Ambassador: Communication Strategist and Content Creator

Working Title: Ambassador: Communication Strategist and Content Creator

State Role Title: N/A

Position Type: Administrative & Professional (Non-teaching Faculty)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

College/Division: College of Education

Department: 540961 - I'm Determined Center

Pay Rate: Commensurate with Experience

Specify Range or Amount:

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? Yes. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon continued funding.

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

Beginning Review Date: 04/19/2025

About JMU:

Mission
We are a community committed to preparing students to be educated and enlightened citizens who lead productive and meaningful lives.

Vision
To be the national model for the engaged university: engaged with ideas and the world.

Who We Are
Located in the heart of Virginia's beautiful Shenandoah Valley, the city of Harrisonburg is approximately 120 miles from Washington, D.C. and Richmond, VA. With a population of just over 53,000, Harrisonburg is one of the most diverse communities in the Commonwealth of Virginia. JMU is a selective, public institution with a growing national reputation for offering experiences that lead to an outstanding education and inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff. The student body includes approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,900 graduate students, with over 1,000 full-time instructional faculty.

JMU offers thriving programs in the liberal arts, science and technology, and professional disciplines at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels. The university is committed to expanding diversity, fostering equity and inclusion, and supporting superlative teaching and scholarship. JMU has achieved national recognition for the high quality of its academic programs, focus on maintaining strong student/faculty interaction, and innovative faculty research.

General Information:

The Virginia Department of Education I'm Determined Center (IMD) at JMU is seeking a qualified and experienced Communication Strategist and Content Creator Ambassador. We are looking for a dynamic candidate who is interested in a work environment that affords ongoing professional learning opportunities, collaboration with colleagues, and an opportunity to influence educational practices. This is a grant-funded position.

The Communication Strategist and Content Creator Ambassador is a state-wide position dedicated to communicating and keeping up to date with all the resources and happenings that are occurring in I'm Determined. This role will oversee telling the story of I'm Determined with a variety of outlets. The Communication Strategist and Content Creator will promote examples of self-determination occurring in schools, in families, and in and across our communities. Further, this role will seek to organize and mobilize a website strategy that will allow users to engage with the website no matter where they are on their self-determination journey. Such an undertaking means having a deep understanding of youth engagement, as well as strategies that will encourage users to return for more ideas and resources.

On the social media side, there is a call to incorporate existing website resources and media into a social media and email strategy. This has been an emerging practice at IMD, however, there is a desire to design and create an integrated platform where the website and our social media presence are working in tandem with one another in ways that encourage, support, and inspire users to try new things, think creatively, and be self-determined. This ambassador will also structure and plan all communication through email and subscriber lists.

This is a tele-eligible position.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Digital Marketing Strategy:
Develop and implement comprehensive digital marketing strategies that align with I'm Determined's goals.
Identify new opportunities for growth and innovation in the digital space.

Website Management:
Oversee the design, development, and maintenance of the company's website.
Ensure the website is accessible, user-friendly, visually appealing, and optimized for search engines (SEO).
Keep blog up-to-date with examples of how youth, families, and educators are practicing self-determination skills while highlighting the outcomes of those practices.

Campaign Management:
Plan, execute, and optimize digital marketing campaigns across various channels, including social media, email, newsletters, and search engines.
Monitor campaign performance and adjust strategies to achieve key performance indicators (KPIs) and return on investment (ROI).

Content Strategy:
Develop and manage a content strategy that engages target audiences and drives traffic to the website.
Ensure content is consistent with the brand's voice and optimized for SEO.

Analytics and Reporting:
Utilize web analytics tools to track and report on website and campaign performance.
Provide insights and recommendations based on data analysis to improve digital marketing efforts.

Team Leadership:
Lead and mentor a team of digital marketing professionals.
Collaborate with statewide group of Regional Ambassadors and Youth Leaders, ensuring their voice is heard in the digital marketing work.
Foster a collaborative and innovative work environment.

Collaboration:
Work closely with cross-functional teams, the Regional Ambassadors, Youth Development Ambassadors, and Youth Leaders.
Collaborate with external partners, such as digital agencies and technology vendors who can help provide branded content.

Project Management:
Manage digital marketing projects, ensuring efficient allocation of resources, time, and funds.
Lead communication between project collaborators, and IMD Center leadership

Qualifications:

* Master's degree in Marketing, Digital Media, Communications, or a related field.
* Extensive experience in digital marketing or a related field.
* Proven track record of managing successful digital marketing campaigns and website projects.
* Proficiency in digital marketing tools and platforms, such as Google Analytics, SEMRush, and social media management tools.
* Strong understanding of SEO, SEM, and web analytics.
* Ability to analyze complex data and translate it into actionable insights.
* Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
* Ability to present complex information clearly and persuasively to stakeholders at all levels.
* Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and mentor a team.
* Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams.
* Creative thinker with the ability to develop innovative digital strategies.
* Ability to adapt to changing digital landscapes and implement new technologies effectively.
* Ability to travel regionally and occasionally statewide.

Additional Posting Information:

In addition to your resume and cover letter, please submit a sample of your previous work (under "Other Document #1").

Conditions of Employment:

Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background check.

E-Verify Notice: After accepting employment, new hires are required to complete an I-9 form and present documentation of their identity and eligibility to work in the United States. James Madison University uses the E-Verify system to confirm identity and work authorization.

EEO Statement:

James Madison University is committed to creating and supporting a diverse and inclusive work and educational community that is free of all forms of discrimination. This institution does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or veteran status.

We promote access, inclusion and diversity for all students, faculty, staff, constituents and programs, believing that these qualities are foundational components of an outstanding education in keeping with our mission. The university is interested in candidates whose experience and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to this core quality.

Anyone having questions concerning discrimination should contact the Office for Equal Opportunity: (540) 568-6991.

Reasonable Accommodation:

If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance searching or applying for jobs please contact us at (540) 568-3597 or jobs@jmu.edu. You may also visit the JMU Human Resource Office, located at 752 Ott Street, Harrisonburg, VA 22807 and we will be happy to assist you.