Communications Specialist

As a part of a diverse community of faculty and staff who represent many faith systems and worldviews, Marian University seeks a Communications Specialist to promote our Catholic Franciscan mission and identity through clear, strategic, and compelling communications. Reporting to the Executive Director of Communications, the Communications Specialist serves as a communications partner to assigned colleges, schools, departments, and administrative units; develops and executes communications plans; creates high-quality written content; supports media and internal communications; and coordinates projects across the Marketing and Communications team. The successful candidate will be an excellent writer and editor, a collaborative project manager, and a thoughtful communications professional who can translate institutional priorities into timely, audience-centered messaging. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: Actively engage the Catholic Franciscan mission and identity of Marian University by modeling the Franciscan Sponsorship Values, honoring the legacy of the founding congregation, promoting unity in diversity, and integrating the Catholic Franciscan intellectual tradition into communications, programs, and services. Serve as the communications liaison and strategic partner for assigned colleges, schools, departments, and administrative units. Develop and execute communications plans for university initiatives, events, announcements, academic programs, and institutional priorities. Counsel campus leaders and partners on messaging, audience, timing, communications strategy, and appropriate communication channels. Identify, develop, and elevate storytelling opportunities that demonstrate Marian University's mission, priorities, people, programs, and impact. Write and edit news releases, media advisories, Marian Newsroom stories, feature stories, website copy, newsletters, talking points, campus-wide messages, and other institutional communications; assist with executive communications as assigned. Edit and proofread communications created by campus partners, ensuring accuracy, clarity, consistency, and alignment with Marian University's editorial standards and brand voice. Manage communications requests in Monday.com from intake through completion, establishing scope, priorities, timelines, deliverables, and stakeholder expectations. Prioritize projects based on institutional goals, audience needs, urgency, and deadlines while maintaining production schedules and keeping stakeholders informed of project status. Coordinate communications projects with colleagues in marketing, multimedia, social media, web, design, enrollment, advancement, athletics, and other university areas to ensure integrated execution. Develop and maintain annual communications calendars for assigned colleges, schools, departments, and university initiatives. Build and maintain relationships with local and regional media; assist with story pitching, media inquiries, interview coordination, press conferences, media availabilities, and other media-facing events. Identify faculty and staff experts for media opportunities and prepare faculty, administrators, and other university representatives for interviews through briefing materials, key messages, and media preparation. Maintain media contact lists, track media coverage, and compile communications and earned-media reports to help assess reach and effectiveness. Partner with Human Resources, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Athletics, Advancement, university leadership, and other campus partners on internal communications. Draft and coordinate campus-wide emails, leadership communications, policy changes, operational updates, and other internal messages; use institutional email and SMS platforms, including Delivera, as appropriate. Assist in developing key messages, FAQs, talking points, and supporting materials for major university initiatives and announcements. Coordinate photography and video requests with multimedia staff to support communications plans and storytelling needs. Assist with crisis and issues communications and support emergency communications as a member of the university's crisis communications team, including occasional work outside normal business hours when circumstances require. Help develop resources and provide guidance or training to campus communicators on communications standards and best practices. Perform other duties as assigned. University Expectations: Knowledge of and a commitment to the mission of Marian University Adheres to Marian University’s policies and procedures Shows courtesy and respect in interactions with fellow employees, students, subordinates, and supervisors Communicates regularly with supervisor about Department issues Meets department productivity standards Participates in developing department goals, objectives, and systems Assists to establish department measurements that align and support the accomplishment of the University’s strategic goals Adheres to the department budget Required Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, English, or a related field. Two or more years of professional experience in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing communications, or a related field; higher education or similarly complex organization experience preferred. Demonstrated excellence in writing, editing, proofreading, and translating complex information into clear, engaging content for multiple audiences and channels. Strong interpersonal and consultation skills, with the ability to build effective relationships with faculty, staff, university leaders, media, and external partners. Demonstrated project management and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and coordinate work across teams. Sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive, confidential, or time-sensitive information. Working knowledge of media relations, internal communications, digital communications, and communications planning. Proficiency with Microsoft Office and common digital collaboration and project-management tools; experience with Monday.com and cloud-based email/SMS platforms such as Delivera is preferred. Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced environment, respond to changing priorities, and exercise initiative and critical thinking. Commitment to Marian University's Catholic Franciscan mission and the ability to work effectively within a diverse community representing many faith systems and worldviews. Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends, particularly for major university events, media needs, or crisis and emergency communications. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. For Consideration All Applications Require: Cover Letter Current resume or CV Contact information of three professional references. The reference contact information must be entered after the application is submitted in the "My Presence" section of the applicant profile. Responses to the supplementary mission & identity questions. Please Review Marian University’s Mission & Identity Statement before responding to the supplementary questions on your application: https://www.marian.edu/faith Essential Functions: Work hours necessary to perform job requirements satisfactorily on a regular basis. Manage absence from work in responsible manner to ensure service to clients, work teams, and coworkers. Comply with Marian University policies and practices and seeking clarification of them when necessary. Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use their hands to handle or feel objects, equipment, or controls; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, reach with their hands and arms, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Limitations and Disclaimer: The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position. All job requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves or other employees. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform other job-related duties requested by their supervisor in compliance with Federal and States Laws. Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee must possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Continued employment remains on an “at-will” basis. Marian University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.