Communications Specialist, Department of Art and Art History

Job Posting Title :

Communications Specialist, Department of Art and Art History

Hiring Department :

Department of Art and Art History

Position Open To : All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours :

40

FLSA Status : Exempt

Earliest Start Date :

Immediately

Position Duration : Expected to Continue

Location : UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details : General Notes

The Department of Art and Art History , within the College of Fine Arts , is a dynamic academic community dedicated to creativity and innovation. The department brings together artists, scholars, and educators who engage in the exploration and advancement of the visual arts. The Department is organized into three distinct academic divisions : Art Education, Art History, and Studio Art. In addition to these divisions, the department also encompasses the Visual Arts Center.

Benefits Package

100% employer-paid basic medical coverage

Retirement contributions

Paid vacation and sick time

Paid holidays

Other services and perks

Purpose

The purpose of the Communications Specialist role in the Department of Art and Art History is to advance its visibility and reputation by developing and executing strategic, creative, and cohesive communication initiatives.

Responsibilities

Content Creation : Responsible for developing and maintaining the Department of Art and Art History (AAH) and Visual Arts Center (VAC) editorial calendar, developing content and strategies for social media platforms, editorial outlets (print and digital), and digital storytelling initiatives. Duties include writing feature-length articles for Arts Next , the College of Fine Arts' annual magazine, and producing photographic and video content for use on Instagram and the department website. The Communications Specialist will photograph and video classroom activities, events, and exhibition openings, edit visual assets for departmental print materials, and ensure that high-quality images are available for online outlets, print publications, and press requests. Additional responsibilities include drafting informational content for departmental print collateral and supporting the communication of key messages and program highlights across multiple channels.

Editorial Planning : The Communications Specialist will maintain the AAH and VAC editorial calendar and conceptualize year-round communication initiatives for social media platforms, internal to UT and external editorial outlets (print and digital), and digital storytelling using video, web, and interactive media.

This role requires proactive collaboration and relationship building with colleagues across the College of Fine Arts and the broader university community to plan strategic editorial calendars, develop news stories and pitches, and support department-wide communication initiatives. The specialist will ensure a cohesive, forward-thinking content strategy that aligns with departmental goals and enhances overall visibility.

Newsletter Management : The Communications Specialist is responsible for the development and distribution of quarterly AAH email newsletters and weekly events newsletters for the AAH and VAC. Duties include soliciting newsletter stories from AAH staff and faculty, writing feature articles covering AAH and VAC events, classes, and exhibitions, and designing newsletters that highlight the Department's impact while ensuring equitable coverage of all departmental programs.

Department Outreach : The Communications Specialist will partner with the College of Fine Arts to promote departmental achievements by proactively pitching and distributing stories to both internal University of Texas channels and external media outlets (owned and earned media). Responsibilities include highlighting the accomplishments of faculty, students, alumni, and the Visual Arts Center to enhance the department's visibility and reputation.

Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree and 2 years' experience working in a communications role

Experience producing and editing photographic and video content for digital and social platforms; familiarity with visual storytelling and brand-aligned content development.

Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to plan, prioritize, and execute multiple projects on deadline.

Demonstrated ability to write, edit, and proofread clear, engaging, and accurate content for a range of audiences and platforms (print, web, and social media).

Competencies :

Accuracy and Attention to Detail

Initiative, Decision Making and Critical thinking

Effective Communication

Interpersonal Relationships

Service Excellence

Problem-solving

Preferred Qualifications

Master's Degree

Proficiency with Adobe Pro, Microsoft Suite

Knowledge of Content Management Systems including :

Sprout Social

Meltwater PR

Campaign Monitor

Drupal Kit

Prior administrative work experience at the University of Texas at Austin

Salary

$56,000, fixed salary

Working Conditions

This position may be eligible for hybrid work location flexibility upon successful completion of the probationary period, in accordance with departmental needs and university policies

Prolonged screen time

Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

Use of manual dexterity

Required Materials

Resume / CV

Letter of interest

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

Writing sample, between 250-500 pages.

Video sample of previous work of your choosing.

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers : You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. 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 UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, 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 before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questionspresented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were 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.