Strategic Communications Specialist

A global higher education leader in innovative teaching, research and public service, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill consistently ranks as one of the nation's top public universities. Known for its beautiful campus, world-class medical care, commitment to the arts and top athletic programs, Carolina is an ideal place to teach, work and learn.

One of the best college towns and best places to live in the United States, Chapel Hill has diverse social, cultural, recreation and professional opportunities that span the campus and community.

University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package, paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

The North Carolina Collaboratory at UNC-Chapel Hill disseminates the policy and research expertise of the University for practical use by state and local government. A collaboratory is a center without walls in which researchers can perform their research without regard to physical location, interacting with colleagues, accessing instrumentation, sharing data and computational resources and accessing information in digital libraries in a collaborative manner.

The Strategic Communications Specialist executes the Collaboratory's external engagement strategy, ensuring that the impact of research is visible and accessible to diverse audiences through digital platforms, targeted email outreach, and proactive media engagement.

This position combines strategic storytelling with digital engagement, email strategy, audience targeting, and media relations to produce written and visual content that translates complex research into clear, compelling narratives for policymakers, partners, and the public. Reporting to the Director of External Impact & Strategic Communications, the Specialist drives the Collaboratory's external engagement by developing and managing social media strategies, executing targeted email campaigns, and building media relationships to secure coverage and coordinate responses. This position also creates accessible research-based content for key stakeholders, including one pagers, press releases, presentations, articles, and talking points.

Additionally, the Specialist uses analytics to understand and grow digital audiences, ensuring that content reaches the right stakeholders at the right time. This position also supports academic partnerships and brand development by identifying priority conferences, events, and awards that elevate the Collaboratory's work.

Established by the North Carolina General Assembly in 2016, the Collaboratory connects UNC System research expertise with the practical needs of policymakers and communities. It conducts both directed and discretionary research across areas such as natural resource management, environmental quality, and public health, managing more than 250 active projects supported by over $250 million in appropriations. The Strategic Communications Specialist amplifies the institutional voice, visibility, and reputation of the Collaboratory as a trusted leader in science and policy.

Writing & Strategic Content Development:
Craft clear, compelling content that translates complex research into accessible narratives for policymakers, partners, and the public. Use strategic storytelling and audience engagement to elevate the Collaboratory's visibility and impact. Translate technical findings into approachable messaging and written materials. Conduct stakeholder interviews to ensure accuracy and clarity for non-expert audiences.

Social Media Development & Audience Growth:
Lead the Collaboratory's social media strategy by creating timely, engaging content. Use data driven insights to grow a digital presence, expand reach, increase engagement, and elevate awareness through consistent, audience focused storytelling. Develop and implement platform specific strategies, analyze performance metrics to optimize visibility, and monitor news and legislative activity to identify timely opportunities to highlight the Collaboratory's work.

Email Strategy, Writing & Audience Targeting:
Manage the writing, editing, and strategic distribution of newsletters, press releases, media advisories, and stakeholder updates. Oversee the email platform, curate and organize stakeholder lists, and ensure messages reach target audiences effectively.

Media Relations:
Cultivate and manage relationships with reporters and media outlets to ensure accurate and visible coverage of the Collaboratory's work. Conduct proactive media outreach, press management, respond quickly to media inquiries, maintain consistent messaging, and monitor media coverage to position the Collaboratory as a trusted resource for journalists covering research, policy, and public-interest issues.

Academic Partnerships & Brand Development:
Engage academic and research communities to elevate the Collaboratory's reputation. Identify conference opportunities, strengthen strategic positioning, amplify key partnerships, and pursue awards that highlight research impact. Facilitate principal investigator (PI) training to support effective representation of the Collaboratory's work.

Master's or Bachelor's and 0-2 years' experience; or will accept a combination of related education and experience in substitution.

Required Qualifications:
-Ability to write and edit across multiple formats (e.g., articles, newsletters, press releases, talking points, email campaigns, media statements).
-Proficiency in managing social media platforms (Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) and related analytics tools.
-Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across diverse stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers, academic partners, and members of the media.

Required Competencies:
-Ability to translate complex research into clear, compelling written content for diverse audiences through written, digital, email, and media channels.
-Strategic storytelling and campaign development skills, including proactive media relations and targeted email outreach.
-Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
-Ability to analyze audience data and apply insights to refine messaging and boost engagement across social, email, and earned media channels.
-Attention to detail and commitment to brand consistency across written, digital, email, media, and event-based communications.

Required Experience:
-Professional communications experience spanning writing, digital, and media-focused work.
-Proven ability to develop and execute integrated communications campaigns (email, social, media, stakeholder engagement) that increase visibility and advance organizational goals.
-Experience managing end-to-end campaigns and media engagement, including content creation, posting, analytics, and optimization.
-Demonstrated success collaborating with cross-functional teams and preparing leadership for external engagements.

Preferred Qualifications:
-Demonstrated training or certification in digital marketing, analytics, email marketing platforms, media relations, or social media management tools.
-Familiarity with state government, legislative processes, or higher education systems.
-Ability to develop and refine email strategies, including audience segmentation, list management, and campaign testing.
-Experience preparing spokespeople or leadership for media engagement, including drafting press statements or coordinating interviews.
-Strong writing and editing skills for executive communications, op-eds, or other high-visibility materials.

Preferred Competencies:
-Strategic ability to anticipate communications opportunities and proactively position the organization through media engagement and targeted email outreach.
-Ability to write and tailor messaging for policymakers, legislators, academic audiences, and media outlets.
-Working knowledge of SEO, content strategy, digital advertising, and email and audience targeting.
-Ability to measure communications ROI and present data-driven insights on email and media outreach performance.

Preferred Experience:
-Progressively responsible communications experience, ideally within higher education, nonprofit, or government settings.
-Experience building and managing partnerships with external stakeholders such as universities, research consortia, government agencies, and media contacts.
-Proven track record of securing media coverage and strong email engagement successes that elevate organizational visibility.
-Experience developing training resources or onboarding materials for faculty, researchers, external collaborators or staff involved in media or email communications.

Please include 2-3 writing samples in the "Documents needed to Apply" section of your application.

Candidates advancing beyond the initial interview may be asked to complete a brief skills assessment related to the responsibilities of the position.

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.