Position Summary
The Communications Team at Vanderbilt University College of Arts and Science (A&S) is seeking a skilled Communications Content Specialist to create engaging and informative written content to help promote and elevate the visibility of the college to both internal and external audiences. Reporting to the A&S Chief Communications Officer, this individual serves primarily as a writer and requires a strong background in written communications, a passion for storytelling, and a strategic eye for identifying and creating compelling content. The individual will plan, coordinate, and produce a wide range of written content across A&S’s many areas of focus, spanning the arts, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The position is responsible for writing news articles, feature profiles, research highlights, announcements, web content, social media posts, and other content, to be distributed on the A&S website, newsletter, social media platforms, and other channels.
The Communications Content Specialist will work with various stakeholders across the college and the university, including faculty, students, alumni, and staff. The individual will look for new and engaging ways to convey the stories of the A&S community and communicate the impact that A&S is having on the world. The individual will manage projects from start to finish, including identifying and sourcing stories, conducting background research as needed, scheduling and conducting interviews, writing and editing content, securing approvals, and disseminating content.
The individual will be a key member of the A&S Communications Team in the Dean’s Office. This role is hybrid, with some days working in the office and some days working remotely.
Key Functions And Expected Performance
Content Creation and Distribution
- Write a high volume of content in the form of news stories, feature profiles, social media posts, and other formats, including interviewing, writing, and editing for different platforms (web, social, email marketing, etc.).
- Work with various stakeholders (including faculty, staff, students, alumni, Vanderbilt central Communications and Marketing team, Vanderbilt Development and Alumni Relations, Vanderbilt Admissions, and others) to identify, source, and write A&S stories that promote the college’s mission and demonstrate the college’s impact.
- Ensure that content aligns with both A&S’s and the university’s branding and messaging strategy and effectively promotes and elevates the visibility of the college.
- Identify and resize imagery for written content.
- Post content to the website.
Digital Marketing
- Create and disseminate a monthly e-newsletter, including identifying and writing content, doing design and layout, and distributing through an email marketing platform.
- Regularly monitor e-newsletter analytics, develop reports on performance, present outcomes, and make recommendations on how to improve efforts.
- Write and disseminate marketing and informational emails to inform the community of important updates and to promote offerings.
Content Strategy
- Identify and source stories that align with the college’s mission and brand.
- Partner with team members to identify opportunities for multi-media content, such as videos or visuals that accompany written pieces.
Other
- Provide backup support to other team members as needed.
- Assist with website content updates.
- Other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Relationships
This position does not have supervisory responsibility. The individual reports directly to the Chief Communications Officer in the College of Arts and Science.
Education And Certifications
A bachelor’s degree and at least 2-4 years of experience in marketing, communications, public relations, reporting, or related field.
Experience And Skills
- Outstanding written communication skills. Experience creating engaging content for a range of audiences for use across a variety of platforms. Proven ability to tell a compelling story that engages audiences. Excellent grammar, punctuation, spelling, and attention to detail.
- Prior experience as a content writer, with a portfolio showcasing a diverse range of writing samples.
- Proven ability to distill complex scientific research into digestible, understandable content.
- Outstanding verbal communication skills. Ability to ask insightful questions to ensure content is accurate and engaging.
- Deep curiosity and a thirst to learn about a wide range of topics, from anthropology to Asian studies, to astronomy, to many others.
- Preferred experience with:
- Web content management systems and basic HTML.
- Email marketing platforms (e.g., Emma, MailChimp, Constant Contact, etc.).
- Strong project management, organizational, and time management skills. Ability to successfully manage different projects and juggle multiple assignments, stakeholders, and deadlines simultaneously. Preferred experience with project management tools, such as AirTable.
- Ability to adjust flexibly to changes in priorities and deadlines.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact successfully with a diverse group of stakeholders with different needs and priorities.
- Willingness to jump in wherever needed with a solutions-oriented mindset.
About the College of Arts & Science at Vanderbilt University:
The College of Arts and Science sits at the heart of Vanderbilt University. Offering over 100 majors and minors, A&S is the largest, oldest, and most academically diverse school at the university. We are a collaborative and inter-disciplinary college that spans the humanities, sciences, and social sciences. We hold a deep commitment to research, teaching, and service, with the goal of tackling the most pressing problems facing society. We aim to educate the whole student, helping them find their passion and preparing them for life-long learning.
