Communications Strategist I or II

The University of Virginia’s Miller Center of Public Affairs seeks a COMMUNICATIONS STRATEGIST I or II (depending on experience) to produce a variety of internal and external communications, including website and printed content, weekly email e-blasts, social media postings, and media alerts, and perform a variety of marketing duties to help promote the Center’s scholars and activities.

The Opportunity

For nearly 50 years, the Miller Center has played a leading role in studying the American presidency and using that research to shape debates and set agendas for a range of national challenges. Our original work includes authoritative biographies of every president; signature research on the Secret White House Tapes recorded by presidents stretching back to Franklin Roosevelt; comprehensive oral histories for every administration since Gerald Ford’s; and a weekly public event series that regularly features current and former senior White House officials, eminent presidential scholars, and leading journalists discussing the most pressing political and policy issues of the day.

The Center’s current presidential studies research agenda includes oral histories of the Obama and Trump presidencies, as well as Hillary Rodham Clinton’s tenure as Secretary of State; transcriptions and analysis of original recordings from the Roosevelt, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, and Reagan administrations; and a major conference on the American presidency planned for fall 2023. Other initiatives include a project on health care policy; a project on democracy and capitalism; a pan-UVA scholar collaborative on Russia’s war in Ukraine; and a focused look at U.S.-China relations.

This is an ideal opportunity for a marketing, communications, public relations, or public policy professional who desires to join a creative, collegial communications team of nearly a dozen professionals committed to helping one another perfect essential skills in writing, marketing, design, web production, analytics, and social media while embracing the chance to work closely with leading scholars, journalists, and Washington officials.  

Responsibilities

Manage a wide variety of communications activities and coordinate and contribute to print publications, website content, social media, and e-communications (30%)

·        Create and write content for print and online media, including website articles and in-depth exhibits, project mini-sites, print materials, e-blasts, newsletters, press releases, social media posts, marketing materials, and development solicitations

·        Research and write stories for the Miller Center’s signature biannual magazine, Illumination, drawn from interviews with Miller Center experts and the Miller Center’s presidential archives, including presidential oral histories and secret White House recordings

·        Copyedit and proofread documents, e-blasts, and website materials, ensuring that material meets Miller Center standards and publication guidelines and consulting with staff, faculty, and outside sources as necessary to ensure accuracy

·        Regularly post content to Miller Center social media channels, stay current on social media trends and industry best practices, and recommend new strategies to ensure that the Center's social media presence remains vibrant/vital

Proactively manage media relations, handling incoming inquiries as well as fostering ongoing relationships (20%)

·        Establish and maintain email distribution networks, creating easily deployable lists of constituencies receptive to Miller Center content, including media

·        Build relationships with leading journalists and promote Miller Center scholars and events to media

·        Post scholar earned media hits to the Miller Center website

Work with faculty and staff on publication projects, media appearances, public events, marketing activities, and initiatives to raise faculty profiles (25%)

·        Help plan and coordinate marketing of Miller Center events, activities, and thought leadership

·        Coordinate outreach efforts to student interest groups and build and maintain student outreach lists to grow student attendance at Miller Center events

·        Prepare and post Miller Center event listings to the website

·        Promote Miller Center events to other units across the University and seek their assistance in marketing to their constituencies

·        Build mini-sites for scholar books

Establish and maintain communications calendar (10%)

·        Maintain list of significant historical anniversaries tied to Miller Center content and areas of study

·        Create website materials and media advisories around relevant historical events

Perform other duties as assigned (15%)

Minimum Required Qualifications

·        Bachelor’s degree

·        To be considered at the Communications Strategist I level, two years of experience is required. To be considered at the Communications Strategist II level, at least three years of experience is required. Experience may include full-time employment and/or internships, externships, shadowing, volunteering, employment as a student worker, part-time or summer jobs, and similar activities in which skills that are relevant to the work of the position are developed.

Preferred Qualifications

·        Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, communications, U.S. history or political science, public policy, or a closely related field

·        Knowledge of contemporary American history and politics

·        Experience in Washington, D.C., working on Capitol Hill or in the executive branch, at a think tank or university, in public relations, or in the public policy realm 

·        Knowledge of and experience with creating website content and social media posts, including working within a content management system (CMS)

·        Knowledge of and ability to apply standard editing and copyediting processes

·        Knowledge of and ability to apply Chicago Manual of Style guidelines, including standard American grammar

·        Ability to establish and meet appropriate deadlines

·        Ability to handle competing priorities, including competing components of the position

·        Ability to keep careful and accurate records, tracking drafts and sources

·        Ability to work independently and collaboratively towards common goals

·        Experience producing or overseeing production of printed materials

·        Basic photo editing experience (e.g., cropping, sizing, editing)

·        Ability to uphold the values of the Miller Center’s faculty and staff

Organizational Background

Established in 1975 through a generous gift from entrepreneur and philanthropist Burkett Miller, the Miller Center is a nonpartisan affiliate of the University of Virginia that specializes in presidential scholarship, public policy, and political history. It strives to apply the lessons of history and civil discourse to the nation's most pressing contemporary governance challenges.

The Miller Center is a supportive community, grounded in diverse perspectives. Its faculty and staff value scholarly excellence, civil discourse, and respectful conduct.

Physical Demands

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings and programs.

Additional Position Information

This position is chiefly performed in an in-person work environment, with occasional opportunities to work from home.

This is a restricted position which extends through June 15, 2025. Renewal is possible, subject to performance, availability of funds, and need. This position will remain open until filled. For questions about the application process please contact Ashley Cochran, Senior Academic Recruiter, alc6dk@virginia.edu.

To Apply

Please apply through Workday, and search for R0045365. Complete an application online with the following documents:

• Resume/CV
• Cover letter
• Three (3) writing samples (or a link to portfolio including writing samples) – samples of past work that are relevant to this role or on a related subject matter

All documents may be loaded into the resume submission field; multiple documents may be submitted into this one field.

**Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.**

References will be completed via UVA’s standardized process, Skill Survey. References will be requested during the final phase of the interview process.

The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. This position will require education verification.

COVID Vaccination Requirement and Guidelines

Please visit the UVA COVID-19 Job Requirements and Guidelines webpage prior to applying for current information regarding vaccination requirements and guidelines for employment at UVA.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, is fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.