Communications and College Relations Specialist - Macaulay Honors College

The City University of New York (CUNY) is the nation's leading urban public university serving more than 480,000 students in a wide range of educational programs at 24 colleges and institutions in New York City.
Job ID: 5104

Regular/Temporary: Regular

GENERAL DUTIES: Assists in establishing and maintaining relationships with external entities and communities, representing the College's positions and interests

- Serves as a liaison to one or more external organizations, representing the College and building working relationships with the leadership of these organizations

- Plans and implements communications campaigns, working with publications staff

- Develops an understanding of the concerns of external organizations and communicates these to appropriate College management

- Plans public activities and contributes to marketing of College activities and programs to external groups

- With College publications and editorial personnel, plans, writes, and produces publicity materials and other external communications

- May maintain relationships with media representatives

- Performs related duties as assigned.

Job Title Name: Communications and College Relations Specialist

CONTRACT TITLE: Higher Education Assistant

FLSA: Non-exempt

CAMPUS SPECIFIC INFORMATION: Inaugurated in the Fall of 2001, Macaulay Honors College is dedicated to providing outstanding educational opportunities for academically gifted students from the five boroughs of New York City and beyond.  The Macaulay Honors College program includes generous financial support for each student, including a full-tuition merit scholarship and a $7,500 Opportunities Fund grant.  In addition, the Honors College offers unique interdisciplinary seminars focusing on New York City, training in instructional technology, dedicated mentors and advisors, internships, study abroad experiences, and a Cultural Passport that provides entre to the vast cultural resources of New York City.  Macaulay operates in partnership with seven CUNY campuses: Baruch, Brooklyn, City, Hunter, Lehman, Queens, and Staten Island; graduates are awarded a degree jointly conferred by Macaulay and their home campus. Currently, Macaulay Honors College has approximately 1,600 University Scholars enrolled on all seven campuses.

The Communications and College Relations Specialist will report to the Communications Marketing Director, assisting in the development and implementation of communications efforts supporting various programs within Macaulay Honors College, including development/fundraising outreach, alumni affairs, publications and editorial, news, and environmental branding (e.g., electronic signage). The Specialist will also assist the Director of Enrollment Management in efforts that include enrollment management communications, social media content management, and event support. The team is a small but growing in-house communications bureau that utilizes both internal and external resources to manage a large volume and variety of communications projects.

- Working with the Director of Enrollment Management, develop and implement communications programs targeting prospective students and their families, as well as high school guidance counselors.
- Copywrite and edit correspondence and/or marketing materials.
- Maintain content streams in social media outlets.
- Produce and update publications including brochures, programs, and email templates, working independently or with the help of the Graphic Designer and printing vendors.
- Update and maintain web content with the help of the Web Associate.
- Assist at Enrollment Management events, including producing presentation slides.
- Perform other communications-related tasks as determined by Enrollment Management.
- Assist the Director in managing various communications projects that serve other "clients" in the College (Events, Development, Dean's Office, Student Affairs).
- Maintain responsibility for regularly scheduled projects (maintenance of news stories, student and alumni profiles, and signage assets) and be accountable for their success and continuous quality improvement.
- Assist in establishing and maintaining relationships with other CUNY entities and with external vendors (printers, designers, PR firm, writers).
- Perform other related duties as assigned such as creating program booklets and event promotion materials, writing news articles, content gathering, and proofreading depending on the seasonal needs and internal capacity of the Communications Department.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor's Degree and four years' related experience required.

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS: - Four years of communications experience, preferably in higher education. Appropriate combination of education above the baccalaureate degree and demonstrable skills and/or years of experience may substituted for the 4 years of experience.
- Exceptional organization, project management and multitasking skills. The ability to identify available resources, secure new ones, set priorities and move a project along, on time and within budget is critical. Detail orientation is essential.
- Strong writing and proofreading/copyediting skills in English. The ideal candidate will be able to write both descriptive copy and more creative marketing/persuasive copy.  Journalistic reporting and writing skills preferred.
- Demonstrated creativity, a basic sense of good design, and the ability to recognize the basic elements of an established design and identity program.  Familiarity with the Adobe Design suite would be helpful.
- Excellent interpersonal skills to interface with a wide variety of internal and external constituencies.
- Full proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) along with the ability to use these programs to create effective and professional-looking publications in Word and PowerPoint. Ability to work in both PC and Windows platforms preferred.  HTML and blogging software experience helpful.  Knowledge of Hobson's CRM system a plus.
- Knowledge of best practices in social media such as Facebook and Twitter; knowledge of social media coordination tools such as Hootsuite; and familiarity with college recruitment social media tools such as College Confidential.
- Experience in admissions/enrollment management and/or admissions communications preferred.

COMPENSATION: $53,032 - $64,956

BENEFITS: CUNY offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees and eligible dependents based on job title and classification. Employees are also offered pension and Tax-Deferred Savings Plans.  Part-time employees must meet a weekly or semester work hour criteria to be eligible for health benefits. Health benefits are also extended to retirees who meet the eligibility criteria.

HOW TO APPLY: Please apply using the "Apply Now" link below.  Make sure to upload a cover letter and resume (as one document) with the contact information of 3 professional references by the closing date.

CLOSING DATE: Open until filled with review of applications to begin 2/17/12.

JOB SEARCH CATEGORY: CUNY Job Posting: Managerial/Professional

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: We are committed to enhancing our diverse academic community by actively encouraging people with disabilities, minorities, veterans, and women to apply.  We take pride in our pluralistic community and continue to seek excellence through diversity and inclusion. EO/AA Employer.