Description:
The UI Addiction and Recovery Collaborative (UI ARC) in the Department of Psychiatry is seeking a Communications Coordinator to plan, develop, implement, and assess communication and outreach efforts that represent UI ARC people, programs, and activities using diverse materials and channels, including print, digital, broadcast, and social media; public events; displays and exhibitions; and public speech. This position will target communications to and build relationships with University of Iowa students, faculty, and staff; news media; alumni; current and prospective donors; policymakers; professional and industry partners; Iowa residents; and other external and internal audiences.
Characteristic Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop, edit, and publish copy, including web content, social media, newsletters, recruiting materials, event materials, program materials, etc.
- Create all branding, marketing, and promotional materials for UI ARC programming, including posters, flyers, postcards, conference materials, invitations, email messages, kiosk slides, webpages, etc.
- Design and manage digital media promotion, including creation of event web pages and posting of materials to the UI ARC website and UI ARC social media accounts.
- Curate and update graphics/ templates for the website.
- Ensure that all UI ARC media, materials, and messages are compliant with UI/UIHC brand standards and accessibility standards.
- Receive and process products and information you get from UI ARC researchers within a few days – plan what will be done with material (e.g., social media, website, local media, etc., in accordance with our “promoting researchers” checklist); communicate those decisions – and the timeline – to the sender.
- News stories – process per above; plus write, edit, and format news stories in a prompt way – no more than 5 working days from receipt. If more time is needed, keep researcher(s) and supervisor informed of reason and progress.
- Reports and briefs – aid project managers, evaluators, and faculty with project reports, policy memos, and other technical writing, meeting their deadlines.
- Maintain social media output calendar and ensure posts are completed correctly and by daily deadlines.
- Monitor social media engagement.
- Coordinate the creation and on-time distribution of UI ARC reports, including the Annual Report – and other reports, as assigned.
- Draft marketing materials and marketing plans for internal and external events.
- Act as community outreach contact for co-sponsored events, contact editors and others responding to mass emails, etc.
- Collaborate and liaise with Department, UIHC, and UI communications and public relations teams to ensure we are sharing information that aligns with the enterprises’ strategies and to have them help to share our messaging when appropriate.
- Event coordination – in collaboration with other team members, help manage all aspects of UI ARC internal and external events, including but not limited to, logistics and arrangements for guest speaker(s), managing guest lists and invitations, registration, itineraries, etc.
- Coordinate photo shoots/opportunities for the unit and for events – share as appropriate on social media and in other communications.
- Proactively find ways to promote the unit and our work to advance our reputation and highlight expertise in the field.
- Create event webpage(s) as needed, market and promote events to ensure excellent attendance.
- Help with contracting with vendors, including conference and facility sites, food services/catering, hotels, media and production, and transportation.
- Maintain and follow a communications checklist for every event to ensure no steps or follow-up are missed. Review these lists weekly with media and administrative team members. May provide support for outreach events.
- Keep track of all information (research products, news, etc.) for use in Psychiatry’s Newsworthy newsletter and UI ARC’s Annual Report.
- Report monthly social media analytics by the end of the first week of each month for the previous month. Contribute feedback/suggestions based on analytics.
- Be the liaison with the Department of Psychiatry’s communications team – share relevant UI ARC news.
- Ensure consistence and accuracy of content across multiple electronic platforms and in written materials. May assist in the coordination/preparation of strategic communications plans in support of a project, program, department, or college/unit.
- Contribute ideas and recommendations about message development and implementation tactics.
- Complete other duties as assigned.
Percent of Time: 50-100%
Staff Type: Specified Term, minimum of 12 months with the possibility of extension
Education Required
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Communications, Marketing, Journalism, or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.