NC State University Hiring for Communications Director for NC Sea Grant, NC Space Grant and NC Water Resources Research Institute at Raleigh, NC Full Time

Posting Number:

PG193084EP

Internal Recruitment :

No

Working Title:

Communications Director for NC Sea Grant, NC Space Grant and NC Water Resources Research Institute

Anticipated Hiring Range:

Commensurate With Experience

Work Schedule:

Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM- 5:00 PM

Job Location:

Raleigh, NC

Department :

NC Sea Grant, NC Space Grant and NC Water Resources Research Institute

About the Department:

North Carolina Sea Grant provides research, education and outreach opportunities relating to current issues affecting our coast and its communities. Since 1970, North Carolina Sea Grant has prided itself on being a valuable resource for scientists, educators, local officials, government agencies, coastal businesses and the public to find unbiased, scientifically sound information about coastal ecosystems and economies. Our initiatives touch a broad range of topics, including but not limited to: healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient coastal economies, and environmental literacy and workforce development. The state/federal partnership receives funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Sea Grant College Program. Learn more: nceseagrant.org.

North Carolina Space Grant is a federal/state partnership that supports National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) related science, technology, and engineering (STEM) opportunities to engage and inspire North Carolinians and to build a diverse future STEM workforce. Since 1991, NC Space Grant has supported opportunities for students, faculty, educators and the public to participate in space-related research, education and outreach programs. The program is part of NASA’s National Space Grant College Program and Fellowship Program. Learn more: ncspacegrant.org

North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute of the UNC System identifies and supports research to help resolve or address water resource quality and quantity issues and opportunities throughout the state and the Southeast region. Since 1965, WRRI has supported research, education and information-transfer activities related to water quality and quantity issues and research. The state/federal partnership includes funding from the U.S. Geological Survey’s national Water Resources Research Institutes Program. Learn more: wrri.ncsu.edu.

These three programs are all based at NC State University in Raleigh, and facilitate funding for millions of dollars of research, outreach and education programs each year across North Carolina. These investments promote discovery, learning, and awareness across the state, region, and the nation.

Essential Job Duties:

The Communication Director reports to the Executive Director of the three programs, and participates in all aspects of strategic communications – planning, program development and execution — as part of the combined management team, consisting of leadership of NC Sea Grant, NC Water Resources Research Institute and NC Space Grant.

The Communication Director has the primary responsibility for strategic vision, development, oversight and delivery of these three program’s diverse communication program portfolios, including reaching diverse audiences through inclusive and accessible information. This leadership position plays a critical role in communicating the research, outreach and educational efforts of the programs to audiences, including but not limited to academic, educators and students, governmental, business/industry, community leaders and residents. This role includes developing media relations plans and working with each team for implementation.

The Communication Director ensures that the products developed by the programs’ team members and collaborators are creative and consider past success and creative/emerging opportunities, and that they professionally written/produced and distributed through a number of avenues, such as: feature stories magazines, books, reports, online website(s) and apps, conference and symposium materials, videos and other multimedia products, news releases, and engaging posts on social media platforms. This position serves in a publisher’s role for Coastwatch, working with the magazine’s editor who handles content development and production for NC Sea Grant’s flagship publication which is provided online and in print. As part of the management team, the Communication Director will work closely with the management team and program team members to support delivery of robust federal and state reporting requirements, including required regular program evaluation needs.

The Communication Director is responsible for developing strategic communication planning for the overall team and supervising more specific plans for each program, in collaboration with communicators and management team, and considering input from other colleagues and the respective advisory boards. The position also provides regular evaluation of the success of the plans, and appropriately making adaptations to address emerging gaps and opportunities. The position will interact on a regular basis with diverse stakeholder groups to understand informational needs of existing and potential audiences, disseminate appropriate and accessible communication materials, and strengthen partnerships to support program missions, including seeking external funding as appropriate, to expand the scope and scale of science communications in the state, region and nation. The partnerships include strong relationships with colleagues from national funding partners and related state-based networks, including but not limited to communications professionals. Similarly, the Communications Director will develop strong networks within the state.

The Communications Director supervises four full-time communications professionals, as well as temporary and student interns on a regular basis. This includes work plans and regular reviews, team and individual meetings and ensuring professional development opportunities are available. This position will work closely with research, education, administration and outreach colleagues, to develop and support the missions and core principles for the three programs, including a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, justice and accessibility.

This position requires exemplary skills not only in communication products to meet varied audiences but also in program management, including budget development and tracking, data-driven planning and implementation, reporting and evaluation processes. This role provides leadership for all efforts related to communication priorities and needs within the programs.

Minimum Education and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree and three years of experience in the area of assignment, of which at least one is supervisory or in a lead-worker capacity; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Other Required Qualifications:

• sound analytical, management, supervisory, written and oral communication skills and experience.
• knowledge of the concepts and principles that undergird science communications for combined research and outreach programs,
• experience in engaging with and developing cooperative and collaborative partnerships across multiple networks and serving varied audiences.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master’s Degree in a science and/or communications discipline is preferred, with at least 10 years experience, including documented success in communication program development, grant management, team management/supervision, and program execution with the integration of research and outreach activities.

Required License(s) or Certification(s):

NC drivers license.

Valid NC Driver’s License required:

Yes

Commercial Driver’s License required:

No

Job Open Date:

12/18/2023

Anticipated Close Date:

Open Until Filled

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Contact Information for References
4. Work samples:

• An example of successful communications programming/content development
• An example of communications strategic planning

Position Number:

00060601

Position Type:

EHRA Non-Faculty

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week):

1.00

Appointment:

12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation – Adverse Weather:

Non Mandatory – Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation – Emergency Events:

Non Mandatory – Emergency Event

Department ID:

061501 – Sea Grant Program

AA/EEO:

NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-515-3148 to speak with a representative at the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity.

If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or [email protected].

Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.

NC 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.