Senior Communications Strategist

UVA External Relations; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent education institution in Charlottesville, Virginia, is looking for a Senior Communications Strategist to advance philanthropic communications. The role involves writing compelling content, managing media relations, and developing strategic communication plans. Candidates should demonstrate strong storytelling skills and have a Bachelor's degree alongside 5+ years of relevant experience. There's a preference for individuals with expertise in higher education communications. This opportunity fosters professional growth within a reputable advancement community.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant professional experience.
• Demonstrated ability to write and edit effectively.
• Experience in higher education or advancement communications.

Responsibilities

• Write and edit for digital and print platforms.
• Contribute to fundraising materials preparation.
• Coordinate media strategies and relationships.

Skills

Storytelling

Media pitching

Editorial planning

Social media strategy

Content creation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

External Relations at the University of Virginia (UVA) seeks an energetic and experienced communications professional to join its Advancement Communications team as the Senior Communications Strategist. This role will help tell the story of philanthropy at UVA, advance our strategic objectives and grow audiences. The University of Virginia has a strong and reputable advancement community, boasting effective, results-oriented and resourceful professionals. We offer a wide variety of career opportunities, as well as an outstanding environment for professional growth and development.

Position Summary

The Senior Communications Strategist plays a vital role on our communications staff, augmenting a highly effective team of professionals while collaborating to help us prepare for the philanthropy communications opportunities of the future. The role includes fundamental communications responsibilities but also will have expectations of strategic planning, execution and measurement in areas identified for growth and experimentation. The Senior Communications Strategist will report directly to External Relations’ Associate Vice President for Communications.

Responsibilities

• Writes and edits for digital and print platforms.
• Collaborates with creative professionals on design, presentation, digital and video assets.
• Contributes to editorial planning for content calendars, campaigns and longer-term storytelling and fundraising projects.
• Assists in preparation of fundraising materials such as newsletters, brochures, case statements, appeals letters, stewardship communications, and campaign reports.
• Proactively identifies opportunities for storytelling that can be used to build support and interest in areas of institutional strategic importance.
• Coordinates integrated strategies to amplify strategic content across platforms including owned media, earned media and social media.
• Leads and assists in building and executing earned media strategies and efforts that attract coverage of timely, newsy storylines and people who reflect the positive impact of philanthropy.
• Establishes and cultivates relationships with journalists, influencers and other content producers and distributors.
• Leads and assists in planning, writing, and executing thought leadership and related strategies that support the SVP for External Relations and his portfolio.
• Leads development of recommendations for the robust integration of social media in the External Relations communications toolkit, including strategy for platforms, audiences, objectives and metrics.
• Coordinates with State Government Relations to support strategic communications objectives with elected officials and leaders designed to underscore the University’s positive impact on local communities, state and federal levels.
• Other duties as assigned.

The successful candidate will excel in the following areas:

• Demonstrated ability to find and produce compelling stories that align with strategic objectives, grow audience and influence behavior.
• Ability to write in-depth narratives and concise, to-the-point copy equally well.
• Comfortable managing both longer-term editorial plans and producing content on tight deadlines.
• Proven ability pitching to media and developing relationships with journalists and content-producing organizations that result in earned media success.
• Experience writing opinion pieces, speeches and executive talking points.
• Demonstrated editing skills, including line-editing, search-friendly headline and summary writing.
• Demonstrated ability writing human-focused stories of impact, preferably including content focused on the impact of philanthropy, higher education or related subjects.
• Mature news judgment, reflected in the ability to produce timely, newsy content that resonates with target audiences and recognizes the influence of events beyond our immediate market.
• Ability to work effectively in team environments that collaborate on deadline and across months.
• Familiarity with analytics and metrics that demonstrate the effectiveness of content and inform future editorial decisions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience 5+ years of relevant professional experience required.

Preferred Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in communications, including writing, editing, and media
• Experience in higher education or advancement communications