Communication & Outreach Spec - req# 35229

Join a creative, collaborative team that tells the story of UNM’s built environment and the people who make our campus thrive. The Institutional Support Services (ISS) Marketing & Communications team is seeking a Communication & Outreach Specialist to craft compelling stories, develop strategic messaging, and elevate awareness of the operations and staff behind our university spaces. This position offers the opportunity to work across diverse departments, contribute to campus-wide initiatives, and make a lasting impact through meaningful, story-driven communications. The Communication & Outreach Specialist develops, coordinates, and implements strategic communications and outreach initiatives that enhance visibility and engagement across ISS and its affiliated reporting units, including the Vice President’s Office, Facility Services, Campus Capital Space & Planning, Facilities Design & Construction, Lobo Energy, and other related units, while serving the needs of the organization’s other departments as needed.

This position serves as a lead communications professional within the ISS Marketing & Communications team, supporting urgent communications, storytelling, and public outreach efforts. The position collaborates with a diverse, creative team to produce clear, engaging, and accessible content that translates complex operational or technical information for broad campus audiences. The specialist provides high-level writing, editing, and strategic support; mentors junior staff; and serves as a backup to the Marketing & Communications Manager, exercising sound judgment, professionalism, and strong interpersonal skills.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Develops and implements communication and outreach strategies that promote ISS initiatives, services, and staff achievements.
• Writes, edits, and produces internal and external communications, including articles, digital content, press materials, and urgent messaging.
• Maintains and updates websites using the Cascade Web Management System, ensuring content accuracy, accessibility, and alignment with University branding and messaging standards.
• Photograph and/or record video of events, staff, and campus operations for public release and storytelling purposes, following University policies and best practices for media use.
• Translates complex operational and technical information into accessible and engaging narratives for diverse campus audiences.
• Collaborates with ISS departments, directors, associate vice presidents, and campus leadership to develop strategic messaging, announcements, and urgent communications.
• Plans and coordinates outreach campaigns, features, and storytelling efforts that elevate awareness of staff, sustainability efforts, and infrastructure improvements.
• Provides mentorship and supports material review for junior team members, and assists in developing and maintaining team standards.
• Participates in regular team meetings and brainstorming sessions to contribute ideas, feedback, and creative approaches in a collaborative environment.
• Represents ISS Marketing & Communications at meetings and events, and serves as a backup lead for project delivery when the manager is unavailable.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

See the Position Description for additional information.

High school diploma or GED; at least 7 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.

Completed degree(s) from an accredited institution that are above the minimum education requirement may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.

• Experience in higher education or public sectorcommunications.
• Demonstratedsuccess managing multi-channel communications campaigns or storytellinginitiatives.
• Experience mentoring or guiding junior team members orstudent staff members.
• Familiarity with content accessibility standards andinclusive communication practices.
• Proficiency with Adobe Creative Cloud, web contentmanagement, and analytics tools.

Only applications submitted throughthe official UNMJobs site will be accepted. If you are viewing this jobadvertisement on a 3rd party site, pleasevisit UNMJobs to submit an application.

Positions posted with a Staff Type of Regular or Term are eligible for the Veteran Preference Program. See the Veteran Preference Program webpage for additional details.

The University of New Mexico is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, making decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other protected class.

The University of New Mexico requires all regular staff positions successfully pass a pre-employment background check. This may include, but is not limited to, a criminal history background check, New Mexico Department of Health fingerprint screening, New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department fingerprint screening, verification of education credentials, and/or verification of prior employment. For more information about background checks, visit https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3280.html. Refer to https://policy.unm.edu/university-policies/3000/3200.html for a definition of Regular Staff.