Communications Coordinator, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics

Job Posting Title :

Communications Coordinator, Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics

Hiring Department :

Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics

Position Open To : All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours :

40

FLSA Status : Exempt

Earliest Start Date :

Nov 21, 2025

Position Duration : Expected to Continue

Location : UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details : General Notes

As the new space age emerges, the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at The University of Texas at Austin has the exciting opportunity to establish ourselves as the nucleus for technology development for new space and as the hub for the next generation of computational methods and data analytics for aerospace. This role has a high impact on our ability to promote our cutting-edge research and efforts in areas such as space engineering / science, aviation, robotics, computation, mechanics and more. At UT Aerospace, where our academic programs rank among the top 10 in the nation, the sky is not the limit!

UT Austin provides outstanding employee benefits and total rewards packages that include :

Competitive health benefits (employee premiums covered at 100%, family premiums at 50%)

Voluntary Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options

Generous paid vacation, sick time, and holidays

Teachers Retirement System of Texas, a defined benefit retirement plan, with employer matching funds

Additional Voluntary Retirement Programs : Tax Sheltered Annuity 403(b) and a Deferred Compensation program 457(b)

Flexible spending account options for medical and childcare expenses

Robust free training access through LinkedIn Learning plus professional conference opportunities

Tuition assistance

Expansive employee discount program including athletic tickets

Free access to UT Austin's libraries and museums with staff ID card

Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Austin CapMetro buses with staff ID card

Responsibilities

Develop and coordinate a strategic communications plan - Anticipate and plan for strategic communications needs for the department - in concert with department leadership, including (but not limited to) : the promotion of large-scale initiatives, events, awards, or special projects, and the regular assessment of communication tools or channels to keep PR efforts aligned with current relevant trends. Collaborate with leadership, faculty and staff to develop and maintain an overarching strategic communications plan and implement lower-level communications plans for specific activities as needed. Identify new opportunities to increase awareness of ASE. Establish relationships and liaise with other university units, departments and colleges for the purposes of coordinating communications and PR efforts and reporting information for broader audiences when appropriate. Represent ASE on college communications team.

Content creation - Create high-quality graphic design and written materials and digital content to enhance the department's reputation and national standing, with a focus on priority areas including (but not limited to) ground-breaking research; graduate student and faculty recruiting; the student experience; alumni and corporate relations; and fundraising. Create and oversee production of key communication pieces such as magazine, newsletters, press releases, news and feature articles, short videos, marketing email campaigns, messaging for ASE leadership, etc.

Social media and website management - Oversee maintenance of the department's social media channels, digital screens and website, promote department achievements and activities, actively seek out and identify new opportunities and ways to enhance the department's visibility and ensure content is delivered in accordance with university branding guidelines. In managing social media, monitor comments and conversations, actively engage with audiences, track trends, and seek opportunities to improve and expand the department's presence. Utilize analytics reports to provide strategic direction and elevate communications efforts. Supervise social media student associate.

Project management - Coordinate and oversee communications projects, such as any re-branding initiatives, build-out of new communications tools, developing new marketing materials, the selection, design and branding of promotional items, vendor coordination, etc.

Brand Management and Media relations - Act as the department's media contact and assist media relations efforts driven by the College and University communications teams. Help produce press releases and pitch strategies to place stories within university channels and in targeted media outlets to increase coverage. Field questions from reporters and set up media interviews for faculty and researchers as needed. Develop strategies to strengthen ASE brand and identity and serve as band manager regarding University rules and regulations for trademark policies.

Event support - As a member of the department's external relations team, promote, execute and enhance events, outreach and development efforts. Act as the designated photographer for events and PR efforts as required, provide day-of event support including assisting the event coordinator with set-up and break-down tasks and work with and direct volunteers as needed. Coordinate with department leadership and the alumni and industry engagement coordinator regarding alumni relations projects.

Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or a related field, or equivalent experience and at least seven years of experience.

Proven experience with digital communication strategies and social media (preferably LinkedIn and Instagram).

Demonstrated experience writing press releases and or news and feature articles.

Ability to make complex subject matter accessible and compelling to a range of audiences with varying levels of technical knowledge about the topics presented.

Strong project management skills.

Experience with publishing content to web-based content management systems.

Ability to work independently with limited supervision.

Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team in a dynamic environment.

Demonstrated professionalism.

Strong attention to detail.

Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

Seven or more years of experience in communications or marketing.

Experience in strategic planning.

Experience with media relations.

Photography skills and experience.

Experience with graphic design tools for print and online communications, including Adobe Creative Suite.

Salary Range

$69,500 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

May work around standard office conditions

Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

Work Shift

Standard work schedule is Monday - Friday, 8 : 00 a.m. - 5 : 00 p.m.

Work outside of normal business hours may be required on an occasional basis during peak periods.

Required Materials

Resume / CV

Letter of interest

Three work references with contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

Finalists will be asked to provide writing samples and examples of produced social media content

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers : You will be prompted to submit your resume in the first step of the online job application process. Then, any additional Required Materials will be uploaded in the My Experience section; you can multi-select the additional files or click the Upload button for each file. Before submitting your online job application, ensure thatALLRequired Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers : As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find Jobs. Before you apply though, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will need to click the Upload button multiple times in order to attach your Resume, References and any additional Required Materials noted above.

Employment Eligibility :

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion / transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility :

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks :

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer :

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer ,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency :

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification :

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify :

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university's company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following :

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance :

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031 .

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.