Communications Specialist - job 1 of 2

Job Posting Title:

Communications Specialist

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Hiring Department:

Enterprise Technology - Vice President and Office of CIO

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Immediately

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Jan 31, 2027

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Location:

AUSTIN, TX

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Job Details:

General Notes

This is a fixed term position that may end one year after the employee’s start date.

Flexible work arrangements are available for this position, including the ability to work remotely. We prefer a candidate located in the greater Austin area as travel to campus for occasional in-person events, training, team meetings, activities, etc., may be required.

This position provides life/work balance with typically a 40-hour work week, and travel limited to training (e.g., conferences/courses).

Enterprise Technology is dedicated to supporting the mission of the University of Texas at Austin of unlocking potential and preparing future leaders of the state.

Your skills will make a difference.

You’ll be working for a university that is internationally recognized for research and the work you do will make a difference in the lives of our students, faculty and staff. If you’re the type of person that wants to know your work has meaning and impact, you’ll like working for our campus.

The University of Texas at Austin and Enterprise Technology provide an outstanding benefits package to our staff. Those benefits include:

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

• Vision, Dental, Life, and Disability insurance options

• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays

• Teachers Retirement System of Texas (a defined benefit retirement plan) or the Optional Retirement Program (a defined contribution plan)

• 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

• Training and conference opportunities

• Tuition assistance

• Athletic ticket discounts

• Access to UT Austin's libraries and museums

• Free rides on all UT Shuttle and Capital metro buses with staff ID card

For more details, please see: https://hr.utexas.edu/prospective/benefits and https://hr.utexas.edu/current/services/my-total-rewards

Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship.

This position requires you to maintain internet service and a mobile phone with voice and data plans to be used when required for work.

Purpose

The Communications Specialist supports Enterprise Technology by developing clear, engaging, and strategically aligned communications that enhance understanding of technical initiatives across the University. This role is responsible for creating communication plans, drafting content for different audiences, and ensuring complex technical information is translated into accessible, user-friendly messaging. The ideal candidate is an excellent writer who can bridge the gap between technical teams and non-technical stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Communication Strategy & Planning:

• Develop comprehensive communication plans for technical projects, service updates, and organizational initiatives.
• Partner with project managers, technical leads, and leadership to understand project objectives, timelines, risks, and user impacts.
• Recommend communication approaches, channels, and timelines to maximize clarity and reach.

Technical Translation & Content Development:

• Translate technical concepts, system changes, and architectural information into clear, concise language for non-technical audiences.
• Draft and edit content including announcements, FAQs, presentations, website copy, newsletters, talking points, user guides, and briefing materials.
• Ensure all communications are accurate, accessible, and aligned with university style and brand standards.

Stakeholder Engagement:

• Collaborate with internal teams (technical, operational, and executive) to gather information and validate messaging.
• Support communication needs for cross-campus stakeholders, including business officers, faculty, staff, and students.
• Serve as a communication liaison between Enterprise Technology and campus partners as needed.

Project & Operational Support:

• Maintain and update communication templates, processes, and documentation.
• Monitor communications effectiveness, gather feedback, and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Assist with internal communication campaigns and support organizational initiatives, events, and awareness efforts.

Perform other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, English, or related field.
• 3 or more years of experience in similar role of professional experience in IT project communications, writing, or information design role.
• Demonstrated experience in writing, editing, and developing communication materials.
• Ability to translate technical or complex information into clear, audience-appropriate content.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams and meet tight deadlines.
• Preferred Qualifications
• Experience in IT communications, higher education, or technical environments.
• Familiarity with communication best practices for change management or large-scale technology projects.
• Proficiency with communication tools and platforms (e.g., Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Teams, and email platforms).

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

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in IT communications, higher education, or technical environments.
• Familiarity with communication best practices for change management or large-scale technology projects.
• Proficiency with communication tools and platforms (e.g., Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Teams, and email platforms).
• Exceptional written and verbal communication
• Audience-centered messaging
• Technical comprehension and translation
• Strategic thinking and planning
• Collaboration and relationship-building
• Adaptability in fast-paced environments

Salary Range

$45,900 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation
• Use of manual dexterity

Work Shift

• Monday – Friday, flexible between 7am-6pm

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

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 that ALL Required 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 questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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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.

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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.

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Background Checks:

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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]

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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.