Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development is dedicated to transforming the systems that impact learning and human development for a thriving, sustainable, and just future in Boston and beyond. At BU Wheelock, our core values include diversity & belonging, advocacy & agency, integrity, humility, innovation & transformation, curiosity & inquiry, and sustainability. Visit https://www.bu.edu/wheelock/about/ to learn more about BU Wheelock.

BU Wheelock is a part of Boston University, a comprehensive research university, and a community unlike any other. To learn more about what makes Boston University unique, visit https://www.bu.edu/about/dna/.

Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development seeks a full-time Digital Communications Specialist to join the Marketing & Communications Office. The Digital Communications Specialist supports all major internal and external communications initiatives for BU Wheelock, with a focus on creative and compelling content for the website and social media channels that promotes BU Wheelock strategic priorities.

The Digital Communications Specialist is a storyteller who produces persuasive, engaging content to promote BU Wheelock’s research, faculty, graduate admissions, student life, and events. This role contributes to maintaining and updating the BU Wheelock website. The specialist collaborates closely and proactively with team members, BU Wheelock staff, student workers, and faculty members, and supports editorial work and media relations across the college.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Marketing & Communications, this is a full-time position and is eligible for the University’s comprehensive benefits program for staff. The Digital Communications Specialist is a hybrid position with an office on the Boston University campus.

Essential Functions:

Content Development (35%)

• Write marketing and informational content centered around readers’ needs, including features, Q&As, and news releases for the website news section, as well as content for pages throughout the site.

• Independently identify ideas for content and conduct interviews with faculty, staff, students, and alumni to develop an understanding of their expertise.

• Monitor news sources, social media, and other channels to stay informed about newsworthy trends and developments and source ideas for timely content.

• Ensure that best practices for search engine optimization are maintained, including optimizing content and keyword searches.

• Plan, build, and send e-newsletters, including identifying story ideas, creating content, and managing production schedule.

• Write content for print and marketing materials, including viewbooks, and support development of annual alumni magazine.

Social Media and Media Relations (30%)

• Identify topics, research, and write content for BU Wheelock social media channels (Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok).

• Support strategic implementation of social media content plan and schedule content based on channel performance, best practices, and trends.

• Monitor engagement on all channels and share relevant third-party content.

• Identify story ideas to pitch to BU publications.

• Monitor and track faculty and staff media engagement, and support responding to media inquiries.

Website Maintenance (20%)

• Contribute to maintaining and updating the BU Wheelock website, including building and publishing posts, web pages, and multimedia content.

• Research, source, gather, and prepare media assets to upload.

• Respond to requests for updates and corrections.

Editorial (10%)

• Copy edit and proofread content, reviewing for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and other errors, following the Boston University and BU Wheelock editorial style guides, and Chicago Manual of Style.

• Fact-check content to ensure accuracy.

Other duties (5%)

• Other duties as assigned

Required Skills

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or a related subject or equivalent professional experience

• Three to five years related work experience

• Proven ability to plan, test, and create compelling content. Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Demonstrated experience creating content for and managing social media

• Experience with social media analytics & social media management tools (Sprinklr preferred)

• Experience copy editing and proofreading content

• Experience pitching stories to media outlets and responding to inquiries from reporters (preferred)

• Strong ability to work independently and to initiate and manage multiple projects

• Excellent attention to detail

• Proven experience and proficiency using a content management system (WordPress preferred)

• HT/HTML5 knowledge and proficiency in Adobe Suite (Dreamweaver, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator) preferred.

• Hands on search engine optimization experience and knowledge of current SEO best practices

Preferred Qualifications:

• Photography / videography skills highly desirable

Confidential Data:

All information (written, verbal, electronic, etc.) that an employee encounters while working at Boston University is considered confidential. Employees must adhere to University and departmental policies, guidelines and procedures; and all applicable laws and regulations at all times.

Additional Requirements:

This role requires the ability to work according to editorial deadlines.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

Required Experience