Communications Assistant V - CALS Marketing and Communications

As an individual contributor you will model and support a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, and wellbeing and continually seek to understand how your role, behaviors, and actions impact the success of this culture.

Department Background

Cornell communicators share a mission to enhance and preserve the university's brand and reputation as a top research institution and a leader in higher education, and to support and promote critical programs that serve the university's teaching, research, and public engagement mission. Communication services are carried out through a matrixed organizational system in which University Relations houses the departments of News (Cornell Chronicle), Media Relations (pitching and servicing media requests), Brand (cornell.edu, multimedia production, brand management and governance), Strategic Communications (communications plans, key messaging, social media management), and Cornellians (digital alumni publication). Communicators in colleges, schools, and units regularly collaborate with, and consult, University Relations departments. University Relations serves as a partner and resource for all college/unit communicators.

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University's second largest population of students, faculty and staff. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: natural and human systems; food, energy and environmental resources; and social, physical and economic well-being. The CALS Office of Marketing and Communications provides leadership and expertise in strategic communications and branding to raise the visibility of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and its scientific discoveries. We tell the stories and show the impact of CALS' life-changing research, education and outreach through a digital-first strategy that leverages campus partnerships and news media to reach key audiences, which include current and prospective students, faculty and staff, alumni and state and federal partners.

Position Summary

While position responsibilities vary, every member of our community is expected to foster a culture of belonging and a psychologically healthy work environment by communicating across differences; being cooperative, collaborative, open, and welcoming; showing respect, compassion, and empathy; engaging and supporting others regardless of background or perspective; speaking up when others are being excluded or treated inappropriately; and supporting work/life integration of oneself and others.

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Creative Content within the CALS office of Marketing and Communications, the Creative Content Specialist will collaborate with team project leads to produce content for a variety of target audiences across multiple college channels, including news articles, website copy, digital newsletters, social media content and event support. The incumbent will be a highly collaborative, regularly contributing member of the CALS MarComm team and will work with a broad cross-section of college and university faculty, staff and students, as well as external partners. They will assist with a variety of projects to support the strategic priorities of the Office of Marketing and Communications, the college and the university. This is a hybrid position, with up to three days per week required onsite at the CALS Marketing and Communications office on the Ithaca, NY, campus. Primary functions of this position include:

• Collaborate closely with Assistant Director of Creative Content and other team members to create short and long-form content for college platforms.
• Assist with curation of news, press items and content ideas for university platforms (Cornell Chronicle, Cornellians, Cornell.edu, Medium, etc.) and college outlets (CALS website, newsletters and social media).
• Curate internal and external digital newsletters and prepare for distribution to college target audiences.
• Partner with Assistant Director and team members to create, write, edit and post content to college social media.
• Develop website copy and messaging based on strategic communications priorities, informed by analytical website data.
• Assist Assistant Director with coordination of photography and video shoots to support strategic editorial priorities and related digital asset management.
• Partner with Assistant Director and Director to develop strategic messaging and asset development, including talking points, presentations and handouts to convey priority projects and initiatives for key stakeholder groups and events.
• Serve as a cross-trained team member to help research and suggest faculty and staff subject matter experts to the Office of Media Relations and for external requests from media. Collaborate with assistant director to support positive media coverage, reply to routine media requests and work with the Media Relations Office to organize press conferences when applicable.
• Assist team project leads to coordinate, promote and monitor special events, meetings and activities.
• Seek out methods of staying up to date on college and university news generated by team colleagues, including regular meetings with college and university communication partners; research trends and policy highlights in our areas of expertise as they're happening beyond Cornell, specifically in the climate change, sustainability, environment, food systems and agriculture spaces.

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Relocation assistance will not be provided for this position.

Required Qualifications

• Associate's degree and 4-6 years of related experience in journalism, marketing, communications or public relations, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Exemplary print and digital written communication, editorial and research skills (seeking versatility writing traditional long-form copy and short-form web/social copy).
• Ability to cultivate and develop inclusive and equitable working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and community members.
• The individual must be a detail-oriented content creator who can work on deadline while managing multiple projects. Creative problem-solving and collaboration skills are a must.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills. Strong commitment to customer service.
• Ability to work independently and use sound judgment in decision making, including setting and managing priorities and meeting competing deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Basic familiarity with visual and multimedia storytelling formats and tools
• Demonstrated success in supporting organization and implementation of events, such as workshops, speaking programs and other outreach opportunities.
• Familiarity creating and publishing content on social media for personal and professional use, notably on channels such as Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.
• Minimal travel may be required for in-person meetings, interviews or industry events, estimated to be 5% of time or less.
• Valid and unrestricted New York State driver's license with approval to drive for university business.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in in journalism, marketing, communications or public relations preferred.
• Interest and experience communicating about the life, environmental, agricultural and social sciences.
• Versatility as a writer: must be comfortable communicating using various styles and media.
• Experience using email marketing platforms.
• Prior experience conducting interviews to identify and develop content
• Experience working in a Content Management System (CMS) such as Drupal.
• Experience with SEO best practices and optimizing content for the web.
• Familiarity with AP style.
• Experience working with team members in project management / design tools such as Trello and Canva.
• Knowledge of Cornell University as well as the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
• Experience working in an academic environment.

How to Apply:

You must submit both a resume/CV and cover letter. Applications will not be considered without both submitted documents.

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations.

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• Prior relevant work or industry experience
• Education level to the extent education is relevant to the position
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EEO Statement:

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University's heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual's genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law.

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.