Virginia Commonwealth University

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, generous tuition benefit, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more. Learn more about VCU’s benefits here.

Job Code 13221 Specialist CM 1 Recruitment Pool All Applicants Posting Number req8157 Unit Offc of Strategic Enrollment Mngmnt Department 1446 Admissions Recruitment Department Website Link https://semss.vcu.edu/ Location VCU Address 907 Floyd Ave, Richmond, VA 23284 USA.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Director of Admissions Communications, the Communications Specialist for Strategic Partnerships and Initiatives is responsible for planning, developing and managing recruitment communications in collaboration with key internal and external partners. Collaborators include campus partners across VCU, community partners and third-party vendors. The Communications Specialist plays a critical role in meeting recruitment and enrollment goals through strategic, student-centered partner communications.

This role is essential to strengthening partner relationships, supporting new initiatives and executing communications that align with the university’s recruitment and enrollment goals. The position requires excellent writing, communications planning and interpersonal skills, along with a strategic mindset and comfort with project management tools and CRM systems. The specialist will serve as a liaison with partners, ensuring that messaging supports shared goals and reflects VCU’s brand and values.

Core Responsibilities

Partner Communications (60%): Coordinate partner marketing and communications to support undergraduate student recruitment (e.g., email, text and call campaigns, print media, direct mail, digital marketing, video and photography, and other forms of communication) and create new materials consistent with VCU’s brand and marketing strategy.

Develop and coordinate partner communications across channels including email, direct mail, print, video, and digital media.
Create and review copy for digital outreach, ensuring alignment with brand guidelines and accessibility standards.
Collaborate with partners and technical colleagues to define target audiences and ensure communications are effectively segmented.
Manage updates and revisions to print and digital collateral used for internal and external partner recruitment communications.
Maintain consistent messaging across communications.
Support project management for communication initiatives, including developing timelines, coordinating tasks, monitoring progress, and ensuring deliverables are completed accurately, on time and within scope.
Contribute to an annual marketing plan that reflects the needs of strategic partners and enrollment objectives.
Conduct market research to develop effective and proactive strategies that adjust to shifting trends, leverage existing technologies, and engage emerging technologies to meet enrollment goals.

Partner Engagement (20%):

Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners.
Collaborate to identify new initiatives and communication needs that support recruitment strategies.

Admissions Events (10%):

Attend local on-campus and off-campus recruitment events and assist as needed.

Other Duties (10%): Complete other duties as assigned by the Director for Admissions Communications.

Qualifications

Minimum Hiring Standards:

Bachelor’s degree in English, communications, marketing, fine arts, liberal arts, journalism, public relations, media, or a related field and/or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Two years of professional experience in communications, marketing or a related field.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Demonstrated project management skills, including the ability to set priorities, manage timelines, and coordinate initiatives across multiple stakeholders.
Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, especially in cross-functional team settings.
Experience with CRM systems (preferably Slate) and project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello).
Proven ability to analyze communication performance data and use insights to adjust strategies and improve outcomes.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.
Demonstrated ability to adapt strategies to market trends and emerging technologies.
Ability to work independently and in teams. Collaborative work style that fosters and maintains strong relationships with campus partners and external partners from a wide array of backgrounds, identities, ages, life experiences, and communication styles.
Ability to recognize and protect confidential information in accordance with FERPA and exercise judgment, tact, and diplomacy in handling sensitive information and situations.
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

Professional experience in marketing or communications, especially in higher education.
Admissions or enrollment management experience.
Experience implementing a strategic communications plan.
Experience successfully managing and delivering social media and digital marketing content.
Knowledge of higher education market trends and best practices in admissions marketing and communication.
An understanding of design techniques (e.g., graphic design, web design, videography, photography).
Experience managing communications through Slate CRM system.
Proficient in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Other Position Details

This position is eligible for a hybrid teleworking schedule with up to 40% remote.
This posting will close September 21st at 7PM.

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