Job Posting Title:
Communications Specialist
Hiring Department:
University Marketing and Communications
Position Open To:
All Applicants
Weekly Scheduled Hours:
40
FLSA Status:
Exempt
Earliest Start Date:
Immediately
Position Duration:
Expected to Continue Until Dec 12, 2026
Location:
UT MAIN CAMPUS
Job Details:
Purpose
As part of University Marketing and Communications (UMAC), the Communications Specialist supports internal communication efforts at the University level. Working closely with the Director of Internal Communications and other members of UMAC, this role will develop and coordinate content for various digital and print internal communication channels to support strategic organizational communication goals. Working with subject matter experts, the Communications Specialist will help plan, collect, write, produce, and edit content including executive talking points, remarks, and formal correspondence, newsletter and web content, magazine articles, impact stories, video scripts and event materials. They will help strengthen internal relationships and connections, improve awareness of key internal programs and initiatives, and help collect and analyze communications campaign data.
General Notes
Must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship. This position is funded for 24-months with the possibility of extension if additional funding is realized.
Responsibilities
- Strategic Communication Planning: Support the Director in developing and implementing communication plans in collaboration with key internal stakeholders. Assist in the collection of analytics and insights to inform continuous improvement in organizational communications.
- Content Development: Develop internal-facing content for large-scale change initiatives, including executive communications, employee-focused articles, newsletter content, web content, and other communication deliverables as assigned. Serve as a liaison with the Texas Connect faculty and staff magazine, pitching story ideas, editing articles, and re-marketing content for UT News and other platforms.
- Internal Email System Management: Assist University Marketing and Communications with the business ownership of the University’s Group Email System for internal communications to students, faculty, and staff. Manage an email editorial calendar and help resolve scheduling conflicts. Design, test, and distribute University-wide emails and newsletters.
- Training and Community Engagement: Assist in training others on email policies, procedures, and best practices. Help manage a community of practice around University-wide email.
- Editorial Standards and Quality Control: Edit and proof communication materials, ensuring that the best editorial standards are met.
- Other related functions as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree with major coursework in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing or related field.
- Five years related experience in communications, writing/editing, marketing or general communications.
- Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
- Proven ability to prioritize, manage and organize multiple projects that consistently meet deadlines.
- Proven ability to write clear, concise, accurate and compelling people-centric content.
- Highly detail-oriented.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a collaborative team environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft 365 tools.
- Knowledge of AP Style.
Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
Preferred Qualifications
- More than five years experience in communications.
- Experience using Microsoft Teams, Microsoft Copilot, and Microsoft Stream.
- Experience using email marketing tools (ex. Emma, Eloqua, or Mailchimp).
- Experience using project management systems (ex. Asana)
- Experience leveraging artificial intelligence tools such as Microsoft Copilot to support efficiencies in developing and refining content.
- Professional experience in higher education a plus.
Salary Range
$60,000 + depending on qualifications
Working Conditions
- May work around standard office conditions.
- Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.
- Occasional overtime during peak periods.
- This position is based in Austin, TX and is required to work on campus.
Required Materials
- Resume/CV
- 2 writing samples
- 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
- Letter of interest
Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.
Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.
Employment Eligibility:
Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.
Retirement Plan Eligibility:
The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
Background Checks:
A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.
Pay Transparency:
The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.
Employment Eligibility Verification:
If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.
E-Verify:
The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:
- E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
- E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
- Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
- Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
Compliance:
Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.
The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.
