Marketing Communications Specialist

The mission of the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences is the development of professional health care practitioners through innovation, individualized, and quality classroom, clinical, and distance education.

GENERAL SUMMARY

As an integral member of the Marketing/Communications team and responsible for supporting social media, designated website content and communications, the Marketing Communications Specialist will help plan, develop and execute internal and external marketing and communications efforts for the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.

The Marketing Communications Specialist, using the university's strategic plan as a guide, proactively helps develop and implement the marketing strategy for the college to meet institutional goals, administer the college brand and work to enhance the student experience from initial inquiry through graduation and beyond. Responsibilities include building and enhancing USAHS' reputation and engagement with alumni, prospective and current students, and prospective and current faculty/staff.

Working under the direction of the Sr. Director, Brand and Content, the Marketing Communications Specialist will serve in a community management and content development role on USAHS' social media platforms. Specifically, this person will vigilantly monitor interactions with the University's audience to address comments, respond to inquiries and promptly relay relevant updates to leadership regarding the social media community. The Marketing Communications Specialist will also help develop original content and suggest creative ways to attract prospective students to the University and promote USAHS' brand on social media.

Reporting to the Director, University Communications, this role supports internal University communications and will assist with the development and execution of comprehensive internal communications tactics that advocate institutional priorities and objectives. This individual will work with cross-functional partners to implement strategies and tactics to reach and inform various internal audiences (including faculty, staff, students and alumni). The Marketing Communications Specialist will support the mission of the University by writing and managing content for the USAHS websites, e-newsletters, and other communication channels; assist with promoting the image of the institution to internal constituencies through internal communications; and other responsibilities as assigned.

• Addresses comments and directs messages across all USAHS social media platforms, responding to inquiries and providing customer support. This encompasses platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok, where USAHS maintains an active presence.
• Monitors social media interactions within USAHS' audience and promptly relays relevant updates to leadership regarding the social media community.
• Interacts with student workers to help develop social media content on behalf of the University.
• Posts content and monitors engagement on all USAHS alumni social media platforms (currently 4 private Facebook groups and a LinkedIn group).

• Creates a social media marketing strategy with a template for social media posts each month.
• Reviews other university and alumni social media sites to recommend action and stay on top of trends.
• Helps identify alumni and students to record testimonials for USAHS and post reviews.

• Oversees core faculty and leadership biography and profile picture process to ensure new hires and changes are posted to the usa.edu website and communicated internally.
• Assists with the development and implementation of high-impact internal communication strategies and vehicles to promote engagement and the overall integrity of USAHS' culture of commitment to excellence in health sciences education. Develop and/or create content in a variety of formats, including written communication and visual graphics.
• Coordinates, writes, and edits Campus Connection, the University's weekly e-newsletter dedicated to sharing stories and informing faculty and staff. It provides information about the University, its people and the professions we serve.
• Creates content for the University's internal websites and intranet (MyUSA and Campus Connection) and post necessary cross-departmental updates as needed.
• Helps coordinate and create alumni communications, including the biannual publication, Accolades, and the monthly e-newsletter, Accolades Insider, alumni emails and Class Notes. Assists in development of content for these publications and helps to oversee production with vendors, including printers, graphic designers and freelance writers.
• Supports internal communication to USAHS students, faculty and staff by creating and posting content to campus TVs.
• Establishes individual strategies for measuring communication effectiveness and outcomes; responsible for analysis and reporting of results, tracking email performance and documenting past communications for future use.
• Develops and executes marketing best practices, including optimal written and design elements intended to impact response rates, email open rates, etc.
• Collaborates with other departments such as PR, Alumni Engagement, Student Services, etc.
• Serves as an ambassador of the USAHS brand and consults on its proper use throughout all promotions, internal publications, marketing, social media presence and any other environment in which the brand appears.
• Monitors schedule, production and distribution arrangements and other details to ensure timely completion and quality control of marketing and communications activities/platforms.

Core Responsibilities

• Writes in the voice of the University, executing per brand guidelines.
• Promotes the University mission, vision, goals and objectives to internal and external constituencies.
• Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills.
• Promotes University's core values.
• Supports and demonstrates a student-centered philosophy.
• Works productively in a collaborative, team environment.
• Upholds University's professional, ethics and integrity standards.

May perform other duties and responsibilities that management may deem necessary from time to time.

POSITION IN ORGANIZATION

Reports to: Director, University Communications

Positions supervised:  None

TECHNICAL, MANAGERIAL & PEOPLE SKILLS REQUIRED

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Incumbents will be evaluated, in part, based on the performance of each essential function.  Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, marketing, communications or related field.
• 2-5 years of relevant experience in corporate/internal communications and/or social media, preferably with digital and design experience.
• Strong writing and editing skills and attention to detail.

• Demonstrated strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with internal and external partners/co-workers; should be comfortable working with key internal leaders and all University departments.

• Must have expertise in project management, along with strong organizational, prioritization and time-management skills with ability to meet deadlines, multi-task and follow through on project timelines.
• Highly developed, demonstrated teamwork skills, with ability to adapt and work under pressure.
• Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) preferred.
• Experience with social media, web content management systems and blog platforms (e.g. WordPress) preferred.
• Photography experience a plus.
• Previous experience in higher education a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to increase productivity and continuously improve methods, approaches and departmental contribution. Commitment to continuous learning.
• Knowledge of marketing practices and principles.
• Demonstrated understanding of graphic design concepts.
• Willingness to work a flexible schedule when required.

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Position may be required to travel.

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Collaborates - Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.
• Being Resilient - Rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.
• Instills Trust - Gaining the confidence and trust of others through honesty, integrity, and authenticity.
• Drives Results - Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.
• Innovation - Creating new and better ways for the organization to be successful.
• Customer Focus - Building strong customer relationships and delivering customer-centric solutions.