Deputy Director for Communications and Archives

The Howard University; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellness

Work-Life Balance

Financial Wellness

Professional Development

Additional Perks

Job summary

The Howard University is seeking a proactive communications and archives professional to support the Executive Director for Campus Planning, Architecture & Development. You will produce high-quality content, manage archives, and coordinate communications for REDCAM across multiple channels.

Collaborating with deputies and project managers, you will ensure accurate narratives, data, and timely updates for internal and external stakeholders, while maintaining brand guidelines and coordinating with

Qualifications

• Experience supporting communications and archive-related activities.
• Ability to develop engaging content for diverse audiences.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling abilities.

Responsibilities

• Plan and oversee communications activities across websites, press, media relations, social media, publications, and multimedia for REDCAM.
• Document and manage archives, including project narratives, catalogs, digitization, and progress ledgers.
• Create engaging content for internal and external audiences and manage internal communications flows.
• Develop and implement communication strategies, including media outreach and collateral production.
• Coordinate press conferences, town halls, and events with stakeholders and manage external vendors.
• Draft press releases and website content, respond to media requests, and maintain REDCAM knowledge of policies and strategies.

Skills

Communications planning

Archives management

Media relations

Content creation

Editorial skills

Vendor management

Project coordination

Job description

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff "for fit" makes significant contributions to Howard University's overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer:

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

BASIC FUNCTION:

The purpose of this position is to provide technical and administrative support to the Executive Director for Campus Planning, Architecture & Development in the areas of communications and archives, to encompass all aspects of REDCAM's real estate development portfolio.

Position will work with other Deputy Directors, Project Managers and various stakeholders to support the Executive Director in a communications and project documentation capacity, while assisting peers to produce high-quality project outcomes, detailed documentation, and correlated data/language sets.

DIMENSIONS:

Indeterminate

NATURE AND SCOPE:

This position has contact with REDCAM employees as well as with other University stakeholders. May also have contact with outside entities including municipal officials.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Responsible for planning, oversight, production and implementation of communications-related activities for REDCAM, including, but not limited to: website, press, media relations, social media, publications, awards, grant writing, presentations, and multimedia/video for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Responsible for planning, oversight, production and implementation of archives-related activities for REDCAM, including, but not limited to: documenting completed and ongoing projects; cataloguing, digitizing and contextualizing materials; creating and documenting narratives and storytelling elements; maintaining a weekly ledger of REDCAM progress and activities; conducting historic and contextual research projects.
• Ensures units within the university's stakeholder network (internal and external) have appropriate access to REDCAM messaging. Responsible for creation of engaging content for various platforms catering to numerous user groups.
• Develops effective communication strategies and correlated tactics.
• Manages and improves internal communications (memos, newsletters, etc.).
• Manages and improves internal and external communications flows.
• Develops and implements a communication strategy that includes media outreach, marketing tools, collateral, content creation, social media management, and other cutting-edge approaches to communications for both internal and external audiences.
• Arranges and coordinates press conferences, town halls, and planned events with stakeholders.
• Drafts content for mass media or website.
• Liaises with media and handles requests for interviews, statements etc.
• Manages external communications vendors and collaborates with university communications and marketing professionals to create and implement communications plans and produce copy, including for advertisements or articles.
• Researches and writes press releases, and content for the REDCAM website, infographics, blogs, and newsletters.
• Acquires and maintains a detailed knowledge of REDCAM and University policies, principles, and strategies, and keeps up-to-date with relevant developments.
• Facilitates the resolution of disputes with external role-players.
• Adheres to the University's style guide, ensuring that we produce a high-quality and error-free content.
• Works with key internal role-players to brainstorm content ideas, in line with the REDCAM strategy and in support of various brand initiatives.
• Supports and evaluates results of communication campaigns with the team.
• Builds and maintains relationships with journalists and key external role-players.
• Determines content topics, coordinates with others to obtain information, writes, edits, designs and sends to students, alumni, donors and community and business contacts.
• Prepares and supervises the production of press releases, announcements, brochures, event materials, photographs, newsletters, etc.
• Promotes a positive public image for REDCAM and the University.
• Manages contracts and contractors for communications and archive-related projects, ensuring that Howard University policies are followed and projects are delivered on time and on budget.
• Effectively administers supplier base to attain cost savings targets and supports spending initiatives with Diverse Firms (e.g. CBE, Minority/Women owned Business Ent