Research Communications Specialist

Position Title: Research Communications Specialist

Department: 9040|Energy Institute

Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Director of the DOE Louisiana Regional Test Center for Emerging Solar Technologies (LA RTC) at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, this position will convey the excitement of creativity, the quest for new knowledge, and the tangible benefits of research conducted by faculty, students, and staff affiliated with the LA RTC. The individual will take a lead role in communicating the public impact of the center’s research, innovation, and economic development activities, which result in improving the lives and livelihoods of the people of Louisiana and beyond. Through compelling narrative and articulate communications, this position will vividly demonstrate the ways in which the LA RTC’s researchers discover new knowledge, advance science and technology, enhance creativity and our understanding of the human condition, preserve and promote our culture, engage the local community, strengthen the regional economy, and address grand global challenges.

The position will support the University to accomplish its mission as a public university, and its strategic goal of transitioning into a Carnegie R1 research university. According to the 2020 NSF Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) survey, the University has reported $164 million in R&D expenditures, an increase from $62 million in annual R&D expenditures in FY 2013. Over the past 6 years, UL Lafayette has taken tremendous strides in every measure of research and innovation that continue to galvanize its transition into an R1 research university.

This position will develop and implement a comprehensive marketing, communications, and public relations program for the LA RTC, working in close concert with the University’s Office of Communications and Marketing (OCM) to ensure alignment with the overarching communications strategy of the university as well as compliance with marketing, branding, and communications standards established by OCM. This individual is primarily responsible for developing and disseminating research communications and marketing materials that translate complex research results in a simple, effective, and impactful manner to target audiences. These publications are the primary informational resources for funding agencies, research collaborators within and outside of the institution, business and industry leaders, elected officials, alumni, donors, as well as community constituencies.

Responsibilities
Content Development:

• Plans, writes, edits, and proofs content for publications, digital tools, websites, collateral, speeches, and press releases.
• Serve as primary editor for communications content.
• Establishes and manages workflow for requesting, creating, editing, publishing, and retiring content.
• Develops standards, systems and best practices for content creation and maintenance.
• Works collaboratively with communications team, directors, and leadership to identify content to effectively attract and retain external stakeholders.
• Coordinates and manages assets in photography, video, and audio support.
• Assists with social media strategy, and editorial calendar maintenance.

Tracks and reports all results, trends, and statistics as required.

Media Relations:

• Builds relationships with key media contacts and identify opportunities to proactively pitch brand and corporate stories, as appropriate.
• Drives audience awareness and engagement across marketing channels.
• Develops and maintains media lists and relationships.
• Leads the development, implementation, and measurement of external and internal media-based communication plans.

Collaboration with the Office of Communications and Marketing:

• Follows the university’s overarching communications strategy, standards, governance, and processes established by OCM.
• Coordinates content with the OCM’s content strategy team and develops content consistent with the University brand approach.
• Supports the OCM’s media relations team's earned media strategy specific to the LA RTC, identify newsworthy pitch angles, and bring opportunities to completion.
• Creates and shares stories about the LA RTC and the accomplishments of faculty and student researchers locally, statewide, nationally and internationally, in coordination with the OCM.
• Collaborates with OCM to strengthen University-wide research advancement goals.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field (Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, Journalism, English, or a related field).
• Three (3) plus years of public relations, copywriting/editorial experience.
• Experience in executive speechwriting, talking points/executive briefs, and media relations.

Skills, Abilities, Etc.:

• Exceptional writing, editing and verbal communication skills.
• Strong relationship building, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office suite, web design, leading-edge technologies, and analytics.

Job Ad# (req4350)