Communications Specialist

Communications Specialist

Position Overview: The Content and Communications Specialist is responsible for helping to develop and distribute engaging, strategic communications that advance the institution's mission, reputation, and priorities. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Strategic Communications and Media Relations, this position creates content for external and internal audiences; supports media relations efforts through story development and pitching; manages internal communications channels; and contributes to the institution's overall communications and marketing objectives.

The specialist helps identify compelling stories across campus and translates them into meaningful content for a variety of platforms, including media outreach, the website, newsletters, marketing materials, and social media. The position also manages the institutional mass mailing calendar, provides guidance to campus communicators on email communications tools, and measures the effectiveness of communications initiatives through data analysis and reporting.

This is a professional individual contributor position with no direct supervisory responsibilities.

Position Responsibilities

Strategic Communications and Content Development

• Contribute to development and implementation of communications plans for institutional initiatives, campaigns, and organizational priorities.
• Identify communications goals, target audiences, key messages, and content strategies.
• Collaborate with clients to support enrollment, advancement, fundraising, and reputation-building objectives.
• Provide communications recommendations and messaging guidance.
• Research, write, edit, produce, and distribute compelling written and multimedia content stories that highlight institutional priorities, student success, faculty accomplishments, academic programs, and campus initiatives.
• Develop content for multiple platforms, including websites, newsletters, marketing materials, social media, and other print and digital publications.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and campus partners to identify and develop story opportunities.
• Help ensure content aligns with institutional messaging, brand standards, and strategic communication goals.
• Create audience-focused content that supports recruitment, engagement, reputation-building, and community awareness efforts.
• Develop messaging that translates complex information into clear, compelling, and engaging communications for both internal and external audiences.
• Take lead responsibility for finding compelling stories within an assigned beat on campus.

Media Relations Support

• Manage our media relations and social listening database, Agility.
• Assist in developing and implementing media relations strategies that promote institutional priorities and accomplishments.
• Identify, develop, and pitch story ideas to local, regional, and national media outlets.
• Promote faculty and staff expertise through targeted media outreach and expert-source pitching.
• Monitor media coverage and evaluate the effectiveness of media relations activities.
• Prepare reports and analyses that measure placement success, audience reach, and other communications outcomes.
• Support media inquiries and other public relations initiatives as assigned.
• Support initiatives that increase visibility and awareness of the College.

Internal Communications

• Create, coordinate, and distribute internal communications that inform and engage campus audiences.
• Manage the development and production of multiple campus e-newsletters and recurring communications, using email marketing software.
• Collaborate with campus partners to gather content and ensure timely delivery of communications.
• Analyze newsletter and email performance metrics and recommend improvements based on engagement data.
• Support strategic internal communication initiatives that strengthen institutional awareness and employee engagement.

Digital and Social Media Communications

• Working with the web team, create and update web content that is accurate, engaging, accessible, and aligned with institutional priorities.
• Use the institution's content management system to publish and update digital content.
• Working with the social media specialist, develop content for institutional social media channels that supports strategic communications objectives.
• Track and evaluate digital content performance and recommend opportunities for increased engagement.

Email Communications Management

• Manage and maintain the institution's mass mailing calendar to ensure effective coordination of campus-wide email communications.
• Provide training and guidance to faculty and staff on email communication tools, processes, and best practices.
• Support institutional standards related to email communications and audience engagement.
• Assist campus departments in optimizing email communications through effective content and distribution strategies.
• May perform other related duties as assigned.

Schedule & Benefits: Bryn Mawr is committed to building and sustaining a campus community where faculty and staff can thrive. The College offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits. This full-time staff position has an anticipated schedule of 35 hours per week and is eligible for 22 days of vacation per year, three days personal leave, generous holiday time (including an extended winter break between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day), sick leave, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, medical, dental, and vision, retirement, paid parental leave, tuition opportunities, and more. Waiting periods may apply. This position is eligible for a hybrid 1-2 day per week remote/3-4 days on-campus work schedule, which is subject to college policy.

While no one person may possess all the qualifications listed below, the ideal candidate will have many of the following professional experiences and characteristics.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, English, or a related field.
• Two (2) years of professional experience in communications, public relations, marketing, content strategy, or a related field.
• Experience creating and managing internal email campaigns.
• Demonstrated experience writing and editing for multiple audiences and platforms.
• Experience creating digital content, including website, social media, and video content.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience using communications analytics to assess effectiveness and guide decision-making.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and across organizational levels.
• Successful completion of satisfactory background checks required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, nonprofit, healthcare, or other mission-driven organizations.
• Experience in media relations, including story pitching.
• Experience with Mailchimp or similar email marketing platforms.
• Experience with Drupal or similar content management systems.
• Familiarity with analytics tools.
• Experience interpreting and presenting communications performance metrics.
• Familiarity with AP style.

To apply, upload your complete application package as a single PDF document. A complete application package includes: 1) cover letter and 2) resume. Application review will continue until the position is filled. To initiate your application, use the APPLY button.

Weekly Hours: 35