Manager, Communications – Department of Neuroscience Full-time

Strategic Communications Manager

Oversees the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of strategic communications, marketing, and branding initiatives for the Department of Neuroscience. Working closely with the Department Chair, faculty, and departmental leadership, this position develops integrated communications that promote research excellence, strengthen the Department's reputation, support faculty and trainee recruitment, advance strategic initiatives, and increase engagement among internal and external stakeholders. Serves as the department's communications subject matter expert and partners with School of Medicine Marketing & Communications, Advancement, Media Relations, and other university stakeholders to ensure consistent messaging and brand alignment.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Develops and executes the Department's annual communications and strategic marketing plan aligned with departmental priorities.
• Develops communication plans supporting strategic initiatives, organizational change, faculty recruitment, and major announcements.
• Develops and implements marketing initiatives that strengthen the Department's visibility, supports faculty and trainee recruitment, promotes departmental programs and events, and enhances stakeholder engagement.
• Establishes measurable communication objectives and evaluates the effectiveness of communications and marketing initiatives using analytics and other performance metrics.
• Ensures consistency in departmental messaging, branding, and visual identity across all communication channels.

Research, Innovation and External Engagement

• Creates and delivers communications that showcase faculty discoveries, scholarly publications, grants, awards, innovation initiatives, and other departmental accomplishments.
• Translates complex neuroscience research and innovation activities into engaging communications tailored for scientific, clinical, industry, donor, alumni, media, community, and public audiences.
• Coordinates research, innovation, and commercialization communications in partnership with the Director of Faculty Innovation & Strategic Partnerships, School of Medicine Marketing & Communications, Advancement, and other university partners.
• Develops communication materials supporting strategic partnerships, innovation initiatives, community outreach, scientific events, and public engagement activities.
• Supports public engagement, scientific outreach, and community-facing initiatives that strengthen awareness of the Department's research and innovation enterprise.

Digital Communications, Publications and Brand Management

• Provides strategic oversight and ongoing management of the Department's website, social media platforms, newsletters, and other digital communication channels to ensure timely, accurate, and engaging content.
• Produces, edits, publishes, and manages the Department's recurring internal newsletter and leads the creation and launches of a semi-annual external publication that showcases research excellence, innovation, faculty accomplishments, strategic partnerships, and departmental impact.
• Maintains an editorial calendar to coordinate communications across digital platforms, publications, research announcements, faculty accomplishments, recruitment activities, and major departmental events.
• Creates and coordinates written, visual, digital, and multimedia content supporting departmental communications, marketing, recruitment, innovation initiatives, publications, and public engagement.
• Ensures communications align with Washington University branding standards and monitor the effectiveness of digital communications through analytics and continuous improvement.

Executive Communications and Leadership Support

• Prepares presentations, talking points, annual reports, award nominations, and executive communications that support the Department Chair and departmental leadership.
• Drafts, edits, and coordinates letters of support, nomination letters, award submissions, faculty recognition materials, and other executive correspondence supporting faculty, trainees, and departmental initiatives.
• Develops communications and marketing materials supporting faculty, staff, trainee, and student recruitment and retention.
• Partners with Advancement to develop donor communications, stewardship materials, campaign communications, and other philanthropic engagement resources.

Organizational Leadership

• Serves as the Department's communications subject matter expert and advisor to departmental leadership regarding strategic communications, marketing, branding, and public engagement.
• Supports issues and crisis communications, when appropriate, in collaboration with institutional communications.
• May supervise communications staff, student workers, interns, or vendors, as assigned.
• Partners with departmental committees and working groups to support communications, public outreach, engagement initiatives, recognition programs, special events, and other strategic priorities, ensuring committee activities align with the Department's mission and communication objectives.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions: Job Location/Working Conditions

• Normal office environment

Physical Effort

• Typically sitting at desk or table.
• Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement.
• Ability to move to on and off campus location

Equipment

• Office equipment

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications:

Education:

Bachelor's degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.

Certifications /Professional Licenses :

No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.

Work Experience:

Progressive Management Responsibility In The Area Of Strategic Communications, Brand Strategy, Issues Management, Public/Media Relations, Marketing, Or Related Field (7 Years)

Skills:

Not Applicable

Driver's License:

A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education:

Master's degree

Certifications /Professional Licenses :

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience:

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills:

Analytics, Digital Communications, Interpersonal Communication, Microsoft Office, Newsletter Management, Oral Communications, Organizational Savvy, Photography, Prioritization, Social Media Strategies, Videography, Workload Management, Written Communication

Grade

G13

Salary Range

$65,900.00 – $112,700.00 / AnnuallyThe salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email CandidateQuestions@wustl.edu or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources,