(Hybrid) Marketing Strategist - Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

The Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Marketing Strategist.

About the Opportunity

As a key member of the marketing and communications team for the WVU Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources, the Marketing Strategist serves as the lead writer for the College. The responsibilities of this position include high-level writing, in-depth research, interviewing and strong editorial capabilities to produce content in the form of news releases, recruitment marketing materials, recruitment communications, media advisories, internal/external communications, feature articles, social media campaigns/posts, advertising to both internal and external audiences-including state, national and international print, broadcast and electronic media outlets and in-house communications. The ideal candidate will be well-versed in storytelling strategies and adept at producing effective multimedia content, including written, video and photography formats. The incumbent will be expected to work independently and as a part of a team in a collaborative and deadline-driven environment.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

Marketing and Media Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing and Communications, Assistant Director of Marketing Technologies and the Coordinator of Enrollment Management to develop and implement strategic communications and marketing plans that promote the College and its programs, supporting student recruitment and retention goals aligned with university metrics and priorities.
• Create content for student recruiting materials based on the College's brand identity in partnership with director, enrollment office and office of academics and student performance.
• Track analytics to prove effectiveness of strategic marketing plans and achievement of outline goals.
• Build the College's visibility and reputation through innovative usage of social media channels. Act as one of the managers of the social media platforms and create posts to generate public interest and promote the College.
• Work with directors, designer and graduate assistant to create and execute social media calendar, including daily posts and data-driven social media campaigns. Monitor current trends in marketing and social media to evolve social media presence. Engage with audiences on all social platforms.
• Coordinate posts with WVU Strategic Communications and Marketing/Social Media and College units collaborating on content.
• Coordinate with assistant director/web developer to review website content and provide updates of recruitment, research and development content or timely removal of outdated information.
• Work with director and assistant director to populate monthly Wired e-news content and e-news for departments.
• Assist the director and assistant director with special projects and other tasks as needed.

Writing and Communication Responsibilities:

• Research, write and edit high quality press releases and content that promotes the Statler College's degree programs and the achievements of faculty, staff, students and alumni that will be shared on the College's webpages, email communications, social media accounts and WVUToday.
• Maintain frequent and regular contact with administrators, faculty, researchers, staff, students and alumni from the Statler College to identify newsworthy content for internal/external communications.
• Reformat content from press releases to the College's magazine EngineeringWV, department e-newsletters, recruiting materials and other communication/marketing deliverables.
• Provide support to WVU Strategic Communications and Marketing teams in the production of releases and announcements.
• Work closely with WVU Strategic Communications and Marketing-News to ensure timely placement of Statler College press releases.
• Work independently and with a team to produce reliable, high-quality editorial content.
• Provide advice/support to administrators/faculty/staff regarding effective communications.
• Manage multiple projects with time sensitive deadlines.
• Work as integral member with the Statler College Marketing and Communications team and WVU Strategic Communications and Marketing departments to ensure policies and protocols are followed and remain in the University brand.
• Research outside news outlets ranging at the University level, regional and national news that are of interest to the college and share information with the director for potential stories or expert pitches.
• Oversee student writer's content and edit for accuracy and professionalism before publishing over various media platforms
• Assist the director and assistant director with special projects and other tasks as needed.

Support and Events:

• Interact with local, regional and national media (television, radio, print and online) when needed. Develop relationships with reporters to aid in optimal cooperation and coverage.
• Provide support for media related to events, research, student competitions, student and faculty awards, etc.
• Assist with communications before/during/after upcoming events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree is required in journalism, communications, marketing, public relations, English or a related field.
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in the following:
  • Working in journalism, communications, or public relations within a higher education institution, science organization, news media, government agency, business, or other knowledge-based organization.
  • Interviewing, researching, writing, editing, and proofreading.
  • Conducting social media on behalf of an organization.
  • Creating content based on organizational brand guidelines.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated excellent interviewing, writing, editing and speaking skills, including the ability to distill and clarify ideas under a deadline.
• Associated Press and Chicago Style writing ability.
• Exceptional oral/written communication (grammar, composition, spelling) and presentation skills with superior language skills.
• Demonstrated skill in analyzing situations and providing sound professional judgement on problems dealing with sensitive and sometimes confidential issues.
• Demonstrated experience working with photography and/or videography and/or social media.
• Demonstrated general knowledge of electronic, print, interpersonal and marketing communications, in service to complex organizations.
• Ability to work collaboratively and effectively communicate with administrators, faculty, staff, students, alumni and other executives/staff at the University levels and maintain cooperative working relationships.
• Skill in identifying the optimum messages to be communicated, the appropriate audience, the method of communication and the timing the communication.
• Skill in organizing tasks, documents and materials with efficiency and accuracy.
• Ability to work under continuous time constraints and multiple deadline pressures manage priorities effectively.
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of organization brand guidelines.
  Ability to operate the necessary computer software, web-based and other high-tech equipment to perform various communication duties; broad knowledge of web and various publishing/design programs.
• Willingness to learn techniques within other platforms such as web, video, audio, social media to tell stories.
• Ability to uncover the essence of technical information and explain it correctly to specific range of audiences.
• Familiarity with process for ADA compliance in communications and marketing.

• Valid U.S. driver's license

Required Application Materials:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Examples of marketing and communications work, including writing samples and social media content

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.