Position Title:Communications and Engagement Specialist - Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE)

Job Group:Professional & Scientific

Required Minimum Qualifications:Bachelor’s degree and 2 years of related experience

Preferred Qualifications:• Bachelor's or advanced degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or related field.

• Demonstrated ability to follow brand standards, editorial, and style guidelines to plan and create a variety of content (printed, photo, video) for multiple platforms including printed publications, electronic newsletters, social media, websites, podcasts, etc.

• Experience in communications, marketing, and social media management.

• Experience with digital platforms (social media, website management).

• Experience with large-scale event planning and logistics.

• Experience with Canva or InDesign and other Adobe Creative Cloud applications.

• Experience working with various stakeholders such as industry or higher education partners, or experience in donor or alumni relations.

Job Description:

Summary

The Program for Women in Science and Engineering (WiSE) is seeking a Communications Specialist II to play a leading role in promoting WiSE. The Communications and Engagement Specialist will work collaboratively with WiSE staff to develop and enact marketing strategies and design materials that enhance the program’s visibility and attract students to WiSE outreach and undergraduate programming and resources. This role d evelops and disseminates creative content focused on telling meaningful, engaging stories about WiSE students, resources, and programs and ensures WiSE materials are accurate, interesting, and informative and meet readability, accessibility, brand, and style guidelines.

The Communications and Engagement Specialist will be responsible for ensuring there are regular, strategic communications with WiSE donors, corporate partners, and alumni. This person will plan and coordinate all aspects of donor visits and large-scale WiSE stakeholder events or celebrations (including the 40th Anniversary Celebration in 2026) so that WISE students have meaningful interactions with WiSE corporate partners, alumni, and donors.

The successful candidate will communicate effectively in oral, written, and visual formats; exhibit highly effective planning and organizational skills; work independently; and engage enthusiastically with WiSE students and staff as well as internal and external audiences. The ideal candidate is a creative, organized, and detail-oriented professional with a strong background in both communications and event planning and a passion for creating extraordinary experiences.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an on-going basis without sponsorship.

Example of Duties • Develops creative content through use of a variety of media, focused on telling meaningful and engaging stories about WiSE students, resources and programs.

• Composes, reviews, edits, and produces materials for distribution to target audiences. • Creates, updates, and maintains web content within the established University framework.

• Reviews and edits materials and communications to check for accuracy, readability, accessibility, and style guidelines.

• Develops and implements marketing and communication plans to recruit participants, engage stakeholders, and promote events.

• Plans, coordinates, and implements events, such as donor visits and large-scale celebrations.

• Oversees the development of event programming, including budget, arranging facilities, catering, rentals, day-of logistics, staffing, and presenters.

• Conducts required research and analysis to prepare reports that are accessible and informative for various stakeholders.

• Assists in cultivating and broadening alumni interest in the program.

• Supervises student workers. Level Guidelines• Intermediate-level position with solid professional and/or technical skills working under general supervision to achieve goals• Applies broad, working knowledge of the principles of the field to moderately complex, difficult, and varied problems and issues• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action and resolve problems• Responds to a broad range of inquiries and requests• May provide training and/or direction to lower-level staff• May lead projects of moderate scope and complexity• Provides guidance to students

Appointment Type:Regular

Number of Months Employed Per Year:12 Month Work Period

Time Type:Full time

Pay Grade:PS807

Application Instructions:

To apply for this position, please click on “Apply” and complete the Employment Application. Please be prepared to enter or attach the following:1) Resume/Curriculum Vitae2) Letter of Application/Cover LetterIf you have questions regarding this application process, please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll Free: 1-877-477-7485.Why Choose ISU?Iowa State Employees enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:• Retirement benefits including defined benefit and defined contribution plans• Generous vacation, holiday and sick time and leave plans• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)• Life insurance and long-term disability• Flexible Spending Accounts• Various voluntary benefits and discounts• Employee Assistance Program• Wellbeing program

Original Posting Date: November 21, 2024

Posting Close Date:December 2, 2024

Job Requisition Number:R15951

By focusing on the future and providing the best student experience possible, Iowa State attracts students and faculty who want to make a difference. With a comprehensive land-grant mission of education, research, extension and outreach, we produce scholars whose ideas change the world. And through Innovate at Iowa State , we provide innovative and entrepreneurial opportunities for students of all backgrounds. Located just 30 minutes north of Des Moines, the city of Ames was recently named one of the Top 10 cities in the U.S. for campus life and career opportunities.

Iowa State University is a welcoming, global, and culturally diverse community of students, faculty, and staff. Campus community members have a wide range of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to engaging with each other respectfully as outlined in the university's Principles of Community (https://www.iastate.edu/diversity-and-inclusion/principles-community) . Iowa State recognizes that diverse intellectual and philosophical perspectives are vital to innovation, critical thinking skills, and a dynamic academic community that fosters the land-grant ideals of putting science, technology, and human creativity to work.

All offers of employment, oral and written, are contingent upon the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by federal and state law, ISU policies/procedures, and may include the completion of a background check and/or a consumer credit check.

Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against. Inquiries can be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity, 2680 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, 515 294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu .

If you have questions about the application process please email employment@iastate.edu or call 515-294-4800 or Toll-Free at 1-877-477-7485 . Iowa State University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should email employment@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-4800 or Toll-Free: (877) 477-7485 . TTY users are welcome to use the Iowa Relay Service number by dialing 7-1-1 or (800) 735-2942 .

General ISU compensation information can be found on the University Human Resources (https://www.hr.iastate.edu/careers/compensation) website. Please note that this is only a list of ranges and individuals will be paid commensurate with qualifications.