Communications Manager

Communications Manager

The Communications Manager will develop and produce clear, engaging and brand-aligned content on behalf of Undergraduate Studies and assigned divisions of Academic Affairs across multiple platforms. The Communications manager will also oversee social media strategy and project management, in coordination with other university communications initiatives. This position will report to the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies under limited supervision.

Required Education and Experience - Requires a bachelor's degree in a job related field and 3 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in related field and 4 years of experience in designing and distributing promotional materials, developing social media platforms and creation of presentation materials. Ability to communicate Google Analytics results and social media metrics. Prior experience in a higher education setting is preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities - Must possess proficient knowledge of mass communication and design principles, printing industry terminology and have excellent communication skills. Graphic design skills are critical in this position. Must be able to multitask and prioritize projects. Knowledge of University policies and procedures related to the position. Must be able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others in the University community. Proficient with all the Microsoft applications, such as Excel, Word and PowerPoint, Adobe and Apple applications. Experience working with developing templates through design tools such as InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, Tableau, and Canva to streamline content creation. Understanding of marketing trends in higher education and outside of higher education.

Job Duties

Job Duty - Content Strategy and Creation Develops and produces clear, engaging, and brand-aligned cross-channel content on behalf of UG Studies and assigned divisions for Academic Affairs. Writes, edits, and shapes long- and short-form stories highlighting the University of South Carolina's academic excellence. Content includes website features, newsletters, press releases, social media posts, calendar items, and multimedia storytelling in alignment with institutional priorities.

Job Duty - Social Media Strategy and Management Oversees UG Studies and other assigned divisions for Academic Affairs social media accounts, including strategy development, content planning, and day-to-day management to maximize engagement with faculty, students, and peer institutions. Prioritizes showcasing academic excellence and institutional achievements. Advises reporting units within the Office of the Provost on social media best practices and engagement strategies as appropriate.

Job Duty - Project Management Provides project oversight and coordination for communications initiatives conducted in collaboration with campus communications and marketing partners. Serves as the primary liaison between assigned units' leadership, staff, affiliated academic units, and service providers. Manages timelines, deliverables, and workflows for projects including strategic marketing, event promotion, web design and development, public relations, creative and design services, printing, and vendor management.

Job Duty - Strategic Communications and Presentations Researches, drafts, and prepares communications and public statements, including email communications, talking points, videos, and correspondence for internal and external audiences. In consultation with the Office of the Provost and Communications and Marketing leadership, ensure messaging reflects institutional priorities and strategic goals. Provides strategic communications guidance to the assigned offices, reporting units, and in collaboration with University Communications and the Brand Collaborative, offers counsel to academic unit leaders to ensure consistency with university messaging, branding, and best practices.