Communications Officer, Florida Atlantic University Libraries

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Position Summary:

Florida Atlantic University is seeking a Communications Officer, University Libraries - Boca Raton, FL.

The FAU Libraries have prioritized working collaboratively with the campus community on a Top 100/R1 research initiative that includes a highly library engaged campus and community environment. FAU Libraries house approximately 3.7 million items and provide access to over 80,000 electronic journals, nearly 500 databases, and a growing collection of e-books and streaming videos.

The Libraries house many distinctive collections, including artists’ books, sound recordings, print music, rare books and manuscripts, and University Archives. The Digital Library creates online collections from unique materials housed in Special Collections and University Archives and serves as the University's repository for the intellectual output produced on campus. 

The FAU Libraries seek a high-energy, collaborative, organized, engaged, positive, innovative, strong written and verbal communicator, and self-starter, who adapts well to change and can manage multiple projects. The candidate for this position should be strategic, results-driven, student focused, flexible, and creative.  We are looking for someone who believes in the values of libraries and higher education and the mission of FAU. We endeavor to be a highly engaged organization that believes in striving for excellence, utilizing assessment and data for decision-making, and maintaining a culture of appreciation/gratitude, as we pursue a national ranking as a Top 100/R1 academic university.

As a member of the FAU Libraries and reporting directly to the Dean of Libraries, the Communications Officer communicates with internal and external stakeholders, including donors, administrators, faculty, staff, researchers, community members, alumni, and students. The Communications Officer collaborates with other campus communication positions and offices to coordinate and amplify stories about the FAU Libraries, including news releases and media outreach.  This position also oversees the Friends of the Libraries program and assists with development projects as assigned.

Summary of responsibilities:

• Carry out all workplace responsibilities in a professional and ethical manner.

• Ensure the proper use of University and Libraries’ branding and ensure consistent messaging, branding, imagery, and identity.

• Creates awareness of the value of the University Libraries, increasing membership in Friends of the Libraries program and track participation in library events.

• Cultivate and develop shareholder relationships.

• Build deep, productive relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the Libraries’ organization.

• Maintain records, collect statistical data, and work with library areas to submit data for yearly reports.

• Develop informative and impactful annual reports and user newsletters.

• Create the Libraries’ monthly Board of Trustees Update.

• Provide oversight, planning, design, marketing, implementation and evaluation of library events including pre-event/programs briefings and post-event/programs analysis.

• Engage and coordinate with internal and external vendors to host library events.

• Investigate and research innovative engagement events for students, faculty, and the local community

• Successfully build and collaborate with a small team to accomplish all responsibilities of the Unit.

• Create an annual plan for events and other workload of the Unit and develop strategic workflows within the Unit.

• Manage a diverse workload under deadline pressure and manage multiple priorities in a shifting landscape.

• Maintain public awareness calendars and facilitate signage.

• Create and edit engaging print and online marketing content, including articles, advertisements for magazines and digital platforms.

• Manage the Libraries’ branded social media groups.

• Coordinate Libraries’ Student Advisory Committee membership and engagement.

• Oversee the Friends of the Libraries program and assist with development projects as assigned.

• Form strategic collaborations with the University’s External Relations Office and similar offices in each academic college.

• Ensure a culture of unity, high performance, and continuous improvement that values continuous learning and a commitment to quality.

• Identify and share industry trends and best practices.

• Work collaboratively to further the Libraries’ Top 100/R1 initiatives.

• Participate in Library and University Committees.

• Participate in Library Engagement Activities.

• Actively pursue professional development opportunities.

• Other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s degree in appropriate area of specialization and two years of appropriate experience or a bachelor’s degree in appropriate areas of specialization and four years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications/Skills

• Experience working in libraries or in an academic organization.
• Demonstrated success in a library or other not-for-profit organization for a period of three years or more.
• Experience following financial practices, organizational procurement regulations, auxiliary account management and budget management as well as detailed tracking of multiple funding sources.
• Demonstrated copy creation and editing skills.
• Demonstrated experience writing annual reports.
• Demonstrated experience hosting events including working with caterers and facilities’ event space logistics.
• Demonstrated experience with advisory boards.
• Demonstrated ability to pay attention to details and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated exceptional level of customer service and response.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively independently and as a team member.
• Demonstrated effective time management and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated effective communication and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrated ability to be flexible with work schedule.
• Experience with Microsoft products such as Word, Excel, Teams.
• Experience with Adobe products such as Photoshop.
• Experience with Google products including Google Analytics.
• Experience with HTML-based content management systems.
• Demonstrated aspiration to engage in community service (e.g. Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, etc.).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated experience of ethical workplace behaviors in the execution of position responsibilities.
• Experience and/or education in effective communication tactics and strategy; experience in strategic communications program development; excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Demonstrated proficiency in writing, particularly about library issues, for a lay audience.
• Demonstrated experience in writing and editing marketing content; electronic email distribution platforms; experience with web and digital content preferred.
• Demonstrated public speaking skills.
• Demonstrated understanding of the difference between fundraising and development work.
• Demonstrated success in communicating and advocating for a library’s or similar not-for-profit organization’s needs and aspirations.
• Demonstrated strong commitment to service excellence.
• Ability to lead, coordinate, and contribute to multiple projects from conception through implementation.
• Ability to be flexible and nimble and cope with change.
• Ability to prioritize duties with the ability to reprioritize as necessary and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Ability to respond effectively to questions from individuals both external and internal to the University.
• Demonstrated strong customer service orientation.
• Demonstrated student focus.
• Demonstrated strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and communication skills.

The University Libraries at Florida Atlantic University seeks scholars who are committed to supporting the learning needs of students from diverse backgrounds and to thoughtfully engaging all communities in higher education. Florida Atlantic University embodies a culture of strategic and collaborative community engagement that results in mutual benefit to the institution and the various internal and external communities that it serves. 

FAU Benefits and Perks 

If Benefits & Perks are important to you, then FAU is the place to be! Working at FAU has its perks! In addition to helping drive change and having a positive impact by supporting our students, staff, and faculty, FAU offers: 

• Excellent benefit packages including Medical (PPO/HMO $50 per month single & $180 per month family), Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending plans, Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and much more. 

• State retirement options including tax-deferred annuities and Roth 403(b) plans. 

• State employees Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program - https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service 

• Flexible work arrangement plans - https://www.fau.edu/hr/employee_relations/flexwork.php 

• Sick Leave Pool Program 

• Paid time off (eligible employees) including vacation and sick leave, 1 personal day, 9 paid holidays, and paid winter break (at President’s discretion). 

• Paid Community Engagement Volunteer Service Day - https://www.fau.edu/hr/documents/community-engagement-volunteer-leave4-2015.pdf  

• Employee Educational Scholarship Program (EESP) for eligible Staff/Faculty - Tuition assistance after 6 months of full-time employment. For in-unit faculty, the EESP program may be extended to spouses and dependent children (eligibility rules apply). 

For details on FAU's amazing offers visit us at https://www.fau.edu/hr/benefits/index.php