Manager Communications and Academic Research

University of Richmond; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Richmond Jepson School of Leadership seeks a Manager of Communications and Academic Research to lead communications and publication efforts, and to edit scholarly works for faculty and administrators. The role shapes the school’s national and international profile through media, digital content, and strategic outreach.

The position oversees a wide range of publications, media relations, and social content, and supports faculty research while sharing stories about students, alumni,

Qualifications

• Expertise in communications, marketing, and creative processes.
• Knowledge of media relations and public relations.
• Strong writer and editor with proven experience in managing print and electronic publications.
• Knowledge of research techniques and editing processes.
• Knowledge of computer software and content management systems such as Cascade, InDesign, and Photoshop.
• Proficiency in Word, Acrobat, and Excel.
• Knowledge of style guides: Chicago, AP, APA, MLA.

Responsibilities

• Oversee communications including media and public relations efforts.
• Edit scholarly publications, faculty books, journal articles, and grant proposals.
• Develop and maintain electronic and print publications (website, newsletters, reports, brochures).
• Lead social and digital media strategy and content creation.
• Manage relationships with internal/external partners and freelancers.
• Supervise student assistants who write stories and web content.

Skills

Communications expertise

Media relations

Copyediting & proofreading

Research editing

CMS tools (Cascade, InDesign, Photo

MS Office (Word, Excel, Acrobat)

Style guides (Chicago, AP, APA, MLA)

Education

Bachelor's degree

Three to five years copyediting or writing experience

Tools

Cascade

InDesign

Photoshop

Job description

Position Summary: The Manager, Communications and AcademicResearch, reporting to the Dean, oversees communications for theJepson School of Leadership, highlighting the school's programs andinitiatives and enhancing its reputation as a national andinternational resource in leadership studies. Directscommunications, including media and public relations, electronicand print publications, web and image content, strategic planning,and social media strategy. The manager is tasked with editingscholarly manuscripts for the faculty and writing stories aboutJepson School students, alums, and faculty. This position alsoedits faculty books, journal articles, grant proposals, and otherwriting projects. Support faculty research.

JOB DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

COMMUNICATIONS (65%)

Strategic Planning:

Work with the Jepson School administration and Dean's ExecutiveBoard of Advisors to plan, develop, and implement strategies toenhance the reputation and visibility of the school. Devisestrategies to highlight and market the school's community programs,such as the Jepson Leadership Forum and the Gary McDowell InstituteLecture Series, and the school's academic program. Develop thecommunications and marketing yearly calendar. Research, plan, anddevelop communication strategies to communicate new initiatives ofthe Jepson School. Utilize analytics and data to enhance marketingand communication efforts.

Media and PR:

Collaborate with University Communications to support media andpublic relations efforts for the Jepson School. This includessharing faculty expertise and research, as well as programs andinitiatives that may present opportunities for broader visibility;helping connect University Communications with faculty for mediainterviews; supporting interview coordination; and contributing tothe development and review of news releases and other mediamaterials.

Electronic and Print Publications:

Oversee and manage all electronic and print publications,including the website, electronic newsletter, the Dean's report,grant reports, ads, posters, banners, and brochures for the school.Work with University Communications for approval of brandedcontent. Work with web and editorial strategy teams to enhance thelook and quality of the website. Manage content creation on thewebsite. Create content and write copy for the website and allpublications. Write feature stories and news articles for thenewsletter and website. Edit and change content on the website asneeded. Edit the copy of all electronic and print publications toensure that they are consistent with the tone and style of theUniversity.

Social and Digital Media:

Develop and maintain a comprehensive social media and digitalstrategy. Analyze trends, manage, and create content for theschool's Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and other social mediaaccounts.

Graphic and Image Development:

Develop and maintain graphic standards of the Jepson School.Collaborate with University Communications on brochures, logos, andother design items. Work with vendors to ensure timely printing andpublication. Design graphic materials for advertising and toshowcase the Jepson School and its programs, including posters,mailers, postcards, digital flyers, banners, and other items asneeded. Maintain and update images and photos on the website. Takeand edit photos using software such as Photoshop as needed.

Relationship Management: Manage projects with internal andexternal partners to develop and produce materials. Overseefreelancers as needed. Ensure colleagues' work on the websiteadheres to guidelines and style of the University and providetraining as necessary.

EDITING AND ACADEMIC RESEARCH (35%)

Edit scholarly publications including faculty books and journalarticles as well as grant proposals and other writing projects atthe request of the faculty and administration. Provide editorialsupport to faculty at all stages of the writing and publishingprocess.

Conduct independent outside research for projects initiated byfaculty and the administration.

CONTACTS:

• Administrators, including the Dean, the Associate Dean forStudent and External Affairs, the Associate Dean for AcademicAffairs
• University Communications Leadership Team
• Web Development Leadership Team
• Marketing and communications professionals across campus
• Members of the Dean's Executive Board of Advisors
• Jepson School faculty and staff
• Alumni
• Students
• Members of the Richmond metropolitan area community
• Faculty and staff in academic communities in the U.S. andabroad
• Outside vendors

SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

Hires and oversees freelancers as needed.Manages Jepson School student assistant who writes stories anddevelops web content.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL EFFORT:

Office environment

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Expertise in communications, marketing, and creativeprocesses.
• Knowledge of media relations and public relations.
• Strong writer and editor with proven experience in managingprint and electronic publications.
• Knowledge of research techniques and editing processes.
• Knowledge of computer software and content management systemssuch as Cascade, InDesign, and Photoshop.
• Proficiency in Word, Acrobat, and Excel.
• Knowledge of various style guides, including Chicago, AP, APA,and MLA.

Education & experience:

• Bachelor's degree required
• Media communications, research, and social media experiencepreferred
• Three to five years of experience in copyediting or writingrequired

Scheduled Hours:

Full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 5pm; 38.75 hours per week.

Salary Pay Grade 6: $50,461 to $66,851

This is a full-time exempt position, with UR benefits.