Position Title - Digital Communications Coordinator

Classification - Full-time; non-exempt

Salary - $24.00 - $26.00 per hour

Position available - Immediately

Work location - In person at the WICHE Offices – Boulder, Colorado

The Position

The Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) is seeking a motivated, organized, and collaborative professional with excellent written and verbal communications skills, a can-do attitude and growth mindset, and a deep commitment to a mission-driven organization. Reporting directly to the Director of Communications, the Digital Communications Coordinator will work with WICHE staff and partners to support the goals of the WICHE’s strategic communication plan through web, email, social media, and other content services.

Organizational Responsibility

Reporting to the Director of Communications, the Digital Communications Coordinator will help manage and update WICHE’s digital communications channels, including but not limited to the website, email, intranet, and social media.

In this role, you will need to have both technical and creative skills to produce content that aligns with WICHE’s mission and overall communications strategy, as well as maintain the technology so the tools we use to communicate run effectively and efficiently. This includes WordPress and SharePoint web platforms, Salesforce and email campaign tools, and social media platforms. You will also need to have a thorough understanding of how to adapt and adopt new and emerging tools for both external and internal communications.

The successful candidate will have interest in, or proven experience, integrating content across multiple platforms when appropriate. You should also have interest in, or proven experience, using analytics tools to measure results, interpret metrics, generate reports, and make recommendations based on key findings to optimize and evolve our digital engagement efforts.

Duties and Responsibilities

Web content and management

• Serve as the in-house liaison for WordPress and SharePoint web platform management, as well as understand and promote web maintenance best practices for wiche.edu and the WICHE intranet

• Develop and update web content that is high-quality, user-friendly, and adheres to branding and style guidelines

• Understand or open to learning search engine optimization (SEO) strategies and web analytics tools

• Committed to website accessibility features (alternative text for images, appropriate header tags, careful use of colors, etc.)

• Understand or have an interest in UX/UI best practices

Email communications

• Serve as the in-house subject matter expert on email communications for external and internal audiences, assisting with questions, concerns, training, troubleshooting, and managing the email calendar across the organization

• Create and curate content for external e-newsletter, as well as manage and schedule email campaigns to promote annual reports, research publications, events, etc.

• Use email metrics to generate reports and develop email strategies based on data-driven decision-making

• Understand and adhere to email best practices (subject lines, preheader text, sender labels, email text layout, CTA buttons, personalization, unsubscribe options and footer text, link usage, etc.)

• Commit to learning and implementing emerging best practices for email communications, including improved accessibility and audience engagement

Social media content and management

• Create and coordinate social media content, including cross-organization collaboration to maintain relevant social media presence on existing and emerging platforms for optimal engagement with WICHE’s audiences

• Partner with external organizations to leverage WICHE’s relationships and develop engaging content

• Oversee organizational reputation, as well as newsworthy topics via online media monitoring tools, including Google Alerts

Project management and content creation

• Lead and manage select projects, including press releases and announcements, annual reports, flyers and handouts, etc.

• Write, edit, proofread, produce and distribute content

• Contribute to editorial style guidelines, visual branding, and other relevant documents

• Take initiative to learn and understand communications-based tools and platforms, such as Canva, Blissbook, media relations tools, etc., to aid in the ease of comprehension, access, and distribution of information to a variety of audiences

Internal communications

• Collaborate across internal horizontal departments (HR, IT, Accounting, and President’s Office) to communicate necessary information to staff and external partners as appropriate

• Collaborate with other organizational units to produce timely and relevant content, as well as support individual communication efforts and goals

• Assist with culture-strengthening activities and resources, including consideration for fully remote staff

Professionalism

• Demonstrate a commitment to WICHE’s vision, mission, and strategic priorities, as well as understand how WICHE Communications’ strategic goals support those

• Maintain collaborative, productive, and professional working relationships within WICHE and with our external partners

• Manage competing priorities with grace, attention to detail, and exceptional organizational skills

• Desire to learn and grow your communications skillset through trainings, workshops, conferences, and certificate programs

Position Specifications

Required:

• Undergraduate degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or work experience in such related fields

• Basic communications competency (writing, editing, proofing, sound editorial content judgement, branding, accuracy)

• Project management skills, including time management, resource allocation, planning, risk assessment, problem-solving, adaptability, and critical thinking

• Experience with managing an organization’s social media channels (LinkedIn and YouTube a plus)

Preferred:

• At least two to five years of experience working with online platforms, especially web and email

• Interest in and/or basic understanding of Google Analytics and SEO

• Experience managing and entering and updating data in an email database

• Experience with event support, graphic design, video, and/or photography is a bonus but not required.

Travel 
None required

About WICHE
Since 1953, the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) has been strengthening higher education, workforce development, and behavioral health throughout the region. As an interstate compact, WICHE partners with states, territories, and postsecondary institutions to share knowledge, create resources, and develop innovative solutions that address some of our society’s most pressing needs. From promoting high-quality, affordable postsecondary education to helping states get the most from their technology investments and addressingbehavioral health challenges, WICHE improves lives across the West through innovation, cooperation, resource sharing, and sound public policy.

Benefits
WICHE offers a competitive benefits package which includes medical insurance with generous employer contribution to health savings account (H.S.A.), dental, life, and disability insurance; flexible spending accounts (medical and dependent care); 403(b)retirement plan with employer match of 200% on employee contributions up to 5% after six full months of employment; and vacation accrual of four weeks per year, sick leave, paid holidays, and personal leave time.

 WICHE is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications by members of all underrepresented groups are encouraged.