The Commonwealth Cyber Initiative (CCI) seeks applicants for a Communications Director position supporting the CCI Network Office. CCI is a $20 million per year initiative to connect public institutions of higher education across Virginia with industry partners to develop an ecosystem of research, innovation, commercialization, and learning that will establish Virginia as a world leader in cyber and cyberphysical system security. CCI consists of a Research Hub located in Northern Virginia, coordinated by Virginia Tech, as well as regional nodes across the Commonwealth, consisting of institutions of higher education, government and industry and anchored by public universities.

Reporting to the Managing Director of the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative and in coordination with the Director of Communications and Marketing for the Vice President for Research and Innovation of Virginia Tech, the Director of Communications will plan, execute, and implement a comprehensive communications and marketing program for the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative, and align those activities with university wide communications, marketing, and branding initiatives. The Director is a critical member of the CCI Hub leadership team, spearheading efforts to promote CCI’s goals to be a recognized leader in cyber physical system security. The Director will support the communications needs for the Executive Director and the CCI student, partner, and researcher recruitment efforts.

• Master's degree in communications, journalism, or related field, or a bachelor's degree with related training and experience;
• Skill in developing and implementing strategic communication plans, both collaboratively and independently
• Skill in using multiple communication platforms to develop and deliver content (e.g. institutional daily news and magazine, news wires and trade journals, social media, websites, conferences, etc.)
• Experience building relationships with diverse stakeholders at multiple institutions
• Skill in communications to include storytelling about: research, education, and profiles, and draft communication plans and stories, edit stories, draft strategic media list/pitch, publish stories in the a content management system, and draft coordinating social script
• Knowledge and understanding of brand management principles and how they apply to storytelling
• Skill in working in a fast-paced environment and delivery of high-quality content on a weekly basis

• Experience working with reporters, planning and executing press events;
• Skill in media relations to include: developing and cultivating relationships with media, drafting media lists, tracking media results, and reporting.
• Experience developing and implementing plans for showcasing video and photo on social and web platforms that showcases storytelling
• Experience serving as a spokesperson
• Experience motivating, developing, and managing staff
• Experience working in a deadline-intensive environment with competing priorities,
• Experience working in a multicultural, scientific environment, and working with industry, scientific, and government organizations.

Restricted

Commensurate with experience

June 12, 2020

The successful Candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.