Strategic Communications Lead, Faculty & Research

Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine; Richmond (VA); Hybrid; USD 88,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

VCU School of Medicine in Richmond, VA seeks an experienced strategic communicator to lead communications for the Office of Faculty Affairs and Office of Research. You will partner with faculty leadership to develop and execute messaging, inform key audiences, and elevate faculty and research achievements.

This role collaborates with the SOM communications team and Enterprise Marketing to align content with institutional priorities, manage deadlines, and craft clear strategies across channels

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of faculty culture and academic or scientific research environments.
• 5+ years of communications experience, preferably within higher education, an academic medical center or a research organization.
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, English, journalism, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education, professional training and experience.
• Exceptional communications and writing skills, with the ability to write clearly and concisely for a variety of audiences and channels.
• Proven ability to handle confidential or sensitive topics, anticipating and mitigating potential risk.
• Outstanding attention to detail and commitment to thoroughness.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex academic and scientific material into clear and actionable messaging.
• Strong interpersonal skills and effective verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, with experience managing multiple collaborative projects while adhering to deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Responsibilities

• Partner with faculty and research leadership to advise on messaging, timing and channel selection for internal initiatives.
• Create clear, concise and timely messaging to T&R and clinical faculty, research staff and students, tailoring delivery strategies across communications channels and audiences to ensure effectiveness.
• Manage multiple communications priorities and projects simultaneously (including the school’s T&R faculty compensation plan), balancing short-term requests with longer-term communications goals.
• Translate complex academic material (e.g., related to faculty, research, school/university policies and procedures) into clear and effective content for its respective audiences.
• Identify and promote faculty/research achievements and honors for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Build relationships with the school’s faculty and research staff to better understand their work and communication priorities.
• Collaborate with the school’s communication team to produce compelling, effective deliverables and creative assets related to faculty and research communications.
• Stay informed on local and national trends impacting faculty and academic/scientific research (emerging policy changes, community priorities and concerns, etc.) to guide communications strategy.
• Develop and execute detailed tactical communications plans for faculty and research initiatives as identified with school leadership.
• Create and maintain a communications calendar for faculty and research related topics, initiatives, events, key deadlines and recurring milestones.
• Evaluate audience engagement across internal channels to continuously improve message delivery.
• Communications and marketing professionals will collaborate closely with VCU Enterprise Marketing and Communications to align content, storytelling and brand positioning with institutional priorities and standards.

Job description

VCU School of Medicine in Richmond, VA seeks an experienced strategic communicator to lead communications for the Office of Faculty Affairs and Office of Research. You will partner with faculty leadership to develop and execute messaging, inform key audiences, and elevate faculty and research achievements.

This role collaborates with the SOM communications team and Enterprise Marketing to align content with institutional priorities, manage deadlines, and craft clear strategies across channels