Pay Grade/Pay Range: Minimum: $48,600 - Midpoint: $60,800 (Salaried E7)
Department/Organization: 800110 - Student Life Communications
Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 5:00pm
Job Summary: The Communications Specialist II writes and edits communications for a college, division, and/or the University. Develops and implements plans, activities, and tactics to support the goals of assigned areas. Coordinates the production of materials and resources through a variety of platforms, including digital and physical mediums.
Additional Department Summary: Acts as a strategic communications partner for up to three Student Life departments, leading communication planning, branding, and marketing initiatives that align with divisional and University standards. Serves as a relationship manager for campus partners seeking to reach students through Student Life communication channels, helping coordinate and amplify student-success-focused messaging. Serves as the lead content creator and social media strategist for the Division of Student Life, developing engaging written, visual, and multimedia content that promotes student engagement, well-being, success, and retention across divisional channels. Manages the Student Life Social Media Ambassador Program, supervising student content creators and overseeing content planning, training, and performance. Contributes to divisional communication strategy through campaign development, newsletters, digital communications, and social media initiatives, while also supporting content strategy and content creation for the Vice President for Student Life's social media presence. Supports additional divisional communications projects and professional development initiatives as assigned.
Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and two (2) years of experience in journalism, public relations, marketing, and/or communications; OR master's degree and some experience in journalism, public relations, marketing, and/or communications.
Skills and Knowledge: Knowledge of fundamental concepts, practices and procedures of communications, social media, organic content strategy/creation and public relations. Excellent communication skills. Ability to work with others in a team environment. Excellent project management and time management skills to handle the volume and variety of projects at the pace each project requires. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines. Ability to write for many audiences and communication channels. Demonstrated initiative and creativity in project planning and execution. Ability to serve as backup for primary communicators in graphic design, photography, videography, etc. Demonstrates commitment to supporting all students.
Preferred Qualifications: Two (2) years of professional related (communications, social media) experience. Experience creating digital content and/or managing social media account strategy and creation. Specialized skillset in one or more of the following areas: photography, videography, web design, graphic design or other creative media specialty.
Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.
Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to any legally protected basis and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. More information is available in the EEOC’s Know Your Rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal poster.
The University of Alabama affirms its longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality, free speech, and academic freedom.
