Communications Specialist_

Providence

Job Description:

The Communications Specialist is responsible for writing a variety of highly personalized and well-reasoned written communications for the President. Under the guidance of the Director of Presidential Communications, responsibilities include developing and distributing presidential correspondence, including thank you letters, birthday messages, sympathy letters, congratulatory letters, appointment letters, invitations, pre-announcement notifications and other specialized correspondence; monitoring and responding to presidential mail; developing specialized communications content, including but not limited to items such as event programs, photos and social media posts; supporting the planning and management of presidential events and initiatives affiliated with the Office of the President; and using sound judgement to direct and respond to calls to the Office of the President.

This position requires developing in-depth knowledge of the University, its initiatives and its internal and external constituents to understand and convey information that fulfills the purpose of each writing assignment. The Correspondence Specialist routinely interacts with a variety of University colleagues, including the Division of Advancement, Office of Government and Community Relations, Office of the Dean of the Faculty, University Human Resources, Office of College Admission, etc.

Major Responsibilities:

-Draft correspondence and process all communications to/from the Office of the President.

-Support projects, events and initiatives of the Office of the President and other related duties as assigned.

- Serve as the first point of contact for the Office of the President.

Education and Experience:

+ Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism or a related field, or equivalent combination of skills and experience.

+ 3-5 years of professional experience in communications or a related field, preferably in a university setting or working for senior-level management.

+ Superior public relations and interpersonal skills with proven ability to develop strong relationships and collaborate with various constituencies in a professional manner, exhibiting excellent written and oral communication skills and demonstrating tact and diplomacy.

+ Ability to work independently and proactively, yet function in a collaborative team environment, exhibiting self-reliance, dependability, trustworthiness, good listening skills, and an ability to form effective working partnerships with colleagues.

+ Demonstrated ability to support a community of diverse perspectives and cultures in an inclusive environment.

+ Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities and meet tight deadlines with quality work.

+ Excellent written and verbal communication, time management, organizational and interpersonal skills.

+ High degree of professionalism, ethical sensitivity, confidentiality and discretion; proven ability to apply good judgment and responsible decision-making.

+ Strong level of computer and word processing software proficiency required. Must have working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.

+ Knowledge of digital content dissemination systems and website maintenance systems preferred

+ Familiarity with supporting written and visual content for social media channels preferred

The Communications Specialist is responsible for writing a variety of highly personalized and well-reasoned communications for the President across many platforms. The successful candidate must have excellent writing abilities, exemplary communication skills, and be able to use sound judgement to address complex and sensitive inquiries. Confidentiality, professionalism and an ability to thoughtfully adapt messaging to various audiences are essential. The incumbent must be extremely organized, have keen attention to detail and be able to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative, team environment.

Responsibilities include developing and distributing communications on behalf of the president, including invitations, congratulatory letters, appointment letters, thank you letters, birthday messages, sympathy letters, pre-announcement notifications and other specialized correspondence. The correspondence specialist is the primary person responsible for monitoring and responding to presidential mail via [email protected], as well as hard-copy mail and phone inquiries. These tasks require proactively developing and maintaining an in-depth understanding of the University’s mission, structure, policies and initiatives, and the role of the Office of the President. The incumbent may also be required to take photos at presidential events and outings; draft content to be used for social media; develop various types of invitations; draft event programs; help manage event attendance; and provide other support as needed at presidential events. The correspondence specialist will also play a key role in supporting the maintenance and development of the website of the Office of the President.

The position often requires managing many tasks simultaneously, and the incumbent must maintain the ability to continuously change task requirements, work under pressure, and assess work priorities. In addition, the incumbent must maintain strong working relationships with many individuals throughout the University, including senior administrators. This position often requires interaction with both internal and external constituents. A strong sense of judgement and an ability to professionally represent the Office of the President are essential.

The Communications Specialist is an experienced written communications professional with excellent interpersonal skills who can work independently, effectively, and responsibly with senior administrators, as well as with colleagues of all levels throughout the University. The incumbent is required to successfully collaborate and strategize with a wide variety of professionals, exhibiting a commitment to teamwork and to ensuring that the Office of the President runs smoothly by producing timely, professional, and relevant correspondence from the President.

Please include a cover letter when attaching your resume to the application.

Criminal and education background check satisfactory to Brown University.

Benefits of Working at Brown:

Information on the Benefits of Working at Brown can be found here (rown.edu/a-z/benefits-working-brown) .

Recruiting Start Date:

2024-06-18

Job Posting Title:

Communications Specialist

Department:

Office of the President

Grade:

Grade 9

Worker Type:

Employee

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

37.5

Position Work Location:

Hybrid Eligible

Submission Guidelines:

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any staff position at Brown University you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

Still Have Questions?

If you have any questions you may contact [email protected].

EEO Statement:

Brown University is an E-Verify Employer.

As an EEO/AA employer (rown.edu/equal-employment-opportunity) , Brown University provides equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination, harassment and retaliation based upon a person’s race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law, and caste, which is protected by our University policies.

Welcome!

Founded in 1764, Brown is a leading institution for education, discovery, and global intellectual progress as well as one of the largest employers in Rhode Island. Working at Brown brings more than just a paycheck and generous benefits; it offers an opportunity to contribute to a greater good. Join us in supporting the pursuit of knowledge and individual growth that defines higher education and enriches our community.

Additional Information:

Information about our salary ranges can be found here (rown.edu/about/administration/human-resources/compensation-services/salary-ranges) .

Attachments:

A resume is required as part of your job application. Please also include a cover letter and any other related documents as noted in the job description.

Questions Submitting Your Application:

If you have questions about submitting your application, please contact [email protected].