IIC Senior Communications Specialist

IIC Senior Communications Specialist

The Institute for Integrative Conservation (IIC) at William & Mary is at the forefront of transformational research and education that advances conservation efforts, solves real-world conservation challenges, and protects the environment for generations to come. By combining forces with public, private and nonprofit sectors, and leveraging William & Mary's interdisciplinary expertise, entrepreneurial culture, and global perspective, the IIC cultivates and mobilizes an inclusive community of leaders to develop integrative solutions to global conservation challenges and to prepare the next generation of diverse, effective, and bold conservation leaders.

The IIC is seeking applicants for a Senior Communications Specialist to lead and execute the full communications pipeline for conservation storytelling, from strategy and story development through production and distribution. The incumbent in this position will be integral to the strategic growth and sustainability of the IIC. The selected candidate will be an active team member focusing on further developing and implementing the IIC communication strategy, which includes targeted, action-oriented communication to our IIC constituents, improving and managing IIC communication processes, leading collaborative storytelling with the IIC team, and supporting communications for IIC advancement initiatives internally and externally.

This ideal candidate is someone who can comfortably lead the IIC storytelling strategy and thrives in a dynamic, start-up-like environment and is motivated to shape and scale a growing program. This individual in this position identifies compelling stories, translates complex work into accessible narratives and ensures that content is strategically distributed across digital channels, earned media, and paid amplification. The role works collaboratively with colleagues across the IIC (including the IIC Board and IIC Advisory Council), University Marketing and Communications to position William & Mary as a leading voice on the issues shaping our world.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or a related field.
• Significant professional experience in communications, public relations, journalism, or strategic storytelling (typically 5+ years).
• Exceptional writing and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate complex topics into compelling content for diverse audiences.
• Exceptional editing skills, with strong attention to detail, consistency, and quality control.
• Demonstrated experience producing and promoting content across channels (e.g., web, social media, multimedia) aligned with organizational priorities.
• Experience developing and executing earned media strategies and working with journalists.
• Strong understanding of digital communications, including website management, content distribution, and analytics.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and collaborate effectively across teams and constituents.
• Demonstrated experience using core digital communications and outreach platforms (e.g., Google Analytics 4, WordPress, Mailchimp, Hootsuite) to manage content, execute campaigns, and analyze performance.
• Commitment to the mission of the Institute for Integrative Conservation.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Graduate degree or equivalent advanced professional experience in a relevant field.
• Experience in conservation, higher education, research communications, or mission-driven organizations.
• Experience supporting thought leadership, reputation-building, or national visibility campaigns.
• Familiarity with multimedia storytelling, content marketing, and integrated communications strategies.
• Experience in developing multiple different types of communications products, including press releases, briefs, long and short form articles, fundraising copy, and social media copy.
• Experience supervising staff and/or mentoring students.
• Experience providing strategic leadership in communications.

Conditions of Employment:

• This position may require working hours outside of normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Job Duties:

60% - Communications:

• Lead communications strategy and content planning to elevate IIC research, academic programs, and institutional impact.
• Translate complex conservation work into clear, compelling narratives for external audiences, including both writing stories and supporting IIC team members with producing stories.
• Identify and develop high-impact stories that grows visibility and strengthen IIC's reputation as a conservation thought leader.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, and students, including the IIC Director of Advancement; actively engage in IIC events and communities to ensure advancement and broader communications needs are met.
• Produce and edit content across formats (web, profiles, newsletters, social and multimedia), ensuring alignment with institutional voice and brand.
• Tell the story of the IIC through owned, earned, and partner channels.

Media Relations & External Visibility:

• Develop and execute proactive media strategies to position IIC faculty and leadership as experts and leaders in conservation education.
• Pitch stories, place commentary, and build relationships with relevant media and partner outlets.
• Promote IIC and partner events to key audiences.

Digital Platforms & Content Distribution:

• Manage and optimize IIC digital presence, including website, social media, and email communications.
• Oversee listservs and lead distribution of key communications (including external newsletters).
• Coordinate with university communications and advancement teams to ensure alignment and amplification.

Campaigns, Analytics & Asset Management:

• Support integrated campaigns and paid amplification to extend reach of priority stories and initiatives.
• Use analytics to assess performance and refine communications strategy.
• Manage digital assets (photo, video, graphics) and branded materials inventory.

30% - Student Mentoring, Instruction, and Supervision:

• Direct and manage students working on relevant communications materials for the IIC. Some of these students might be working on projects in the IIC's Conservation Research Program.
• Hire and supervise an IIC storytelling intern – 10h per week student employee. This student will support communications activities and will focus on day-to-day communications including web management and asset collection and organization.
• Contribute to communications professional training for students in the year-long Conservation Research Program, coordinating with the Research Director and program managers to integrate storytelling into the overall program structure.
• Prepare IIC research students to capture assets from their research and work with them to tell their conservation research story.

10% - Strategic Leadership:

• Develop and implement communications strategies aligned with university priorities and institutional messaging.
• Establish and maintain clear communications and events strategies for the IIC and lead on execution of those plans, which will align with the broader strategic plans and initiatives of the IIC and W&M. Assess achievements toward the strategic plans and iterate the plans in collaboration with IIC leadership.
• Expand opportunities to connect the IIC story to a broader community of supporters.
• Represent the IIC as the lead on communications when coordinating with other parts of the university.

Posting Range: $75,000-$85,000 commensurate with experience

Applications must be submitted by 6/26/2026 for consideration

We will not sponsor applicants for work visas for this position