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Department:
School of International Service
Time Type:
Full time
Job Type:
Regular
FLSA Status:
Non-Exempt
Work Modality:
Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)
Union:
SEIU Local 500 – Provost & Enrollment Division
This position is part of a collective bargaining unit represented by SEIU Local 500 – Provost & Enrollment Division. That means the terms and conditions of your employment are governed by university policy (including the Staff Personnel Policies Manual) and any collective bargaining agreement entered into between American University and SEIU Local 500 – Provost & Enrollment Division.
Job Description:
Summary:
The Communications Coordinator writes and creates multimedia content for the SIS website, newsletter, social media channels, podcast, marketing publications, and other outlets. Duties will include: compiling and sending the SIS newsletter; pitching and writing articles; editing content; interviewing faculty, staff, students, and alumni; working closely with the SIS Office of Research, Leadership in SIS’s Departments, and the SIS Events team to amplify faculty expertise; photography, video, and audio recording and editing; creating compelling social media graphics to support content; posting to social media platforms; managing production of marketing materials; and other duties as assigned. The incumbent also will learn and use AU’s content management system, basic html coding, and digital asset management systems. The Communications Coordinator reports to the SIS Director of Marketing & Communications, and works under the project leadership of the SIS Digital Content Manager for many tasks.
Essential Functions:
1.) Content Creation
- Pitch and produce news stories, features, and profiles of SIS faculty, students, alumni staff, etc., including researching, interviewing, writing, photography, and videography as needed, under the editorial oversight of the Digital Content Manager.
- Produce stories that highlight research and insights by SIS faculty and students in engaging ways online.
- Help maintain SIS website news.
- Produce SIS monthly digital newsletter draft in Emma and Engaging Networks, manage proofing process, and schedule and send the newsletter.
- Assist in recording and editing the school’s monthly podcast, Big World.
- Serve as lead producer/editor on roughly half the episodes.
- Assist in editing and writing SIS marketing publications as needed.
- Create web graphics in Canva and Adobe Creative Cloud software as needed.
2.) Social Media Management
- Post SIS content and notices on social media channels and share content by AU and SIS community, such as the SIS Office of Research, on social media channels, in conjunction with SIS social media strategy and content plan and under the direct oversight of the Digital Content Manager.
- Assist Digital Content Manager in the creation of social media content plan and execute scheduling/posting in accordance with division of duties established by the Digital Content Manager.
- Build out discrete social media campaigns that dovetail with the content plan – curating, creating, and serving interesting and relevant content through SIS social media channels.
- Serve as monitor of SIS pages on social media sites, monitoring site content and flagging inappropriate conversation for the Digital Content Manager and SIS Director of Marketing & Communications. Monitor and respond, as appropriate, to mentions of SIS on social media streams, including Facebook, Twitter/X, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
- Attend SIS events, including commencement ceremonies for the purpose of collecting and posting social media content. Commencement ceremonies take place two times annually and occur on weekend days in December and May. The dates are available in advance, and the Communications Coordinator is expected to ensure they are available on those dates for all necessary hours.
3.) Web Content Maintenance
- Post content and make edits in AU’s Content Management System (CMS) as required, in execution of the SIS digital content plan and editorial strategy.
- Take necessary training in the CMS, CommonSpot, and become proficient building content within the provided CMS elements.
- Assist Website and Digital Communications Manager with page maintenance of discrete pages and accessibility issues.
- Maintain SIS’s news and branding content on the APSIA website with updates at least twice a year.
4.) Project Management
- Manage specific projects, such as the Global Elections Tracker, under the supervision of the Director. These will range from serving as communications staff member on point coordinating team involvement.
- The Communications Coordinator is the office liaison for Facilities as related to building signage and swag items.
5.) Liaison to Central Units
- Assist in the maintenance of publishing practices in conjunction with UCM and OIT.
- Coordinate with other SIS units and UCM to ensure content is distributed through SIS and AU communication channels.
6.) Other Duties as Assigned
- Perform departmental tasks including coordinating meetings and other administrative duties as assigned.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
- Full-Time.
- 35 hours per week.
- The Communications Coordinator is an integral part of a four-person team.
- Three days onsite, two days remote.
- The coordinator has to be on campus to attend SIS events as needed.
- Hybrid arrangement subject to change, based on university needs.
Salary Range:
- $26.47-$29.77 per hour.
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree.
- 1-3 years of relevant experience.
- Experience creating eye-catching social media graphics.
- Experience translating complex language to engaging social media posts.
- Experience building social media engagement.
- Very strong interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
- Demonstrated ability to write for web, print, and social media.
- Ability to communicate effectively with faculty and staff.
- Solid understanding of website and content development.
- Ability to apply communications skills to the web.
- Demonstrated ability to organize time and manage multiple projects successfully.
- Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office suite
Preferred Education and Experience:
- 2-4 years of relevant experience
- Direct experience with HTML, Adobe Creative Cloud, social media scheduling and posting for an organization, content management systems, video production and editing, and SharePoint preferred.
- Experience shooting high-quality photos with DSLR/mirrorless and shooting/editing video, preferably with Adobe Premiere, preferred.
- Experience recording and editing audio for podcasts, preferably with Adobe Audition, preferred.
Benefits
AU offers a competitive benefits package including a 200% matching retirement plan, tuition benefits for full-time staff and their families, several leadership development certificates, and has been recognized by the American Heart Association as a fit-friendly worksite.
Other Details
- Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
- Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
- Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
- American University is an E-Verify employer.
Current American University Employees
American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.
Contact Us
For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email theworkline@american.edu .
American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively “Protected Bases”) in its programs and activities.