Communications Specialist
Position Overview
The KU Center on Disabilities (KUCD) seeks a Communications Specialist to work with Center investigators, research faculty, and staff to create engaging content about our research, training/education, and community engagement activities. The Communications Specialist will develop a variety of creative materials (e.g., social media posts, website copy, videos, brochures, annual reports, recruitment materials) for digital contexts including social media channels and websites, as well as in printed formats (e.g., brochures, annual reports, recruitment materials). The Communications Specialist will be an important member of the Information Dissemination Team at KUCD and will be expected to assist in developing social media strategies and creating and monitoring timelines for information dissemination products across research projects. This role will also require editing and document preparation support for grant applications and other writing projects (e.g., book chapters or manuscript development). The ideal candidate will have excellent writing skills, an ability to synthesize complex information into plain language content, experience collaborating on a team, a commitment to meeting deadlines with high-quality work, strong problem-solving skills, and a desire to innovate in communications and dissemination work.
Job Description
40% - Multimedia Communications
- Work with senior KUCD leadership to identify and lead opportunities to create multimedia content for KUCD websites and social media, including story development for videos (animated or live action), in collaboration with other members of the Information Dissemination Team.
- Assist with management of social media channels, including maintaining a calendar for upcoming posts, developing accessible graphics and content, and planning social media campaigns aligned with Center priorities.
- Track and utilize social media activity to learn about our audiences and apply insights to future efforts.
- Ensure all dissemination materials meet established accessibility standards and generate new suggestions to deliver content in innovative ways.
- Assist in developing a future podcast and blog for KUCD and contribute written elements for this work.
- Assist in creating summary reports and other information dissemination products for research projects (e.g., editing, verifying accurate references, creating graphics or charts using project data). This includes contributing to annual reporting required by our Core funding agency, as well as annual project update reports for research studies.
- Write and edit materials that may be delivered online or in print such as research recruitment materials, infographics, training support materials, video scripts, newsletters, and promotional materials for the Center (e.g., brochures or other handout items).
- Draft emails for senior leadership to communicate internally with Center staff about events, activities, and status updates.
- Provide support for the Information Dissemination Team as needed (e.g., organize and schedule meetings, enter data for infographics or chart creation) in support of reporting, copywriting, and editing tasks.
- Provide editing and document preparation support for grant applications, journal manuscripts, and book chapters.
- Assist Associate Director for Information Dissemination with administrative responsibilities across communication projects and workflow management.
- Assist at KUCD events such as the annual Open House, annual meetings, staff retreats, video screenings, community trainings, and public talks.
- Assist in the creation of materials to engage current and potential donors.
- Co-lead the Plain Language team at KUCD.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in a relevant field (e.g., communications, journalism, English, fine arts, or related degree)
- One year of relevant communications work experience
- High degree of computer literacy, as evidenced by three years of experience working with Microsoft Office Suite
- Excellent writing skills demonstrated by prior work, as evidenced in application materials.
Preferred Qualifications
- Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite (e.g., Photoshop, InDesign, Adobe Express, and/or Illustrator) as demonstrated by application materials.
- Six months of experience managing multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.
- Six months of experience producing multimedia content, such as building or maintaining websites, developing video projects, or creating photography or audio using a camera, phone, or other devices.
- Six months of experience working on grant-funded research projects.
- Familiarity with Associated Press style. as demonstrated by application materials.
- One year of experience creating materials targeting the disability community.
Additional Candidate Instructions
In addition to the online application, the following documents are required to be considered for this position:
Application review begins Monday, November 18th, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. To ensure consideration, please apply by Sunday, November 17th, 2024.
- A cover letter addressing how required and preferred qualifications are met.
- Resume or curriculum vitae.
- Contact information for three professional references.
- 2-3 samples of written materials (e.g., academic publications, web copy, social media post sample, articles, newsletters, or other written materials) you have created.
Application review begins Monday, November 18th, 2024, and will continue until the position is filled. To ensure consideration, please apply by Sunday, November 17th, 2024.
Contact Information to Applicants
Lisa Hildebrandt
Associate Director, KU Center on Disabilities (KUCD)
lisa.hildebrandt@ku.edu
Associate Director, KU Center on Disabilities (KUCD)
lisa.hildebrandt@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range
44,000-50,000, commensurate with education and experience.
Work Schedule
40 hours/week
Application Review Begins
Monday November 18, 2024
Anticipated Start Date
Monday January 6, 2025