Job Summary:
At the Wisconsin Energy Institute (WEI), we envision a world powered by sustainable and reliable energy that is affordable and accessible to everyone. As the home of collaborative energy research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, we connect and empower researchers to help solve one of the world’s greatest challenges: developing sustainable alternatives to meet society’s ever-growing need for power, fuels, and chemicals. WEI is home to the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC), whose mission is to create biofuels and bioproducts that are economically viable and environmentally sustainable.
We are looking for a candidate who is passionate about science and skilled at digital storytelling. As the Digital and Social Media Specialist, you will join a creative and collaborative team of communicators.
In this position, you will be responsible for managing the institute’s social media and newsletter platforms. You will develop effective marketing plans to promote outreach events and workshops to diverse audiences. You will craft compelling digital communication campaigns, utilizing research and analytics to understand your audience and create engaging content. We are looking for an innovative individual who finds new ways to connect with both internal and external audiences online.
You will identify engaging stories and tell them through podcasts, video, text, and other mediums. You will also work with other team members to write and edit content for internal and external communications and help develop marketing materials. This position offers a unique opportunity for professional growth, empowering the successful candidate to continuously learn and apply new skills in a dynamic and innovative work environment.
We are looking for someone who is curious about things they don’t understand and passionate about sharing people-centered stories of discovery and wonder. If that describes you and you’re excited about the job and joining our team, we would love to see your application.
Responsibilities: Develops and drafts communication content and assists in the execution of the communications strategy in support of unit communication goals.
- 10% Monitors reach and effectiveness of communication campaigns, projects, and initiatives
- 25% Plans editorial content according to established goals and objects
- 5% Communicates with stakeholders to verify requests and identify editorial resources
- 30% Writes, edits, and publishes content for various communication projects and marketing platforms to align with strategic initiatives and established communication campaigns
- 25% Provides project management and execution of communications programs, initiatives, and tactical plans
- 5% Participates in collaborative activities to promote an equitable, diverse, and inclusive WEI community and foster a culture that welcomes, celebrates, and supports everyone
Institutional Statement on Diversity:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion
Education:
Preferred
Bachelor’s Degree
Preference will be given to candidates with a background in journalism, public relations, or scientific research
Qualifications:
Required:
– A minimum of one year experience in communications/marketing, or direct academic training in communications.
– Experience managing social media channels, including creating content, tracking analytics, and building an audience.
Preferred:
– Experience using social media and newsletters to execute a marketing and communications strategy, using analytics to identify meaningful trends and using those insights to inform campaign recommendations and decisions.
– Experience using marketing automation and email marketing software to build and distribute email newsletters, manage audiences, and track and report analytics.
– Experience with telling engaging stories through audio podcasts, video, or photography.
– Experience writing and editing for digital platforms such as social media, email newsletters, and websites. This includes a variety of formats including press releases, profiles, feature stories, and Q&As, and the willingness to adapt.
– Experience with varied communications tools, including graphic design, marketing, and website content management, with a proven ability to quickly learn new skills. Tools can include, but are not limited to: Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, Eloqua, Buffer, Google Analytics, Drupal, WordPress.
– Familiarity with accessibility principles and experience creating accessible digital content.
– Excellent time management, project management, and organizational skills, and the ability to handle multiple projects in a deadline-driven, detail-oriented environment.
– Self-motivated and able to work independently while maintaining attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
– Curiosity and a passion for science and learning.
– Demonstrated success advancing equity, diversity and inclusion with an ability to communicate in a culturally-sensitive manner with individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds.
– Commitment to the goals and missions of the Wisconsin Energy Institute, UW-Madison, and higher education.
Work Type:
Full or Part Time: 80% – 100%
This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.
Appointment Type, Duration:
Ongoing/Renewable
Salary:
Minimum $51,700 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
Salary is negotiable and will be based on experience and skills. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits.
Additional Information:
The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. University sponsorship is not available for this position.
The selected candidate will be required to pass an initial criminal background check.
How to Apply:
To apply for this position, please click on the “Apply Now” button. You will be required to upload a resume and cover letter outlining relevant qualifications and experience. If selected for an interview, you will be asked to supply three references, which include a current supervisor, as well as a portfolio that may contain links or copies of work. References will not be contacted until a finalist has been selected.
Don’t meet every single preferred qualification mentioned? Studies have shown that cisgender women, trans individuals, and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply. You may be the candidate that we are looking for!
Contact:
Heather Heimbecker
hheimbecker@wisc.edu
608-890-2286
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Official Title:
Communications Specialist(CM004)
Department(s):
A34-VCRGE/WI ENERGY INSTITUTE
Employment Class:
Academic Staff-Renewable
Job Number:
285300-AS