Senior Communications Specialist, Internal and Executive Communications

Job Title

Senior Communications Specialist, Internal and Executive Communications

Agency

Texas A&M Engineering

Department

Engineering Communications Group

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

College Station, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

Why work for Texas A&M Engineering?

Engineering has been part of Texas A&M University since its opening in 1876 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. Today, the College of Engineering is the largest college on the College Station campus with more than 25,000 engineering students enrolled in 15 departments. Its mission is to serve Texas, the nation and the global community by providing engineering graduates who are well-founded in engineering fundamentals, instilled with the highest standards of professional and ethical behavior, and prepared to meet the complex technical challenges of society.

As the research arm of Engineering, the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES) is a state agency within the Texas A&M University System with a mission to improve lives through basic and applied engineering research, workforce development and technology transition. Our collaborations with industry, academia and government provide cutting-edge solutions to global technical challenges.

We are deeply committed to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce that embraces our core values of Respect, Excellence, Leadership, Loyalty, Integrity, and Service, by offering competitive salaries, an array of benefits, an extensive support network, and above all, an enriching and highly collaborative working community that is deeply passionate about our vision for higher education, research, and public service.

Job Description

Purpose:

The role is essential to strategic communications for Texas A&M Engineering, focusing on executive communications, internal engagement and issues management. Responsibilities include facilitating the development of promotional materials for government relations, organizing press events to highlight the state and national impact of strategic initiatives, crafting leadership talking points and executing internal communication plans aligned with strategic goals. The position fosters employee engagement and monitors feedback channels. It assists with crisis communication protocols and compliance with state and federal policies.

Responsibilities:

External/Government Relations Communications

• Work closely with the Texas A&M Engineering government relations team to develop promotional materials showcasing the state and national impact of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station.

• Execute press events for high-level Texas A&M Engineering initiatives, to include planning logistics, coordinating stakeholders and on-site event management.

• Develop talking points, as needed, for Texas A&M Engineering leadership presentations to external audiences.

Internal Communications

• Create and execute comprehensive internal communication plans that align with the college's and agency's strategic plans.

• Develop, curate and distribute content for email messages to Texas A&M Engineering faculty and staff from the vice chancellor and dean’s office.

• Partner with the People Office, IT, and teams within Engineering Communications, along with others, to ensure communication efforts are unified and effective.

• Identify opportunities to promote employee engagement and help foster a positive culture.

• Monitor internal channels for employee feedback and comments to address concerns and inform communication strategies.

Issues Management

• Implement crisis communication and issues management protocols and processes, as determined by Texas A&M and the A&M System, to mitigate reputational risk of the college and agency.

• Monitor internal communication controls to comply with state and federal policies.

• Conduct ongoing media monitoring and reputation tracking to identify emerging issues, assess public sentiment and inform proactive issues management strategies.

• Ensure crisis communication planning supports Texas A&M Engineering’s emergency preparedness and crisis plan.

• Collaborate closely with Texas A&M University and Texas A&M System issues management and crisis communications teams to ensure alignment, share timely information and coordinate unified responses during sensitive or high-risk situations.

What is needed:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Seven years of related experience.

What is helpful:

• Master’s degree in journalism, communications, business, or related field.

• Progressively responsible experience in marketing, media or public relations, advertising, communications, or related field with recent experience in higher education or in a higher education supporting organization.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear and concise messages for multiple audiences and channels.

• Excellent editing, presentation, and organizational skills.

• Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Ability to remain calm and composed under pressure and make sound decisions in time-sensitive situations.

• Ability to generate imaginative solutions and create cost-effective alternatives.

Other Requirements and Factors:

• May require work outside of normal business hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays

Work Location:

• Main Campus – College Station, TX.

Texas A&M Engineering provides an outstanding benefits package including but not limited to:

• Competitive medical insurance (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/medical/) benefits through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas and Prescription (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/prescriptions-express-scripts/) coverage by Express Scripts.

• Options for Vision (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/vision-insurance/) , Dental (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/dental/) , Life (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/life-add/) , and Long-Term Disability (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/long-term-disability/) insurance.

• A defined benefit retirement plan with the Teacher Retirement System of Texas (https://www.trs.texas.gov/) (TRS) with 8.25% employer contribution.

• Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs: Tax Deferred Account (http://assets.system.tamus.edu/files/benefits/pdf/retirement/TDA-DCPoverview.pdf) 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation Program (http://assets.system.tamus.edu/files/benefits/pdf/retirement/TDA-DCPoverview.pdf) 457(b).

• Flexible spending account (https://www.tamus.edu/benefits/flexible-spending-accounts/) options for medical and childcare expenses

• Generous paid time off with holidays (https://www.tamus.edu/hr/holiday/#eng) , vacation and sick leave (https://tees.tamu.edu/engr-hr/resources/employee-tools/leave-fmla/index.html) .

• Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning (https://www.linkedin.com/learning/) plus professional development opportunities.

• Tuition assistance and Educational release time (https://engineering.tamu.edu/_files/_documents/_content-documents/tees-educational-release-time-policy.pdf) to further your academic pursuits.

• Access to Engineer Your Wellness (https://tees.tamu.edu/engr-hr/resources/employee-tools/wellness/index.html) programs that provide opportunities for employees to engage in health and fitness.

• Wellness release time (https://tees.tamu.edu/engr-hr/resources/employee-tools/wellness/wellness-release-time.html) offered to employees to promote work/life balance.

Helpful Applicant Information

Required Materials for Application:

• Resume/CV

• Three work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor/former supervisor.

• Letter of interest

Applications received by Texas A&M Engineering must have all required job application data entered.

Failure to provide all job application data could result in an invalid submission and a rejected application.

Compensation Philosophy:

• Recruit and retain a high-performing workforce through competitive compensation and career development including career pathing, coaching and skills development.

• Recognize and reward exceptional performance based on individual and team contributions to the growth and success of Texas A&M Engineering.

• Offer total rewards through flexible benefits, professional development, and work-life balance. Maintain an equitable and transparent process for compensation decisions.

• Support, reinforce, and align compensation decisions with budgetary and financial strategies to ensure growth and sustainability.

Employment Eligibility Verification

• If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in delay of start date.

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.