Job Title: Strategic Communication Specialist, 31549
Location: UMKC Volker Campus
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
Job ID: 35555
Hiring Department

Division of Strategic Marketing and Communications

Job Description

UMKC's Division of Strategic Marketing and Communications is looking for a dynamic, creative, collaborative public relations specialist with broad experience in digital content strategy and creation to join our strategic communications team. This person’s duties will include writing content to tell UMKC’s story through a variety of earned and owned media for internal and external audiences; planning and creating content for the university’s website, digital newsletters and social media channels. Strong organizational skills and experience in meeting deadlines are musts. The position reports to the Director of Strategic Communications.

The job also requires someone who can:

• Demonstrate ability to develop content ideas in multiple formats and quickly execute high-quality content in those areas.
• Juggle a variety of projects, demonstrating ability to move quickly on short-term needs while making progress on longer-term goals.
• Demonstrate superb news judgment and writing skills.
• Increase public visibility by developing and facilitating relationships with key campus and public constituents, including but not limited to academic units, campus leadership and local, regional, state and national media.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 2 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism or Communications is preferred
• Three to five years experience in journalism and/or public relations and digital communications.
• Strong news judgment.
• Sound knowledge of editorial and journalistic principles and respect for deadlines.
• Knowledge of digital content strategy.
• Excellent storytelling skills.
• Experience in producing digital newsletter communications on platforms such as Emma, MailChimp or Constant Contact.
• Technical knowledge of all major existing social media platforms.
• Familiarity with using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn in a professional setting.
• Superior interpersonal, written and oral communications skills.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with administration, faculty, staff, students, alumni, benefactors, media and other key constituents.
• Ability to exercise reasonable judgment, often under intense deadline pressure.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Proven track record of producing high-quality digital media content.
• Creative problem-solving ability.
• Ability to proactively identify communications opportunities and develop supporting content.

Full Time/Part Time

This is a full time, benefit eligible position.

Salary

Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Application Deadline

Position will remain open until filled. Review of applications will begin on February 15th, 2021.

Application Instructions

Applicants must combine all application materials (cover letter, resume, and list of three references with contact information) into one PDF or Microsoft Word document and upload as a resume attachment.

Limit document name to 50 characters. Maximum size limit is 11MB. Do not include special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.).

If you are experiencing technical problems, please call (800) 488-5288.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy shall not be interpreted in such a manner as to violate the legal rights of religious organizations or the recruiting rights of military organizations associated with the Armed Forces or the Department of Homeland Security of the United States of America. For more information, call the Vice Chancellor - Human Resources at 816-235-1621.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties and functions of this job. If you believe you may have difficulty performing any of the duties or functions of this job, please contact the Office of Affirmative Action at (816) 235-1323.

EEO IS THE LAW

To read more about Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) please use the following links:

• EEO is the Law English Version
• EEO is the Law Spanish Version
• EEO is the Law Chinese Version

UMKC Statement on Diversity

UMKC values diversity as central to its mission as an urban-serving research university and as a driver of excellence in teaching and learning. UMKC embraces a broad spectrum of diversities, including race, ethnicity, culture, nationality, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, linguistic ability, learning style, religion, socioeconomic and veteran status, life experiences, educational level and family structure. For more information on our diversity mission, visit the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website: http://info.umkc.edu/diversity/

UMKC is the largest comprehensive, fully accredited university in the Kansas City area. Our students come from all 50 states and over 85 countries, enriching our community with diverse perspectives. With more than 125 academic areas, our students have a lot of opportunities to explore on their way to discovering and creating their perfect career. We are at the heart of a thriving urban area where the city’s life and energy influence everything that happens here. We are Kansas City’s university and we can’t wait for you to join us! Find out more about UMKC in the About UMKC section of our website.

Details about UMKC’s community and the benefits of being an employee can be found on our careers page.