Academic Communications Manager

Posting Details

Position Information

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and must maintain authorization throughout employment. This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

This position is contingent upon the availability of sufficient funding.

Position Title Academic Communications Manager Position Summary

The Academic Communications Manager serves as the primary storyteller for Spelman College's intellectual ecosystem. This role is dedicated to elevating the College's reputation as a premier liberal arts institution by amplifying the voices of its world-class faculty and pioneering students. By bridging the gap between complex academic research and compelling public narrative, the Communications Manager will highlight Spelman's unique interdisciplinary approach and its commitment to excellence in a technology-driven world.

The ideal candidate is a strategist and versatile creator who can navigate both internal academic circles and external media landscapes to position Spelman faculty as global thought leaders and Spelman students as the next generation of innovators.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Storytelling & Content Creation

• Identify, research, and produce high-impact features on Spelman faculty, focusing on their research, pedagogy, and contributions to global discourse.
• Craft compelling stories that demonstrate how Spelman integrates the arts, humanities, and sciences to solve modern challenges.
• Write op-eds, develop talking points, and collaborate with the Media Relations team to secure media placements for faculty to establish them as subject matter experts in their respective fields.
• Document the journeys of students who are leveraging technology and liberal arts foundations to disrupt industries and lead in the digital age

Strategic Storytelling & Content Creation

• Identify, research, and produce high-impact features on Spelman faculty, focusing on their research, pedagogy, and contributions to global discourse.
• Craft compelling stories that demonstrate how Spelman integrates the arts, humanities, and sciences to solve modern challenges.
• Write op-eds, develop talking points, and collaborate with the Media Relations team to secure media placements for faculty to establish them as subject matter experts in their respective fields.

Brand Advocacy & Impact

• Serve as the primary communications partner for the Provost's Office, Department Chairs, and Program Directors to ensure a steady pipeline of academic news.
• Ensure all academic communications reinforce Spelman's standing as a top-ranked liberal arts college and a leader in Black excellence.
• Monitor the reach and impact of academic storytelling, using analytics to refine strategies and increase the visibility of the Spelman brand in academic

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 5-7 years of in communications, preferably in higher education, research institutions, or mission-driven organizations.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with a demonstrated ability to craft compelling academic narratives for varied audiences.
• Strong understanding of academic culture and the ability to engage with scholars and academic leaders.
• Demonstrated experience in content strategy, campaign planning, and multi-channel content development.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, collaborate across departments, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and cultural competence in working with diverse populations and perspectives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience supporting communications at a higher education institution.
• Familiarity with academic communications, including research promotion, faculty media training, and storytelling for impact.

Certifications, Licenses, Restrictions

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Public Relations, or a related field.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to: use hands to handle office supplies, operate computer and other office equipment, talk, sit and hear. The employee is frequently required to: walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to: stand, climb or balance, stoop or kneel, and lift and/or move up to 15 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include the ability to adjust focus.

Shift Days % Travel Required 1% - 25% Full Time/Part Time Work Location/Schedule: This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement. FLSA Exempt Number of Vacancies 1 Anticipated Candidate Start Date Position End Date

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number SC0911P Posting Open Date 07/20/2026 Posting Closing Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicants EEO Statement

Spelman College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are a smoke-free campus.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Please upload one writing sample that demonstrates your professional writing ability. The sample should be previously published work and may include an article, press release, newsletter, web content, or similar material. Please indicate where and when the work was published and briefly describe your role in developing the content.

(Open Ended Question)

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

• Resume
• Writing Sample

Optional Documents

• Certificates, Licenses, and/ or Registrations
• Certification (s)