Temporary Public Communication Specialist III - STEPS4GROWTH

As a Public Communication Specialist III - Steps4Growth for Steps4Growth, a 23.7 million grant funded by the Economic Development Administration ( EDA), you will play a crucial role in crafting and executing communication strategies to enhance our brand image, engage with stakeholders, and promote our products/services to participants, educational partners and industry partners. You will write for the program's website and social media pages including Linked In. You will also assist in crafting media talking points and report narratives as needed. It may require travel to events across North Carolina to be able to write articles and take photographs. You will be responsible for ensuring all marketing materials to be published are approved by the proper channels and have requisite releases for identifiable persons in published materials. You will be responsible for developing the brand identity guidelines of the STEPs4GROWTH program and ensuring all brand identity guidelines for NC A&T State University are adhered to in relation to the program.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Content Creation: Develop compelling written and visual content for various communication channels, including websites, social media, press releases, and marketing collateral.
2. Social Media Management: Manage and grow our social media presence by creating and scheduling posts, responding to comments, and analyzing engagement metrics.
3. Media Relations: Cultivate and maintain relationships with journalists, bloggers, and influencers to secure media coverage and mentions for the organization.
4. Internal Communication: Assist in developing and executing internal communication strategies to ensure employees are informed, engaged, and aligned with company goals.
5. Public Relations: Draft press releases, statements, and other materials to communicate key messages to the media and the public.
6. Event Promotion: Promote company events, webinars, and conferences through various communication channels to increase attendance and engagement.
7. Brand Management: Uphold and reinforce our brand identity across all communication materials and platforms.
8. Market Research: Stay up-to-date with industry trends, competitors, and emerging communication tools to provide recommendations for improvement.
9. Analytics and Reporting: Monitor and analyze the effectiveness of communication strategies using analytics tools and make data-driven recommendations for improvement.

Communication: 60%
* Plans, develops, manages, and implements a cohesive STEPs4GROWTH strategic brand according to NC A&T, University Relations and the College of Engineering Communication standards & policies.
* Plans, develops, manages, and implements communication plan with KPIs related to STEPs4GROWTH outreach, community engagement, and workforce development activities and events.
* Manages STEPs4GROWTH marketing, communication, and event materials and content.
* Travels and represents as needed in meetings with stakeholders, including state and federal agencies, industrial partners, sub awardees and other collaborators.
* Researches, collects, and analyzes data to help devise strategies for the best outreach and communications practices
* Identifies outreach opportunities by maintaining active communication with other businesses and our community.
* Attends meetings to stay abreast of upcoming activities and to support as necessary to ensure compliance with NC A&T, federal, and grant policies.
* Identifies areas of improvements based on performance metrics and develops plans to adjust as needed.
Administrative:
Percentage of Time: 25%
Manages STEPs4GROWTH events, travel, and honoraria for students, visitors, and advisory board members.
Ensures Procurement activities related to marketing, communications and activities are compliant with Federal grant and NC A&T guidelines. Disseminates STEPs4GROWTH content and materials.
Reviews and responds to incoming media requests and routes properly.
Provides communication status reports to Director and PI
Data/Information Management: 15%
* Creates, maintains, and updates a list of media contacts and fosters STEPs4GROWTH relationships.
* Creates, collects, and analyzes graphs, charts, and other data visualizations within prescribed timeframes for grant reports, proposals, and stakeholder meetings.
* Creates and maintains a visual asset library of photographs and video materials.
* Ensures the collection and storage of any required release forms for media

PAs a Public Communication Specialist III - Steps4Growth for Steps4Growth, a 23.7 million grant funded by the Economic Development Administration ( EDA), you will play a crucial role in crafting and executing communication strategies to enhance our brand image, engage with stakeholders, and promote our products/services to participants, educational partners and industry partners. You will write for the program's website and social media pages including Linked In. You will also assist in crafting media talking points and report narratives as needed. It may require travel to events across North Carolina to be able to write articles and take photographs. You will be responsible for ensuring all marketing materials to be published are approved by the proper channels and have requisite releases for identifiable persons in published materials. You will be responsible for developing the brand identity guidelines of the STEPs4GROWTH program and ensuring all brand identity guidelines for NC A&T State University are adhered to in relation to the program.

Bachelor's Degree in English, Communications, Business Administration or related area and 3-5 years relevant experience & training. All degrees must be received from properly accredited institutions.
* Proven work experience in digital communication and graphic design tools and software
* Demonstrated skills in communications, marketing, community outreach or related fields.
* Experience curating content for social media and creating original online and printed marketing material/collateral.
* Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
* Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Years of Experience, Skills, Training & Education: Master's Degree in English, Communications, Business Administration or related area or combination of Bachelor's and 5-10 years relevant experience & training. All degrees must be received from properly accredited institutions. Clean Energy or Federal Grant program experience a plus.
* Proven experience in digital communication and graphic design tools and software
* Demonstrated skills in communications, marketing, community outreach or related fields.
* Proficiency in curating social media creation, proven experience in the management of digital marketing tools for a minimum of 5 years.
* Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
* Experience running a successful marketing campaign.
* Familiarity with industry-specific software and tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Google Analytics, etc...) is a plus.

N/A

You must complete and submit an electronic application for employment to be considered. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing an electronic application. Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD 214 form. Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty with your application during the process of applying to the job posting. Final candidates are subject to criminal and sex offender background checks. North Carolina A&T State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. North Carolina A&T State University is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. No one who applies or seeks employment will be denied admission to or employment at North Carolina A&T State University on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disabling condition, veteran status, political affiliation, genetic information or sexual orientation and sexual identity.