Strategic Communication Writer

Salary/Position Classification

• $58,800+ Annual, Dependent on Experience, Exempt
• 40 hours per week
• This position will work onsite at UND Grand Forks, ND campus

Purpose of Position

Reporting to the Communications Director and working directly with other M&C Division teams, the Strategic Communications Writer is responsible for developing and implementing high-level communication strategies for the University. Strategic communications include, but are not limited to, presidential speech writing (quotes, scripts, statements, and campus communications), presentations, op-ed conceptualization and feature story development on Academic Affairs initiatives, research stories, and other strategic initiatives. The position will be in regular contact with the President, VP President for Academic Affairs/Provost, Chief of Staff, VP for Research & Economic Development, and M&C leadership. The position also is expected to produce content for UND Today, UND Discovery, U-Letter, Press Releases, UND Notifications, and Social Media. The Strategic Communications Writer also will maintain regular contact with assigned Colleges to keep apprised opportunities to create and amplify stories about UND and its people.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Coordinates with President, VP President for Academic Affairs/Provost, Chief of Staff, VP for Research & Economic Development, and M&C divisional leadership to define, inform, develop and amplify presidential-level strategic communications for the University.
  • Creates and implements presidential strategic communications in line with UND’s mission.
  • Develops strong relationships across the institution, from leadership to line staff within administrative and academic units to establish a sense of collaboration and rapport to support development of presidential strategic communications.
  • Maintains regular contact with the University and leaders to keep them appraised of status and outcomes of strategic communications.
  • Serves as a consultant on strategic communications matters for University and Divisional leaders.
  • Develops presidential-level communication strategies and products, including but not limited to presidential speech writing (quotes, scripts, statements, and campus communications), presentations, op-ed conceptualization and feature story development.
  • Attends University-level strategic planning meetings to provide input and to keep apprised of developments for future communication needs.
• Contributes day-to-day content for internal and external dissemination, including but not limited to UND Today, the University’s flagship news and information source. The position also writes, edits and helps distribute feature news stories and information that support the Division’s Communication Plan and the University’s over-arching strategic pursuits.
  • Proof, edit and rewrite copy to improve readability, and ensure focus, common threads/themes are maintained throughout stories -- and detect and correct errors in spelling, punctuation and syntax.
  • Adhere to and maintain correct use of Associated Press style in all writings; and verify facts, dates and statistics, using standard reference sources.
  • Maintain close and regular communication with College liaisons/Campus Communicators in assigned areas of campus responsibility or “beats.” Develop story or content ideas, maintaining balance between reader/audience appeal and strategic priorities and goals of the University.
  • Verify facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
  • Works with Unit leadership to coordinate content necessary for publication of internal and external publications, including photography, videography and design elements. 7. Confirm timely distribution of internal and external publications via multiple media channels, including web blogs, e-newsletters, social media, mass mails and news releases.
• Develops and implements communications strategies for the Division of Academic Affairs and the Office of the VP for Research & Economic Development in accordance with University priorities and mission.
  • Works with VP for Academic Affairs and the Office of Research & Economic Development to produce articles, feature stories and other informational content in support of the overall strategic initiatives of the University.
  • Coordinates with the Office of Research & Economic Development to conceptualize, execute and disseminate a regular e-newsletter highlighting the successes of University research, creative activity and strategic initiatives.
  • Provides photography support in support of coverage and amplification of UND research, creative activity and other strategic initiatives; and collaborates with M&C Divisional colleagues in Creative Services to provide photography/videography support, when needed.
  • Serves as a consultant on academic, research and creative activity communications for the VP for Academic Affairs/Provost, VP for Research & Economic Development, and M&C divisional leaders.
  • Attends regular touch-base planning meetings with Vice President for Research & Economic Development and/or designee, and the Associate Director of Communications to discuss research and creative activity communications.
  • Coordinates with Communications Director to develop monthly UND Discovery e-newsletter for national local, regional and national dissemination.
  • Holds periodic touch-base coordination sync meetings with the Division of Academic Affairs and Office of the VP for Research & Economic Development to provide and receive updates on ongoing strategic initiatives.
• Serves as a contributing member of the Division of Marketing & Communication.
  • Attends staff meetings, retreats, planning sessions, training and other meetings/events, as required.
  • Provides support and volunteers time at university functions, in accordance with Divisional goals.
  • Demonstrates spirit of volunteerism by assisting with Divisional and University events, functions that are not part of normally assigned tasks, responsibilities.
  • Performs other duties, as assigned. 

Required Competencies

• Ability to think strategically and to work closely with administrators and administrative teams across campus.
• Ability to transform initiatives into successful local, regional, national and international media coverage.
• Superior communications skills (written and verbal), including interpersonal, with the ability to develop strong relationships across the organization, from leadership to line staff.
• Ability to critically evaluate information and assess news value.
• Strong copy-editing skills and command of AP style.
• Flexibility for night and weekend work.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communication, Marketing, International Relations or other Liberal Arts field.
• Possesses at least one (1) year experience in public affairs, media relations, journalism, international relations, corporate communications, and/or related fields with experience writing and editing news and feature articles for professional publications
• Has developed multi-media journalistic projects and/or executed strategic public relations plans.
• Submits at least three pieces of relevant writing samples and/or other content.
• Successful completion of a Criminal History Background Check

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the US and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. This position does not support visa sponsorship for continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrates leadership in Journalism, Communication, Public Affairs, Marketing, International Relations or related field.
• Experience working in or with an array of communication formats (e.g. print, photography, digital and broadcast, Artificial Intelligence and Search-Engine Optimization tools).
• Possesses nimble thinking, detail-oriented analytical skills and strong writing abilities to frame complex issues and provide optimal solutions.
• Experience creating innovative news and feature content for a digital platform.
• Broad experience writing about liberal arts and sciences, in particular advances in the fields of energy exploration and environmental sustainability, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, space and aerospace research, and advances in biomedicine.
• Experience in executive-level speechwriting and strategic message development and analysis.
  Familiarity with Associated Press writing style.