The Wilton E. Scott Institute for Energy Innovation at Carnegie Mellon University addresses the world’s most pressing energy challenges by enabling collaborative research, strategic partnerships, policy outreach, entrepreneurship, and education. We support impactful work that strives to optimize resources and reduce environmental consequences associated with energy production and use. We understand that energy and social equity issues are deeply interconnected, and society can benefit with improved energy access. We seek to encourage the development of breakthrough technologies that will accelerate the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon energy future.

With more than 170 Affiliated Faculty and 14 Energy Fellows, the Scott Institute identifies critical areas of the energy system where CMU has strength and deep expertise, and invests, innovates, and incentivizes those efforts and technologies. The Scott Institute serves as a connection hub – locally, regionally, and nationally – for the coordination of energy- and cleantech-related innovation and investment.

We are searching for a Digital Communications Manager to focus on branding, design and web. This is exciting opportunity for someone who thrives in an interesting and challenging work environment. You will contribute to the department by providing essential support by leading and promoting the Scott Institute and its defined strategic objectives through engaging web design and graphics for various target audiences.

We are looking for someone who is able to effectively interact with a dynamic population of internal and external partners with a high level of integrity and who will support the mission of The Scott Institute as well as the broader mission of the university through their work in a fast-paced, energetic environment. This person will play an important supporting role to:

• Purposefully nurture current and prospective relationships to deliver world-class digital communications at CMU while leveraging the network of talented CMU faculty, staff and students with key regional, national and global collaborators. 

   

• Facilitate communications with internal and external constituents, including CMU faculty, students, alumni and industry/government research funders in energy, who are seeking to work in partnership with CMU, to gain a better understanding and to connect with the university in the areas of energy and cleantech.

   

Core responsibilities include: 

• Brand Manager – Oversee and evolve the Scott Institute brand. Create brand guidelines for the Scott Institute in line with CMU’s identity, and expand to multiple sub events and key initiatives.

   

• Web site – Create a plan for growing audience engagement with visually stunning graphics and design. Maintain and enhance several web sites using the CMU’s Content Management System. Create new graphics, and reformat, review, and update existing informational content. Serve as webmaster, monitoring requests from and working with stakeholders to gather accurate information, update images, and calendar for events. Understand and map the existing site. Review web architecture for improvements in user experience. Use web-based production and image manipulation software to produce content. Report SEO and web traffic metrics.

   

• Social Media – Create graphics for posting, and help create the strategy for outreach via social. Help to identify potential external outlets where content should be posted. Create content including graphics and short videos (where appropriate – lectures, reels, stories, etc.) for social media assets. Propose methods for engaging content (e.g. original text, photos, videos and news) featured in daily posts, monthly newsletters and more. Further develop the organization’s social media to attract followers by writing and publishing original content with a mind towards target audience. Develop and implement a strategy for growing our audience and inspiring action.

   

• IMPACT Annual Report, Tech Guides and other collateral materials – Oversee the creation of the annual report and other marketing materials, both completed internally and often supported by an external designer, including design, image sourcing, and preparing the design for print. Plan the production processes and timeline, establish production schedules, and prioritize work in order to produce a high-quality product.

   

• CMU Energy Week – Lead promotional efforts. Create branded campaigns, graphics and advertising support materials to drive attendance. Help with PowerPoint look and feel development, et al. Create materials for sponsorship support.

   

• Monthly Newsletter – Assist with branding, look and feel, and graphics for e-newsletter. In partnership with Executive Director, help distribute a monthly newsletter to 10,000+ stakeholders 12-14x per year, including alumni, industry leaders, and government officials, tracking with analytics. Writing, design work, consolidation of content.

   

• Events and post-production - Create graphics for speakers and webinars, help to draft customized invites. Provide support to technical staff on audio visual needs, attend events for reporting, video, and photography, and other similar activities. Event videography and photography support. Post-production on videos.

   

• Help to grow the Scott Institute’s partnerships and community - Foster excellent working relationships with faculty, academic liaisons, alumni, and volunteers, as well as university and college staff and advancement teams.

   

• Assist with preparing materials for reports.

   

• Other duties as assigned

   

You should demonstrate:

• Belief in mission, goals and objectives of energy, research, cleantech, sustainability, and higher education.

   

• Stellar writing abilities.

   

• Problem solving and reasoning skills, analytical skills, and strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills.

   

• A proactive, positive attitude, flexibility, and the ability to work independently.

   

• Highly adaptable and able to pivot project work when organizational priorities change.

   

• Demonstrated ability to effectively prioritize workflow. Able to execute a project from start to finish independently if needed.

   

• Extremely detail-oriented and organized.

   

• Strong critical thinking skills, with the ability to analyze data, recognize trends and drive strategic recommendations.

   

Inclusion, collaboration and cultural sensitivity are valued proficiencies at CMU. Therefore, we are in search of a team member who is able to effectively interact with a varied population of internal and external partners at a high level of integrity. We are looking for someone who shares our values and who will support the mission of the university through their work.

Technical Competencies:

• Design mastery.

   

• Exceptional writing skills for both professional and social media audiences.

   

• Demonstrated fluency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and Google Suite, with database management and CRM platforms.

   

• Demonstrated fluency with WordPress or similar website content management systems, Canva, Adobe Creative Solutions, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, Data Studio, WooCommerce; experience with scheduling and evite platforms like Eventbrite a plus.

   

• Prior experience posting and promoting original and engaging content on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

   

• Prior experience with designing in Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator and/or InDesign or similar photo editing and design programs preferred.

   

• Photography and video editing preferred.

   

• Knowledge of brand campaigns and social media channels.

   

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree required

   

• At least 4 years of work experience in communications, social media, graphic design, marketing or similar, and/or an undergraduate degree in an aligned field of study, with demonstrated success in increasing engagement for all assets managed.

   

Ability to travel outside the Pittsburgh region and a willingness to work outside normal business hours on occasion. May require early morning, evening and weekend work for special events, with advanced notice.

Requirements:

• Successful background check