Job Description - Communications Specialist (2500702)
Required Qualifications (as evidenced by an attached resume):
Bachelor’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher). Three (3) years of full-time experience working in journalism, communications, marketing, or public relations.
*Candidates will be requested to submit three (3) writing samples to be considered for the position.
Preferred Qualifications:
Additional years (4+) of full-time experience working in journalism, communications, marketing, or public relations. Experience working in higher education, a medical center, a not-for-profit organization, or a government entity. Experience writing internal communications, including communications for organizational leadership. Project management experience.
Brief Description of Duties:
The Communications Specialist, reporting to the Executive Communications Officer, will utilize excellent writing and editing skills to assist in researching and developing content for Stony Brook University’s Office of the President, including external messaging, executive correspondence, briefing materials, speeches, video scripts, campus-wide messaging, and other deliverables that align with Stony Brook University’s mission, vision, and priorities. This role supports the delivery of timely, consistent messaging across multiple communication channels and in coordination with other campus community stakeholders. The Communications Specialist will provide project management support for executive writing projects, initiatives, and processes. The Communications Specialist will manage multiple projects, multi-task, and respond effectively under pressure. Strong written, interpersonal, and verbal communication skills are required. The role involves careful planning, research, and execution of communications, working collaboratively across the university while maintaining confidentiality and discretion. The position demands accuracy, critical thinking, problem-solving, and the ability to work independently.
- Writing/Editing: Support execution of the messaging agenda of the President, maintaining a thorough understanding of institutional priorities and creating an appropriate cadence of deliverables. This includes research, project management, writing/editing support for presidential messages, video scripts, talking points, speeches, briefing materials, and other presidential communications and initiatives.
- Assist Executive Communications Officer in planning, implementing, and assessing communications materials in support of presidential communications, including attending meetings and serving as a liaison and representative as needed.
- Project and Systems Management: This role will manage and maintain review and distribution processes to ensure efficient and strategic cadence of presidential messaging, analyze and implement process improvements as needed, and manage/maintain an information library (print and online) that provides reference materials to support current and future presidential messaging development.
- Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and departmental mission.
Special Notes:
This is a full-time appointment. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.
In addition to the employee's base salary, this position is eligible for $3,400 UUP annual location pay, paid biweekly.
For this position, we are unable to sponsor candidates for work visas.
Resume/CV and cover letter should be included with the online application.
Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.
If you need a disability-related accommodation, please call the university Office of Equity and Access (OEA) at (631) 632-6280 or visit OEA.
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