Communications Specialist-LTE

The Communications Specialist is responsible for the clarity, timing and impact of all student-facing communication. A primary focus of this position is the continuous audit and optimization of current student communications to ensure they meet the evolving needs of the College and the student body. By partnering with key departments, this position eliminates "information silos" and translates complex institutional bureaucracy into empathetic, actionable guidance. Guided by institutional priorities for equality, student success and completion, this role ensures that critical milestones, deadlines and available supports to students are communicated clearly and consistently across all available platforms.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
This position description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of the job. The incumbents may be requested to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated on this description.

1. Systematically audit all existing student-facing touchpoints, including emails, web content, and portal messaging, to identify friction points and implement improvements.
2. Create and execute a comprehensive "onboarding" communication roadmap that guides admitted students through the transition to campus life, specifically aimed at increasing yield.
3. Partner with departments to map their independent messaging schedules into a unified "Master Communications Calendar" that prevents message fatigue and ensures students receive the right information at the right time.
4. Develop and refine targeted communication campaigns for current students focused on academic milestones, registration deadlines and campus resources to improve year-over-year retention.
5. Regularly gather and analyze student feedback via surveys or focus groups to ensure communication addresses the real-world anxieties and hurdles of the current student body, and use those insights to continuously refine messaging, channels and strategies.
6. Design and implement "nudge" strategies (SMS, portal alerts and email) that use behavioral science principles to encourage students to complete critical administrative tasks like FAFSA renewal or registration.
7. Act as a "translator" for complex institutional processes, such as Financial Aid, converting dense bureaucratic jargon into clear, empathetic and actionable content for students and families.
8. Serve as an editor for departmental communications to ensure absolute accuracy, adherence to AP Style and a consistent institutional brand voice.
9. Establish and monitor KPIs for communication effectiveness (e.g., engagement rates, sentiment analysis) and provide regular reports to leadership with recommendations for iterative improvement.
10. Evaluate and adopt emerging communication platforms and digital trends to ensure the College reaches students where they are most active, transitioning static content into interactive or mobile-first formats that drive higher engagement.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent writing, editing, grammar and English language skills to deliver high quality content.
• Familiarity and adherence to Associated Press style.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and verbal communication skills working with all levels of internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to create strategy and/or writing for internal and external audiences.
• Ability to manage highly confidential and sensitive information.
• Strong project management and organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team to complete projects.
• Demonstrated problem solving and analytical skills.
• Experience using data to assess communication effectiveness and inform continuous improvement.

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Digital Media or related field.
• Minimum of two (2)years of experience in marketing or communications.
• Project management experience preferred.
• Experience working in higher education or student services environment is preferred.