Internal Communications Specialist

Internal Communications Specialist

• 538119
• Blacksburg, Virginia
• Fully Remote, Virginia
• Hybrid, Virginia
• Dean - Architecture
• Hourly Wage/Part-Time
• Architecture, Arts, and Design

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Job Description

The College of Architecture, Arts, and Design (AAD) seeks a part-time Internal Communications Specialist to support timely, consistent, and effective communication with college faculty and staff. Reporting to AAD's Director of Marketing and Communications, the specialist will have primary responsibility for producing and distributing regular faculty and staff newsletters and will provide limited support for other internal communications.

The position will gather, organize, write, edit, and distribute information from college leadership, academic schools, administrative units, and other contributors, helping faculty and staff stay informed about college news, activities, deadlines, resources, and operational information. The specialist will manage recurring newsletter production processes and use college and university communications platforms to ensure content is clear, accessible, timely, audience-appropriate, and aligned with college and university editorial and brand standards.

Critical areas of responsibility for this position include:

Newsletter Development and Management

• Manage the production and distribution of regular college newsletters for faculty and staff using Adobe Campaign.
• Collaborate with the Director of Marketing and Communications and other key stakeholders to establish newsletter format, content sections, frequency, workflow, and production schedules.
• Develop and maintain processes and tools for gathering newsletter content from college leadership, academic schools, administrative units, and other contributors.
• Coordinate with contributors to obtain complete and accurate information, clarify or refine submissions as needed, and keep newsletter production on schedule.
• Write, edit, proofread, and format newsletter content to ensure it is clear, concise, accurate, and appropriate for internal audiences.
• Gather and prepare photographs and other visual assets as needed for newsletter content.
• Build, format, test, and distribute newsletters using Adobe Campaign.
• Maintain production schedules and calendars, templates, content collection tools, and archives.
• Review basic newsletter analytics and identify opportunities to improve content, format, workflow, and timing.

Internal Communications Support

• Provide writing, editing, proofreading, formatting, and distribution support for selected college internal communications, such as announcements, informational emails, event communications, and other routine messages to faculty and staff.
• Gather and organize information from content owners and subject matter experts as needed to prepare assigned communications.
• Coordinate reviews and revisions for assigned communications and prepare approved materials for distribution.
• Adapt information for internal audiences and communication formats while maintaining consistent messaging, tone, and voice.
• Prepare and format PowerPoint slides and other presentation materials using supplied content and information, adapting materials as needed for clear, concise, and visually consistent communication.
• Provide additional internal communications support based on college priorities and available work hours, in consultation with the Director of Marketing and Communications.

Additionally, employees in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design are expected to demonstrate professional conduct, institutional citizenship, and core workplace competencies as essential elements of successful performance. These expectations align with both Virginia Tech's Principles of Community and the university's performance competency domains, spanning communication, engagement, professionalism, and teamwork.

AAD personnel are expected to act with integrity, treat others with dignity, civility, and respect, and contribute to an inclusive, collaborative, and service-oriented workplace.

Specifically, employees in the college are expected to:

• Communicate constructively.
• Adhere to applicable policies and procedures.
• Support the college and university mission.
• Use university resources responsibly.
• Exercise sound judgment.
• Accept accountability for decisions and outcomes.
• Collaborate effectively.
• Remain open to feedback, learning, and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated excellence in written communication skills, including developing, proofreading, and editing content.
• Demonstrated experience managing newsletters, email communications, or other recurring digital communications from content collection through production and distribution.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating communications projects, schedules, and deadlines and following assignments through to completion.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with email marketing, newsletter, or digital communications platforms.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with Microsoft Office applications and collaborative productivity tools such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint, or comparable systems.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage priorities, and meet established deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills and demonstrated ability to work effectively with colleagues across roles and areas of responsibility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience with internal or employee communications, particularly in higher education or a similarly complex organization.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with Adobe Campaign.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience developing and managing recurring newsletters.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience with AP style, editorial style guides, and organizational brand standards.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience preparing and formatting visual assets for digital communications.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and experience using AI as a tool to improve effectiveness and efficiency by assisting with tasks such as formatting content, drafting and editing text, and ensuring adherence to university and AP style.

Pay Band

3

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt: Eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

$24-25/hour

Hours per week

20, hours will vary

Review Date

October 19, 2026

Application Materials

Interested applicants are to submit a current resume, letter of interest, and an original writing sample of 300 words or less.

Additional Information

This is a part-time role based in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design. The schedule may include a combination of regular weekly hours and flexibility around key communication cycles, leadership meetings, deadlines, or college events. Hybrid or remote work may be considered.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Erin Kowtko at erink23@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

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