Health & Human Sciences Strategic Communications Associate

University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension and Engagement - Health and Human Sciences Department

MU TITLE: Strategic Communications Associate I

LOCATION: Gentry Hall - Columbia, MO

The University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension and Engagement's distinct land-grant mission is to improve lives, communities and economies by producing relevant, reliable and responsive educational strategies throughout Missouri. Our dedicated and knowledgeable faculty and staff collaborate with researchers and community leaders to develop and deliver programs that address needs of Missourians including: educational attainment; environmental concerns; community, economic, business and workforce development; global food systems; and health systems. For more information about MU Extension and Engagement, please visit http://extension.missouri.edu.

Health and Human Sciences (HHS) Extension promotes optimal well-being of individuals, families and communities, with special recognition for the needs of vulnerable populations. HHS Extension offers a variety of educational programs throughout the state, including the Family Nutrition Education Program for individuals and families.

The Strategic Communications Associate will provide support to the HHS Extension Strategic Communications group. This position will develop social media, web, and newsletter content that engages HHS' audiences, builds awareness of HHS and its programs and tells the story of HHS' impact. This position will ensure that all content developed is in coordination with the university brand standards.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

40% Content Creation:

• Develop high-quality written, visual, and audio content tailored for multiple platforms, including social media, websites, and email newsletters.
• Collaborate with designers, videographers, and other team members to produce visually appealing graphics, videos, podcasts, and other multimedia assets.
• Write clear, compelling copy that resonates with target audiences and drives engagement.

20% Content Scheduling & Management:

• Create and upkeep a shared content calendar to ensure continuous delivery of fresh, relevant content across platforms.
• Plan and schedule content using social media management tools to audience reach.

20% Collaboration & Communication:

• Collaborate with the Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) team and Health and Human Sciences (HHS) faculty to brainstorm and develop innovative, engaging content ideas that align with the interests and needs of HHS Extension.

10% Writing and Editing:

• Edit and proofread content to ensure clarity, accuracy, and adherence to brand voice and style guidelines.

10% Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Conduct all activities in accordance with the Civil Rights Acts, Title IX, Rehabilitation, Americans with Disabilities Act and local, state and region affirmative action plans. Other duties and responsibilities will be expected to support the mission and purpose of MU Extension.

LEADERSHIP RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Administrative supervision is received from the HHS Extension Strategic Communications team lead.

CORE ATTRIBUTES FOR MU EXTENSION FACULTY AND STAFF

Exhibit a high personal standard of excellence, be an effective team player, and demonstrate inclusivity, civility and respect for all.

Engage stakeholders and learners; maintain positive interpersonal relationships; and exhibit effective written and oral communication skills.

Operate with minimal guidance, and be a self-directed learner who is flexible and adaptable to changing environments.

UNIVERSITY INFORMATION

The University of Missouri, also known as Mizzou and MU, is the Flagship University of the four-campus University of Missouri system. It is the state's land-grant university and one of the most comprehensive universities in the United States. MU's broad undergraduate programs and its' graduate, professional and research programs attract annual enrollment of more than 30,000 students. MU is centrally located in Columbia, MO, which is consistently ranked as one of America's most livable cities. MU Extension and Engagement programs are located on all four campuses and in 114 counties and St. Louis city.

Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and 2 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

• Proven Content Creation Skills: Experience in developing and optimizing content for digital platforms, including social media, websites, and email newsletters. Strong portfolio of previous work.
• Graphic Design Proficiency: Skilled in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) or similar design software to create compelling visual content.
• Social Media Expertise: Demonstrated knowledge of best practices for social media management, including experience with platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter, as well as social media management tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer).
• Analytics Knowledge: Ability to analyze web and social media performance metrics using tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, etc., to adjust and improve content strategies.
• Copywriting Skills: Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills with the ability to adapt tone and style for various audiences and platforms.
• Photography and Video Production: Basic skills in photography and video content creation/editing, with experience in tools like Canva, Final Cut Pro, or Adobe Premiere as a plus.
• Project Management Abilities: Strong organizational skills to handle multiple projects and deadlines efficiently; familiarity with project management tools (e.g., Asana, Trello) is a bonus.
• Digital Storytelling: Ability to craft engaging stories that resonate with diverse audiences and support the brand's mission and goals.
• Understanding of Brand Consistency: Experience ensuring visual and written content aligns with brand guidelines and contributes to a cohesive, recognizable brand voice.
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal skills to collaborate effectively with team members, other departments, and external partners.

Salary Range: $18.50 - $26.34 hourly

Grade: GGS-008

University Title: Strategic Communications Associate I

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours' drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County's largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen cultural festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Values Commitment

We value the uniqueness of every individual and strive to ensure each person's success. Contributions from individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives promote intellectual pluralism and enable us to achieve the excellence that we seek in learning, research and engagement. This commitment makes our university a better place to work, learn and innovate.

In your application materials, please discuss your experiences and expertise that support these values and enrich our missions of teaching, research, and engagement.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri System is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Equal Opportunity is and shall be provided for all employees and applicants for employment on the basis of their demonstrated ability and competence without unlawful discrimination on the basis of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable state or federal law. This policy applies to all employment decisions including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, promotions, pay practices, benefits, disciplinary actions and terminations. For more information, visit https://www.umsystem.edu/ums/hr/eeo or call the Director of Employee and Labor Relations at 573-882-2146.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.