm range and 10 hrs/week flexible
• Work Location: Chapel Hill, NC
• Position Location: North Carolina, US
• Salary Range: $42,700 - $52,167, prorated salary range for .75FTE/30hrs per week

Organizational Context

Primary organization: Carolina Population Center-631100. The CPC promotes population science through data collection, research, and interdisciplinary training. See https://www.cpc.unc.edu/about/ for more information.

Position Summary

Under the direction of the CPC Deputy Director for Research Services and the CPC Director, the Communications Specialist will be responsible for promoting the research of CPC Faculty Fellows within the Carolina and global research communities and to the general public. This position will also provide dedicated communications support to Carolina Demography. The position is partially supported by funds from Center grants and contracts with non-UNC organizations. The role will support communications cores included in NIH-funded Population Center Core (P2C) and Aging Center (P30) grants. Responsibilities include managing multiple CPC and project websites and social media accounts, coordinating CPC staff and Fellow participation in events, and developing research communication products such as press releases, op-eds, and news features.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in a discipline related to the area of assignment; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Required Qualifications

Professional experience in communications, publications or journalism required.

Preferred Qualifications

Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail, strong interpersonal skills, ability to work well under pressure, and to handle multiple tasks effectively, prioritize, and set and achieve goals. Demonstrated outstanding editing, copyediting, and proofreading skills; ability to develop and edit content for disseminating research results to various audiences and tailor content to specific audiences. Ability to work independently, track research outputs, and proactively reach out to faculty to develop research stories. Demonstrated experience with database management, advanced communications media/tools, software, and file conversions. Advanced knowledge of MS Word and experience with graphics and desktop publishing software.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

Must be able to work on location in the project’s Chapel Hill office to have frequent personal interactions with technical and editorial staff.

Position/Schedule Requirements

Evening work occasionally, Weekend work occasionally.

EEO and Additional Information

Be a Tar Heel: UNC-Chapel Hill offers a comprehensive benefits package and professional development opportunities. This posting includes standard requirements and information about the position as described above. This section preserves essential legal and institutional information while omitting extraneous boilerplate.