Head of Communications & Digital Strategy

CEU - Central European University - School of Public Policy

Budapest, Hungary

Application deadline: Open-ended, review to begin on 10 December 2013
Full Or Part Time: Full-time

The School of Public Policy (SPP) at Central European University seeks a Head of Communications & Digital Strategy.

SPP was launched in August 2011 and publicly inaugurated in April 2012. In the words of its founder, George Soros, the school aspires to be “a new kind of global institution dealing with global problems.” Instead of wishing away the current global environment of uncertainty, complexity and continuous change, SPP will embrace it in order to make a real, lasting impact.

The Head of Communications & Digital Strategy will help shape this major new academic institution, which strives to foster academic excellence, educate political and social entrepreneurs, and improve policymaking that addresses the critical challenges of our time.

The establishment of SPP represents the opportunity for those involved to develop a vital and unique institution with an entrepreneurial and exploratory spirit within a university that is committed to promoting the values of open society, democracy and critical, reflective thinking.

Tasks and responsibilities

The head will oversee the full range of communication activities at SPP and those academic centers associated with it, including its websites. She or he will implement SPP’s social media outreach strategy, oversee the production of promotional and audio-visual materials, engage in student recruitment campaigns and manage contacts database and media relations. She or he will be responsible for public relations activities. She or he will manage the SPP web editor, liaise with the CEU Communications Office as well as work with select freelance professionals. She or he will advise on online course management systems and innovative modes of teaching and learning, and explore related technology infrastructure needs, in collaboration with CEU’s E-learning Center. The Head will report to the Dean of SPP.

Qualifications

Ideal candidates will have:

• A top graduate degree in a relevant field (e.g. social sciences, journalism);
• Extensive professional experience (ideally 5-10 years) in a communication unit in the private, public and/or non-profit sector. Prior exposure to a leading global academic institution is desirable. Experience in leading projects and managing people and teams is desirable;
• Excellent writing and editing skills (e.g., text, film, photos);
• Excellent media contacts;
• Familiarity with leveraging social media and a passion to understand and use the changing digital media environment;
• Experience with website management is a must. Design experience and experience with contact management systems are desirable;
• Experience with educational technology is an asset;
• Outstanding command of the English language and proven editing skills, as well as the ability to draft and summarize texts exemplifying a native or near native-level;
• Experience that demonstrates strategic thinking;
• Background as a self-driven, entrepreneurial team player;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds; gender and cultural awareness and sensitivity, and an ability to integrate a gender perspective into tasks and activities;
• Commitment to promoting the values of an open society in a global age.

Compensation

We offer a competitive salary commensurate with experience, as well as a dynamic, supportive, and international academic environment based in Budapest, Hungary.

How to apply

Applicants need to submit:

• A cover letter, directly explaining how your experience fits the responsibilities and expectations of this position;
• A full resume, with name and addresses of three professional references.

Please send your complete application package in one pdf file to: applications@ceu.hu and include the following job code in the subject line: 2013/049. Review of applications will begin on 10 December 2013 and continue until the position is filled. Short-listed candidates will be contacted with requests for further information (which might include English-language writing samples). No paper applications please.

CEU is an equal opportunity employer.

About the School of Public Policy

In the words of its founder, George Soros, SPP aspires to become a “new kind of global institution dealing with global problems.” In its degree and non-degree programs, SPP aims to create an educational experience that involves not only the acquisition of skills and knowledge but also the cultivation of a mindset that emphasizes entrepreneurship, innovation, cultural awareness and a commitment to the public good. Commencing in September 2013, SPP’s two-year professional Master of Public Administration (MPA) program will attract exceptional students from across the globe, who seek a transformational experience to prepare for a career as change-makers in the public, civil society, and private sectors. Building on Central European University’s rich tradition of promoting diversity and open societies, SPP will cultivate a rigorous interdisciplinary environment and will strive to become a dynamic laboratory of ideas.

About Central European University

CentralEuropeanUniversity (CEU) is a research-intensive university specializing in graduate education in the social sciences, humanities, public policy, law and business. It is located in Budapest, Hungary, and accredited in the United States and Hungary. The language of instruction is English.CEU’s mission is to promote academic excellence, state-of-the-art research, and civic engagement, in order to contribute to the development of open societies around the world. CEU offers both master and doctoral programs, and enrolls more than 1500 students from over 100 nations. The teaching staff consists of more than 180 resident faculty members from over 40 countries, in addition to a large number of prominent visiting scholars from around the world.