Communications Specialist, Department of Design

Job Posting Title:

Communications Specialist, Department of Design

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Hiring Department:

Department of Design

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Jun 01, 2026

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

The Department of Design in the College of Fine Arts at The University of Texas at Austin is launching an exciting new phase as a stand-alone department. We aim to amplify the impact of our students, faculty, and programs through thoughtful storytelling and compelling communications. We’re looking for a curious, proactive collaborator to help strengthen our public presence in this next chapter.

Benefits package:

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage

• Retirement contributions

• Paid vacation and sick time 

• Paid holidays 

• Other services and perks.

This job description may not contain all assigned duties, responsibilities, or aspects of the job described. Even if you don't qualify or have specific experience in every facet of this role, we encourage you to apply.

Responsibilities

Communications Strategy

• Create, manage and execute effective communication strategies for multiple and versatile departmental programs, projects and initiatives to raise visibility of department and to reach its desired audience.

• Implement content calendars and campaign plans that support key departmental initiative (e.g., showcases, exhibitions, recruitment periods) and adjust based on performance insights.

• Maintain a steady pipeline of content ideas through active stakeholder engagement and editorial planning.

• Draft and pitch story ideas, respond to media inquiries, and coordinate press materials in collaboration with college/university communications staff.

Content Development & Storytelling

• Propose, research, write, edit, and publish original content highlighting Design students, faculty, programs, projects, exhibitions, and initiatives across web, email, and social platforms.

• Create compelling written, visual, and multimedia posts and stories.

Web & Social Channel Management (Design-owned channels)

• Maintain and publish content for the Department of Design website (CMS-based) and department social accounts, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and alignment with college and UT standards and brand.  

Events: External Marketing + Internal Documentation

• Develop and execute communications support for public-facing events: create promotion plans, produce and schedule event announcements, and prepare day-of and post-event storytelling content.

• Document departmental events by sourcing and coordinating photographers/videographers, developing shot lists, managing timelines and deliverables, and organizing assets for future reuse across channels (web/social/marketing materials).

Project Management & Editorial Operations

• Manage multiple communications projects concurrently, set timelines, coordinate inputs and reviews, and deliver final materials on schedule.

• May lead regular editorial meetings and guide development of story ideas and pitches in coordination with departmental stakeholders.  

Analytics & Continuous Improvement

• Monitor analytics for web and social content; translate results into recommendations to improve visibility, reach, and engagement across departmental channels.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree. 5 years of professional experience

• Demonstrated communications experience including developing and executing communications strategies, writing and editing for digital channels and managing multiple projects with deadlines.

• Demonstrated experience with building and maintaining content priorities and editorial calendar.

• Experience sourcing and coordinating photographers/videographers, developing shot lists, managing timelines and deliverables, and organizing assets for future reuse across channels (web/social/marketing materials).

• Required Competencies:

  • Initiative

  • Effective Communications

  • Teamwork

  • Service Excellence

  • Accuracy and Attention to Detail

  • Decision Making and Critical Thinking

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• More than five years’ experience of relevant professional experience.

• Experience managing content on a large website and applying information architecture/content strategy principles.

• Professional journalistic writing experience for digital channels and/or online marketing/communications experience.

• Experience coordinating multimedia production (photo/video) and working with external creative vendors.

Salary Range

$52,000 - $56,000 depending on qualifications

Working Conditions / Schedule

• On Campus 5 days per week for first at least first 45 Days, eligible for minimum 3 days on campus per manager approval.

• Prolonged screen time

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

• Use of manual dexterity

Work Shift

• Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm with some night and weekend work to support seasonal department events.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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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 loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.