Widener University is currently seeking a Communications Manager for Commonwealth Law School in Harrisburg, PA. Reporting to the Executive Director of University Communications, this role is a member of the University Relations department supporting the entire university. The Communications Manager is responsible for increasing the visibility and reputation of the law school with the public, prospective students, and the higher education community through brand storytelling, media relations, and content development across traditional, digital, and emerging platforms. As one of seven schools and colleges that make up Widener University, Commonwealth Law consists of 45 faculty and 300 students.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (including, but not limited to):

Essential duties:

• Researching and writing law school news and feature story content suitable for the law school website, social media messaging, Widener Insider, and alumni magazine. Storytelling should complement and amplify the university brand.
• Updating website content on a regular basis and ensuring it remains consistent with law school objectives and the university brand, and keeping website school-level pages and news and events up to date.
• Planning, creating and posting all content to the law school's main social media channels, and responding to messages as needed. Tracking message performance metrics and monitoring what is said about the law school on social media.
• Promoting and attending law school events, and developing content and photography from them that can be shared across law school communication platforms and with the news media.
• Developing and disseminating press releases, media advisories, OPED pieces, student-written columns and story pitches that will increase exposure of the law school, its signature programs and its faculty expertise through proactive and reactive outreach efforts to the regional and national news media. Representing the law school in public relations and media requests.
• Writing and distributing the weekly "In the Loop" newsletter to the Widener Law Commonwealth community.
• Communicating with the web liaison staff person on website technology issues as needs for repairs and/or edits arise.
• Scheduling, planning and attending law school Social Media Editorial Committee meetings.
• Providing communications counsel to the alumni relations team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Secondary responsibilities:

• Providing expertise to law school admissions and university marketing teams on communication initiatives that support recruitment efforts by creating content, telling stories and other support to support the brand.
• Working with academic and administrative departments to develop new, and strengthen existing approaches and content to raise and increase awareness of special events to maximize their appeal to prospective students and news media as part of strategic public relations initiatives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (education/training and experience required):

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, or related field
• Minimum three years of public relations, marketing, journalism or communications . A combination of experience and education may be considered.
• Expert writer and editor with demonstrated skills in communicating complex information in a clear, creative manner.
• Excellent communicator with strong interpersonal skills; able to engage stakeholders at all levels during meetings and presentations.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks on deadline.
• Experience with or exposure to being sole point of contact within office working without direct on-site supervision.
• Demonstrated creative approach to storytelling.
• Experience using Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for on-brand strategic
• Ability to shoot and edit digital photography.

Preferred:

• Proficiency in design and publishing software. Open to learning and adopting new software.
• Ability to shoot and edit .
• Previous website content maintenance experience.
• Understanding of Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager.
• Knowledge of SEO practices.
• Higher education experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND/OR UNUSUAL HOURS:

• Position requires some evening and weekend assignments.
• Moderate amount of standing, walking, climbing stairs, bending and kneeling.
• Occasional travel between university campuses required.
• Must have a valid driver's license and access to a vehicle.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. Widener University is committed to fostering an inclusive community in which faculty, staff, and students from a variety of backgrounds, cultures, and personal experiences are welcomed and can thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunities for all persons without regard to age, color, national origin, race, religion, disability, veteran status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, or status as a protected veteran.

Some positions may be eligible for a hybrid or remote work arrangement that may include a partially or fully remote work location, consistent with Widener's Flexible Work policy.

Widener University, an independent, metropolitan, doctoral-intensive university, connects curricula to social issues through civic engagement. Dynamic teaching, active scholarship, personal attention and experiential learning are key components of the Widener Experience. Located in Chester, PA, Widener's main campus is nestled between Philadelphia, PA and Wilmington, DE, with Law Schools located in both Harrisburg and Wilmington. For more information about the university, please visit our website at

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