Communications Specialist (Jewish Higher Education)

Our client, a leading Jewish higher education organization, is looking for a Communications Specialist.

This is a full time role that requires going into the Manhattan office 3 days a week. A computer will be provided.

Communications Specialist Responsibilities:

- Lead institution content strategy, including content planning and execution, leveraging public relations and storytelling skills

- Work closely with recruitment, development, alumni relations, and academic leadership teams to lead in the creation and implementation of effective content strategies that attract and engage prospective students and supporters

- Promote student, faculty, and alumni achievements to help drive recruitment and retention, community and engagement in addition to awareness and reputation

- Provide editorial supervision to ensure the excellence, originality, and diversity of stories and participants for production, and the accessibility and relevance of content to diverse audiences.

- Align strategic communications ensure a consistent, branded college identity.

- Identify and develop written communications in support of media relations activities, including fact sheets, talking points, press releases and similar materials (alongside external PR agency)

- Serve as a contact for media outlets

- Partner with colleagues across all campuses to communicate public events, recruitment and fundraising campaigns and events, special offerings from the Libraries and Museums, student and faculty activities.

- Assign writers, photographers, videographers as needed to cover/report on campus events through internal communication channels

- Review and edit all print and digital communications

- Collaborate with Digital Marketing Manager on email and e-newsletter production, including the management and scheduling of all communications requests, writing and editing copy to ensure messaging and branding guidelines; assembling appropriate photo and video content; and engaging designers as needed

Communications Specialist Requirements:

- Bachelor’s degree in related field

- 8+ years in communications or Public Relations role

- Experience in higher education and /or Jewish nonprofit

- Exceptional writing and editing skills

- Branding knowledge

- Understanding of top and emerging social media platforms

- Awareness of newly emerging media platforms

- Advanced knowledge of American Jewish history and community

- Broad understanding of issues and policies in higher education and within a college system

- Able to maintain high level of confidentiality

- Superior attention to detail

Technology Knowledge Required:

- Microsoft Office 365 – Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook

- WordPress, Drupal, or similar

- Mailchimp or similar

- Canva or similar

- Monday.com or similar

- Social media platforms