Research Communications Specialist (Hybrid Possible)

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Job description

Research Communications Specialist (Hybrid Possible)

University of Notre Dame

The University of Notre Dame () is accepting applications for a Research Communications Specialist (Hybrid Possible).

Applications will be accepted until 10/31/2024.

It's more than what you do: it's how you do it. That's why Notre Dame Research (NDR) is committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity and ensures that members of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome, and included. We strive to achieve a culture of openness, autonomy, and belonging, making Notre Dame an exceptional place for our team, partners, and collaborators to flourish.

Come grow with us! As a leading global Catholic research university, one of just 71 members in the esteemed Association of American Universities (AAU), the University of Notre Dame is committed to living its mission to be a powerful means for doing good in the world through its research, scholarship, and creative endeavor.

Now, in order to provide communications support for wireless research, which is an area of historic research strength at the University, NDR is searching for a savvy communicator and brand manager with strong leadership skills and an appreciation and enthusiasm for research to join the central NDR Communications (NDRC) team as a Research Communications Specialist. This role will specifically support a major National Science Foundation (NSF) grant, SpectrumX.

SpectrumX Support SpectrumX is the NSF Spectrum Innovation Center, led by Notre Dame. This five-year, $25 million research center is a nexus for large-scale research, education, workforce development, and national-level partnerships. SpectrumX is a complex multidimensional entity with over 30 member institutions. It consists of an interdisciplinary and diverse group of scientists, engineers, and educators who are focused on spectrum-related research, including management and coexistence, economics and policy, and more. Innovations in wireless technology and management of radio spectrum can have a tremendous impact on economic development, national security, and global competitiveness, requiring SpectrumX to effectively engage, share results, and transfer knowledge with spectrum regulators, policymakers, and other government staff, as well as industry and academia.

For four days a week, the Research Communications Specialist (RCS) will support SpectrumX's positioning and engagement efforts, especially with the key goal of developing and implementing communications and public relations strategies to increase awareness and involvement of SpectrumX with industry, government, and political stakeholders. This is a hybrid position based in either South Bend, Indiana, or the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

While primarily embedded in the NDRC team, as part of the SpectrumX responsibilities the RCS will:

Complete a communications audit of the current state of SpectrumX's communications audiences, outputs, and needs.

Develop a comprehensive strategic positioning and communications plan to meet SpectrumX audience needs (primarily focused on government and political stakeholders, as well as funders). Core elements of this plan may include:

Developing precise, consistent core messaging for use across all existing outreach platforms, including talking points, shared marketing messages (boilerplate, summaries, taglines, and more), messaging, and executive-level communications.

Collaborating with the ND Media Relations team, as well as the media relations and communications counterparts at the member institutions, in order to target radio frequency/spectrum media. Leverage existing and identify new media contacts and influencers, pitch story ideas, and draft content. Assist with the coordination of media relations training for SpectrumX leadership on an annual, or as-needed, basis. Monitor relevant media coverage, maintain a library of the same, and report to SpectrumX leadership.

Leverage and expand stakeholder relationships, such as partners in Federal Agencies, Congressional Staffers, Spectrum Regulators (NTIA, FCC), and policy influencers, and create targeted outreach materials, such as fact sheets, newsletters, etc. to inform these audiences about SpectrumX. Maintain this list of stakeholders and ensure it is updated on a regular basis.

Together with ND's Federal Relations team, as well as with the relevant federal relations teams at the member institutions, coordinating briefing meetings between the SpectrumX team and key stakeholders. In some instances, the RCS will be required to attend these meetings.

Supporting key outreach events, such as Center meetings, Advisory Board meetings, NSF review panels, and industry conferences. This work may include both strategically identifying relevant events to support or attend, as well as providing comprehensive events planning and logistical support on location.

Managing the creation of, or creating, an evergreen highlight video(s), to be used online, at events, or in newsletters.

Preparing a public-facing annual report for use by SpectrumX leadership and online.

Providing support for talking points, slide decks, reports, and more, as needed by the SpectrumX team.

In addition, the RCS will be expected to manage a number of regular communications tasks, including:

Writing news stories that highlight research outcomes, event summaries, and student profiles, from SpectrumX and its members.

Maintaining the related websites, spectrumx.org and spectrumweek.org. These tasks include coordinating with the web developers and project managing future web upgrades.

Creating graphics and other multimedia content for use on social media, the website, digital signs, and more. Candidate must be able to take concept from ideation, through drafting, editing, and design, to a final product for print and delivery or use online.

Identifying and maintaining promotional items for use at events, conferences, and more.

Updating SpectrumX's current social media channels on X and LinkedIn on a daily or weekly basis. Act in an advisory capacity to student-run channels on Instagram and others as they arise.

Provide monthly reporting on all of the above items.

Attending all relevant SpectrumX team meetings.

As needed, coordinating with communicators from SpectrumX member institutions.

Managing at least one student intern to support the deliverables above.

The RCS will be expected to attend NDRC team meetings and one-on-one meetings with their direct manager within NDR. Occasionally the RCS may be expected to support central NDR projects, based on the discretion of the director. Overall, this collaborative, solutions-oriented problem solver, who has an understanding of, and enthusiasm for, higher education, science, and research, and can work within embargoed and/or confidential arrangements, will be expected to work diplomatically as part of the NDRC team. The RCS will work closely with the wider communications network at Notre Dame, as well, including with colleagues in the Colleges and Schools, the Office of Public Affairs and Communications, the Office of Development, and more.

Notre Dame Research is committed to creating a community that fosters equity of experience and opportunity and ensures that members of all backgrounds feel safe, welcome, and included. We strive to achieve a culture of openness, autonomy, and belonging, making Notre Dame an exceptional place for our team, partners, and collaborators to flourish.

Minimum Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree

English, public relations, or other communications degree with an interest in STEM fields desired. Alternatively, a science or engineering background with strong writing skills is beneficial.

3 to 4 years of relevant work experience

Skills:

Candidate must be a creative and collaborative problem-solver with a proven ability to manage a continuous, professional presence in all areas of communications. Proficiency in Macintosh platforms. Experience with Adobe products preferred. Proficiency in Google products required, including email, calendar, sheets, docs, analytics, and more.

Experience in public relations or media relations is required, along with experience in brand management. Strong connections and contacts in relevant media publications, such as technology, policy, etc. strongly desired.

Experience using content management systems (i.e. Conductor, WordPress, etc.) and experience using social media (LinkedIn, X, or others) for business purposes is required. Experience using email marketing software (i.e. Emma) required.

Exceptional verbal and written communication skills required, including research, fact-checking, and editing. Candidate must show demonstrated success in crafting substantive and cohesive messages and successfully communicating to key scientific audiences resulting in a measurable difference (e.g., elevated profile, broader visibility, increased funding, etc.) to the organization.

Well-organized and detail-oriented, with an ability to multitask and handle shifting priorities. Candidates will need the ability to function as a team member to fulfill team objectives while working collaboratively with the highest standards of confidentiality, discretion, and diplomacy.

Enthusiasm and ability to meet deadlines, creative and strategic thinking, strong organizational skills, detail-oriented, and a collaborative style, even when in a hybrid or remote environment . click apply for full job details

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