Communications Specialist

Job Overview

Work collaboratively to shape the college’s narrative through compelling content creation and strategic media relations by crafting engaging ad copy, email campaigns, articles, testimonials, talking points, scripts, select marketing materials, and web content, while supporting digital storytelling through short- and long-form video, managing press releases, and nurturing relationships with regional media to promote an accurate and engaging image of the college to internal and external audiences.
Reports to the Director of Marketing & Communications.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
● Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Marketing, or a related field.
● Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills. Provide a portfolio of writing samples. Strong understanding of Associate Press Style.
● Proven experience conducting interviews and turning them into engaging content for multiple platforms.
● Demonstrated experience with media relations, including writing press releases and pitching stories.
● Experience with photo/video editing software (Adobe Creative Suite, Canva and similar), social media management tools and content management system (CMS) is preferred.
CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES:
Must possess a valid driver’s license.

ESSENTIAL TASKS:
The tasks listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class.
Management may assign additional tasks related to the type of work of the class as necessary.
75% Content Writing & Management
● Craft content that aligns with the mission of the college and follows the editorial and brand guidelines, and Associate Press Style Guide.
● Craft compelling ad copy, marketing materials and social media posts that resonate with our target audiences.
● Conduct interviews with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners to generate authentic stories, testimonials, and feature content.
● Write feature articles for college publications, newsletters, and nicc.edu website, highlighting student achievements, faculty, partner and alumni success stories.
● Proactively engage alumni, students, faculty, staff, and community partners to generate story leads and expand the college’s news pipeline.
● Collaborate with the team on editing and copyediting, ensuring high-quality content to ensure clarity, coherence, and impact, while maintaining the College’s brand voice and style.
● Maintain and evolve brand voice documentation to ensure internal consistency across departments.
● Curate and maintain a content calendar to ensure consistent and timely flow of content across all platforms.
● Assist in creating and distributing internal communications to faculty and staff to keep them informed of major news and initiatives. Oversight of the College internal communications platform, the News Hub.
● Optimize digital content for search engines (SEO) to improve visibility and organic traffic.
● Assist in the scripting, creation and coordination of visual assets, including photography and short-and long-form video, for digital platforms.

25% Media Relations
● Draft and distribute press releases to announce college news and achievements.
● Create concise and effective talking points, scripts and media statements for college leadership.
● Maintain and update our media contact database. Collaborate with the Sports Information Director to ensure cross sharing of relevant information.
● Cultivate and nurture professional relationships with regional, state and national media to pitch compelling story ideas and secure coverage.
● Serve as the primary point of contact for news outlets and coordinate interviews with College employees.
● Track, analyze, and report on key content performance metrics to inform future strategy.
● Provide photography/video coverage at college events as requested. Assist in the organization, preparation and maintenance of display materials for college events, fairs and tradeshows.
● Perform other duties as assigned by the immediate supervisor.