(Hybrid) Communications Specialist Senior - Chambers College of Business and Economics

The Strategic Communications Office in the John Chambers College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University is accepting applications for a (Hybrid) Communications Specialist Senior.

About the Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Marketing and Communications, the Communications Specialist Senior will serve as a strategic partner in developing and executing high-level communications initiatives that advance the mission, reputation, and visibility of the Chambers College.

This role leads messaging, storytelling, and audience engagement strategies that showcase the College's academic excellence, student success, and faculty expertise. The position will oversee written communications across platforms-including web, news, speeches, and internal messaging-and collaborate with college leadership to ensure communications are aligned, consistent, and effective.

Along with writing and communications responsibilities, this position will hire and oversee a team of student interns that span our office's output. Additionally, the Communications Specialist Senior will manage our storytelling project management system. The Strategic Communications Office uses this system to manage our written communication, generate reports, and schedule communications. This position is expected to expand and improve upon this system as our communications evolve.

This position offers the opportunity to shape the voice of the Chambers College and strengthen relationships among students, alumni, faculty, staff, and industry partners-highlighting how Business Mountaineers drive innovation and economic growth across West Virginia and beyond.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays(staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year(for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range ofhealth insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking formore retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

• Develop and execute strategic communications plans that strengthen the Chambers College's brand and reputation among key audiences, including prospective and current students, alumni, donors, and partners.
• Lead storytelling efforts that highlight student success, faculty research, alumni achievements, and College impact through news stories, web features, newsletters, speeches, and marketing campaigns.
• Serve as the lead writer and editor for College-level communications, ensuring clear, consistent, and brand-aligned messaging across all channels.
• Collaborate with College leadership and internal stakeholders to craft strategic messaging and communications for major initiatives, announcements, and events.
• Guide content strategy for business.wvu.edu, ensuring it remains audience-focused, current, and reflective of the College's strengths and mission.
• Manage communications workflows-from concept through publication-working closely with creative and digital teams to deliver coordinated campaigns.
• Foster collaboration with WVU University Relations and other campus communicators to ensure alignment with University messaging and branding.

• Provide strategic communications counsel to departments, faculty, and administrators to support recruitment, engagement, and advancement priorities.

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or a related field required.
• A minimum of three (3) years of relevant experience in communications, writing, or marketing required.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated expertise in strategic communications planning and execution, especially within higher education.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills with a proven ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and effectively.
• Strong understanding of audience segmentation and message development across platforms (web, email, social, and print).
• Ability to translate institutional priorities into compelling narratives that drive engagement and support.
• Skilled in project management and collaboration, balancing multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams and providing strategic communications guidance to leadership.
• Familiarity with content management systems (CMS), email marketing tools, and analytics preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in communications, marketing, or a related field.
• Experience in higher education communications, particularly within a business or professional school setting.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Writing Samples

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.