Penn State Job Catalog

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The defined natural career progression within or between job profiles.

Strategic Communications - Marketing and Communications

The Strategic Communications Specialist - Marketing and Communications works within the University's Office of Strategic Communications; provides strategic guidance and hands-on execution for the University's brand, reputation, enrollment, and engagement efforts; supports University-wide, high-priority initiatives by aligning brand strategy, integrated storytelling, advertising campaigns, and audience engagement to advance institutional goals; collaborates closely with teams across Strategic Communications and the broader University to develop, execute, analyze, and optimize campaigns and content; represents the University's voice to a global audience; provides counsel, training, and best practices to University communicators.

• Collaborate in the development, planning, and execution of enrollment, brand, and reputation campaigns
• Align messaging, creative assets, and channel strategies with the University's brand platform and audience goals
• Develop project creative briefs, messaging frameworks, and communications plans
• Identify opportunities for high-impact, University-wide storytelling that supports brand and other strategic priorities
• Write, edit, proofread, and optimize copy; source graphics, photography, and video content
• Gather background research, assets, and benchmarking insights to inform content strategy
• Assist in facilitating integrated content meetings and cross-functional communications planning
• Collaborate with other staff in the Office of Strategic Communications to extend the reach and impact of stories across platforms
• Collaborate with staff in Strategic Communications to tailor content to platform-specific audiences and goals
• Provide timely, accurate, and professional customer service to followers via comments and direct messages; develop saved responses and workflows for frequently asked questions and recurring issues
• Support monitoring of social media channels and broader digital conversations for issues that may negatively impact the University's brand and reputation, escalating emerging issues to appropriate teams and leadership and contributing to response strategy and messaging
• Support Strategic Communications' issues, crisis, internal, and proactive media teams as needed
• Provide insights into social sentiment, trends, and public reaction to University actions and positions
• Track asset and content performance over time to inform future creative and strategic decisions
• Serve as a trusted adviser to University communicators, faculty, and staff on brand strategy, messaging, and social media best practices
• Consult on campus advertising, creative, and social campaigns to ensure alignment with University priorities and standards
• May oversee and mentor student employees, interns, and brand ambassadors who support content creation and engagement efforts
• May supervise or mentor staff members, including hiring, training/development, and performance management

Level:

– Intermediate Professional

Base Description:

– Completes activities, tasks, and/or projects of a functional nature.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates ability to perform intermediate tasks in defined skill areas. Demonstrates intermediate knowledge of internal procedures. Works under general supervision, performing assignments that may be varied and sometimes difficult. Supports team decisions and follows through with team responsibilities. Interprets and communicates information clearly and accurately. Demonstrates intermediate problem–solving skills.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– May serve as direct supervisor for part–time, student, and/or temporary workers or volunteers

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– May validate and pay invoices

Problem Solving:

– Encounters generally routine problems; occasionally faces more complex and/or varied problems
– Typically follows recommended course of action and procedures to resolve problems
– Applies knowledge of larger unit goals, priorities, and related procedures in determining course of action

Independence of Action:

– Work is generally monitored by supervisor
– Detailed instructions and procedures are generally provided
– Uses available guidelines to make appropriate adaptations to routine situations and refers other situations to supervisor

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates internally within working unit and/or the University
– May communicate with external audiences
– Collaborates closely with team members
– Interprets and communicates information, ideas and instructions clearly and accurately both verbally and in written materials intended for distribution

• Comp Grade – 7
• Minimum – $49,188.00
• MidPoint – $60,216.00
• Maximum – $71,340.00

• Advertising
• Advertising campaigns
• Brand management
• Communication design
• Communications planning
• Content creation
• Proofreading
• Public relations
• Social media management
• Web analytics
• Web design