Communications Specialist

The Communications Specialist serves as a key member of the School of Music's marketing and communications operation. Reporting to the Marketing and Communications Manager, this position supports the development and execution of communications strategies that promote the School's academic programs, faculty, students, ensembles, performances, events, achievements and community engagement.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on communications professional with experience across multiple areas of content production. The position requires a working knowledge of photography, videography, graphic design, social media management, digital content creation, interviewing, editing and event logistics.

The Communications Specialist will be expected to work independently on assigned projects while collaborating closely with the Marketing and Communications Manager, faculty, staff, students and other University partners.

This position will also assist with the oversight of student Federal Work-Study employees, including assigning tasks, providing direction, reviewing work and helping students develop professional skills related to marketing and communications.

The successful candidate will bring creativity, initiative and strong organizational skills to the role and will help the School of Music achieve established marketing and communications goals and objectives.

Responsibilities

Marketing & Communications

• Assist the Marketing and Communications Manager with developing and executing integrated marketing and communications strategies.
• Support marketing campaigns for concerts, performances, academic programs, recruitment initiatives, special events and School of Music programs.
• Develop written content for websites, social media, email marketing, newsletters, promotional materials and other communications.
• Assist with public relations and media outreach efforts.
• Identify opportunities to promote faculty, students, alumni, ensembles, guest artists, performances, programs and School achievements.
• Help maintain consistent messaging and branding across communications channels.
• Assist the Marketing and Communications Manager in achieving departmental goals, campaign objectives and key performance indicators.

Social Media Management

• Assist with managing the School of Music's social media accounts.
• Develop and maintain social media content calendars.
• Create, schedule and publish engaging content across platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube.
• Create social media graphics, reels, stories, short-form videos, photography and written content.
• Monitor comments, messages and audience engagement.
• Track social media performance and assist with reporting on reach, engagement and audience growth.
• Stay current on social media trends and identify opportunities to increase the School's digital visibility.
• Maintain a consistent and professional brand voice across social media platforms.

Photography & Videography

• Photograph concerts, performances, rehearsals, students, faculty, events and other School of Music activities.
• Capture video content for social media, websites, marketing campaigns and promotional materials.
• Plan and coordinate photo and video shoots.
• Conduct interviews with faculty, students, alumni, guest artists and other members of the School community.
• Develop interview questions and assist with visual storytelling.
• Operate DSLR and mirrorless cameras, lighting, microphones and other production equipment.
• Organize and maintain digital photography and video assets.

Graphic Design & Editing

• Create marketing materials using Canva and/or Adobe Creative Cloud applications.
• Develop graphics for social media, digital advertising, email campaigns, websites, event promotions, signage and print materials.
• Edit photography and video for digital and promotional use.
• Utilize applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator and Premiere Pro as appropriate.
• Create short-form video content for social media platforms.
• Resize and adapt creative assets for various digital and print applications.
• Ensure all creative materials are accurate, polished and consistent with School of Music branding.

Event & Project Support

• Assist with communications and marketing needs for concerts, performances, recruitment events and special projects.
• Coordinate photography, videography and social media coverage for events.
• Assist with event-day communications and promotional activities.
• Help coordinate schedules, timelines, content calendars and project deadlines.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, performers, vendors and University partners.
• Provide occasional evening and weekend support for performances and special events.

Student Employee Oversight

• Assist the Marketing and Communications Manager with overseeing student Federal Work-Study employees.
• Assign daily tasks based on departmental priorities.
• Provide training, direction and feedback to student employees.
• Review student-produced content for quality, accuracy and brand consistency.
• Help students gain practical experience in photography, videography, graphic design, social media and communications.
• Establish efficient workflows for student employees supporting marketing and communications initiatives.

Strategic & Administrative Support

• Help the Marketing and Communications Manager achieve established School of Music marketing and communications goals.
• Assist with maintaining content calendars, project schedules and marketing documentation.
• Help organize digital assets and communications resources.
• Assist with collecting and tracking marketing and social media performance data.
• Identify opportunities to improve communications processes and audience engagement.
• Stay informed about emerging trends in digital marketing, social media, photography, videography and communications.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, media production, graphic design, photography or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience in communications, marketing, social media, content creation, media production or a related field.
• Experience managing or creating content for social media platforms.
• Working knowledge of photography and digital photography equipment.
• Working knowledge of videography and video production.
• Experience with graphic design and content creation using Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud or comparable software.
• Experience with photo and/or video editing.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and project-management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional photography or videography experience.

Experience with

• Working in higher education, music, arts, entertainment, nonprofit organizations or a similar environment.
• Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, Illustrator, Premiere Pro and/or After Effects.
• Photographing live performances, concerts or events.
• Conducting interviews and developing storytelling content.
• Managing organizational social media accounts.
• Producing short-form video content for Instagram, Tiktok or Youtube.
• With event marketing or event logistics.
• Working with website content management systems.
• With email marketing platforms and digital analytics.
• Supervising, mentoring or coordinating student employees.
• Developing integrated marketing campaigns across multiple communications platforms.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong creative and visual storytelling abilities.
• Strong understanding of social media content and audience engagement.
• Proficiency with photography, videography and digital content production.
• Ability to use creative software to produce professional marketing materials.
• Strong writing, editing and proofreading skills.
• Excellent organizational and time-management abilities.
• Ability to prioritize competing projects and meet deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work professionally with faculty, staff, students, artists and University partners.
• Ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment.
• Professional judgment and discretion when representing the School of Music.
• Ability to provide direction and constructive feedback to student employees.
• Commitment to maintaining a professional, consistent and engaging brand presence for the School of Music.

About UsThe University of Memphis is a leading, student-centered, urban public R1 research institution. Located in Memphis, Tennessee, on 1,160 acres. The University serves a population of nearly 20,000 students and 2,500 employees, including more than 1,000 full-time faculty members. The University offers bachelor’s degrees in more than 230 areas of study, master’s degrees in more than 50 subjects and doctoral degrees in 26 disciplines; supported an institutional record of more than $100 million in research awards for FY24; and has an operating budget of close to $500 million.