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Communications and External Relations Specialist

Overview:Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) offers a unique program of training on the island of St. Kitts in the Caribbean. An integrated curriculum, with innovative use of technologies and simulations, provides the best possible training for tomorrow’s veterinarians. We prioritize recruitment of talented faculty and are now seeking a key new member of our team to join us as we develop new programs to best prepare our graduates to face the global opportunities and challenges of veterinary medicine in the 21st century. 
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:The Communications Specialist is responsible for developing and coordinating essential communications for the internal and external audiences and for creating or drafting written materials, prepare presentations and develop communication campaigns for various target audiences. Additionally will collaborate with internal departments, and colleagues, external stakeholders, and current students to support the strategic initiatives of RUSVM, including the University’s commitment to service excellence and support the strategic internationalization goals of RUSVM by preparing strategic communications collateral for the target audiences and may represent RUSVM at international fairs and serve as secondary support in a crisis communications support role for security and other disaster planning purposes and operations of RUSVM’s Emergency Communication Plan.
Specific responsibilities include:
  • Working with the Assistant Dean and leadership team to continuously adjust communication programs to support strategic initiatives.
  • Serve as primary support for internal department communication assisting with developing of communications and approval process.
  • Implement processes and procedures on the campus that will help in the consistency and quality of communications.
  • Write content for identified communications, and edits other communications and works with campus communications team to define and support execution on communications, including defining formats.
  • Responsible for coordination of monthly newsletter and weekly electronic communications, to include content planning and delivery, as well as providing metrics on usage.
  • Support content direction and development for an Intranet to support communications to staff, faculty and students.
  • Maintain updated and accurate content on the Web site.
  • Promote the accomplishments and innovations of faculty and the success of students, and engages all stakeholders to participate and be represented in communications process.
  • Manage relationships with external vendors.
  • Serve as the primary contact for local community activities and events.
  • Manage on-campus events in collaboration with various departments.
  • Support internationalization of the RUSVM program, including recruitment, market research and preparation of international visits and collateral.
  • Prepare emergency and crisis communications to internal and external stakeholders as appropriate using various communication channels, including the emergency communications system.
  • Serve as the organizational public information officer in absence of Assistant Dean for Communications and External Relations.
  • Ability to travel internationally, as some travel may be involved in promotion of RUSVM.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
  • Bachelor’s degree required in public relations, communications or related field (Master’s Degree preferred).
  • Proven success in positions within the fields of communications, public relations, marketing, or corporate communications.
  • Demonstration of excellent written (AP Style) and verbal communication skills and ability to interact with others.
  • Experience and expertise designing and implementing communications and outreach strategies (academia or health care is a plus). HTML and Web content management preferred.
  • Previous experience in web communications preferred.
  • Demonstration of diplomatic, professional, courteous and perceptive interpersonal skills; display discretion in dealing with sensitive, confidential issues.
  • Basic understanding of public relations, persuasion, image and consistency of message.
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