Marketing and Communications Specialist

Oregon State University; Corvallis (OR); On-site; USD 57,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Oregon State University’s TallWood Design Institute in Corvallis seeks a Marketing and Communications Specialist. This full-time role leads strategic communications for TDI, OMTC, and the mass timber ecosystem, shaping brand, digital presence, and events, reporting to the TDI Director.

Required: a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, multimedia, or related field (or equivalent), with strong writing and project management skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, multimedia, or a closely related field (or subject-relevant degree with 2+ years of communications experience).
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills with demonstrated project management experience.
• Excellent computer literacy and digital skills; ability to manage digital campaigns.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement marketing and communications strategies.
• Create high-quality written and multimedia assets for stakeholders.
• Manage e-newsletters, social media, web presence, CRM, and media library.
• Lead event planning and execution for internal and external events and conferences.
• Supervise student workers and contractors supporting marketing/communications.

Skills

Excellent writing

Interpersonal skills

Organizational skills

Digital skills

Campaign planning

Inclusive excellence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in journalism/communications/multimedia (or related field)

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

• On-Campus Work
• Corvallis (Main Campus)
• Full time
• Posted Today
• JR0001548
• End Date: October 29, 2026

Job Summary

Tallwood Design Institute in the College of Forestry at Oregon State University is seeking a Marketing and Communications Specialist. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE), 12-month, professional faculty position.

“From Forest to Frame” is a slogan that captures the spirit of the “mass timber movement”—a renaissance in building with wood that emphasizes holistic thinking and a deepened connection between our built and natural environments. In recent years, mass timber has garnered increasing interest as a potential solution for addressing numerous intertwined societal challenges, particularly considering the intersection of forest health, megafires, rural economic development, climate change, and affordable housing.

In 2022 a coalition of public entities in the State of Oregon — the Oregon Mass Timber Coalition (OMTC) (https://www.masstimbercoalition.org) — received a federal funding award of over $40M under the EDA Build Back Better Regional Challenge program, aimed at addressing these societal challenges through research and infrastructure development in the design, forestry, manufacturing, and housing sectors. Coalition efforts span statewide R&D, workforce development, modular housing prototyping, testing, and manufacturing, and forest restoration.

TallWood Design Institute (https://tallwoodinstitute.org) (TDI), one of OMTC’s founding members and co-recipient of the award, is leading mass timber R&D efforts for the coalition. TDI represents a collaboration between OSU and UO and is a national leader in mass timber‑related research, outreach, and education. TDI’s “home base” is at the Emmerson Advanced Wood Products Lab, part of the OSU College of Forestry’s facilities in Corvallis.

The Marketing and Communications Specialist oversees all strategic communication and marketing efforts related to TDI, OMTC, and the broader regional mass timber ecosystem, from concept to completion. This role plays a key leadership position in shaping TDI’s brand, managing its digital presence, and executing event strategies, all while fostering collaboration among diverse partners. Based at Oregon State University in Corvallis, Oregon, this position reports to the Director of TDI.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement marketing and communications strategies
• Create high‑quality written and multimedia assets to inform our stakeholders about our work
• Manage e‑newsletters, social media, web presence, CRM system and multimedia asset library
• Lead event planning and execution for internal events and external conferences and trade shows
• Supervise student workers and contractors whose work supports the marketing/communications mission

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, multimedia, or a closely related field or a subject‑relevant degree such as architecture, natural resources management, forestry, with two or more years’ experience working in a role that has a major communications component.
• Excellent communication skills, especially writing.
• Strong interpersonal skills and cultural competence.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills and demonstrated project management experience.
• Excellent computer literacy and digital skills.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, manage and deliver digital communications campaigns.
• A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing inclusive excellence.

This position is designated as a critical or security‑sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self‑report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

This position requires driving a university vehicle or a personal vehicle on behalf of the university; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a motor vehicle history check, possess and maintain a current, valid driver’s license in their state of residence, be determined to be position qualified and self‑report convictions as per University Policy 05-030.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in journalism, communications, multimedia, or another closely related field.
• Subject matter knowledge, education or experience in fields relevant to the work of TDI and OMTC, including natural resource management (particularly forest related), timber manufacturing, architecture, environmental science, affordable housing development, structural engineering, construction management, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, manage and deliver digital communications and marketing campaigns, including website management, social media and the use of paid advertising networks.
• Experience in technical writing/science communication, in addition to feature and expository writing.
• Experience planning and managing events.
• Experience in outreach and stakeholder engagement, including public speaking.
• Web management experience.
• Video editing and graphic design skills.

Working Conditions/Schedule

The ability to travel an average of 4 days per month for outreach presentations and activities, including occasional long distance/overnight trips is required.

Salary Range

$57,000-$75,000

Anticipated Start Date

2026-11-30

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. If this position has “critical or security‑sensitive” responsibilities and/or driving duties and you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job‑related pre‑employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at our Background Checks https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/background-checks website including the for candidates https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/candidates section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre‑employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team at [e-mail].

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.