Job Description

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) has set the pace for educating professional artists since 1970. Offering rigorous undergraduate and graduate degree programs through six schools—art, critical studies, dance, film/video, music, and theater—CalArts has championed creative excellence, critical reflection, and the development of new forms and expressions.

The CalArts Marketing and Communications team seeks to inspire meaningful, lifelong connections, and engagement across our community of artists and external audiences to support and achieve CalArts’ mission—to transform ourselves, each other, and the world. Through the design, development, and implementation of strategic communications that inform, educate, and build support, we advance the Institute's vision and goals as articulated in the 2020 Strategic Framework. We provide leadership, expertise, tools, and creative direction to CalArtians who communicate internally and externally on the Institute's behalf. Our professional staff works collaboratively with our schools and offices to advance CalArts’ reputation and expand its local, national, and international reach. We manage and operate core communication channels, maintain communication with various constituencies and facilitate crisis communication. Through the telling of authentic stories about people and programs, we distinguish CalArts among arts and education institutions.

The Communications Specialist plays an important role on the Marketing and Communications team and across CalArts. They will be engaged with CalArts six schools and key offices to source and research stories, develop inspirational and informational communications, write and edit content for internal and external audiences across a multitude of platforms.

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• The successful candidate will have the demonstrated ability to build cross-campus relationships and to both source and share content.
• Write, edit, and assure quality in all written work.
• Plan, research, write, edit, and proof editorial content for external publications, websites, social media channels, advertising, reports, and special projects.
• Research, write and edit content for various internal newsletters, emails and the CalArts HUB.
• Identify opportunities to collaborate with CalArts’ schools and offices to translate their needs into effective communications and develop content strategies that engage a broad range of audiences.
• Assist other team members with developing and executing editorially led content.
• In collaboration with the content/editorial team, refine and maintain a CalArts tone of voice across internal and external communications.
• Ensure consistency in all editorial activity.
• Support project timelines by proactively following up on deadlines.
• Support executive communications including talking points, video scripts, speeches and other communications.
• Support crisis communications as needed.
• Assist in the development of story-driven organic and paid social media.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Valid driver’s license. Ability to represent and report for CalArts throughout the greater Los Angeles area.

SKILLS/ABILITIES:

• Superior written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated proofreading and/or copyediting skills.
• Exemplary understanding of the nuanced messaging required for various audiences and distribution channels.
• Demonstrated interviewing skills.
• Experience developing, implementing, and measuring editorial initiatives across print, web, and social platforms
• A proven ability to establish priorities, work on multiple timelines simultaneously, and to maintain flexibility in an often tight-deadline environment.
• Strong project management skills and excellent organizational skills
• Supports the building of an inclusive environment and the ability to build, develop, and manage positive working relationships with diverse teams.
• Passionate about details.
• Understanding of various style guides (including AP Style, Chicago) with ability to proofread for style, accuracy and presentation, coordinating edits from multiple contributors.
• Superior interpersonal skills.
• Being resilient and rebounding from setbacks and adversity when facing difficult situations.
• Demonstrates the initiative to both seek and propose solutions to problems.
• Track record of successfully working with peers and demonstrated collaborative environment.
• Ability to understand issues from a broad, strategic perspective.
• Working knowledge of applicable copyright and other laws pertaining to publications.
• Highly proficient with Google Suite and Microsoft Office.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism, marketing, communications, public relations, or related field.

EXPERIENCE:

• 2-4 years of experience in editorial, long and short-form content, or copywriting / editing capacity with the ability to adapt style and tone to fit various channels and audiences.
• Experience working with a marketing, editorial, content, or creative team in higher education, the arts, nonprofit, advertising or PR agency or other communications team.
• Experience with mailing programs and distribution lists.
• Experience with content management systems.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. The actual essential duties, responsibilities and qualifications may vary by department, reporting structure or other business needs. No inference should be drawn that a specific job duty, responsibility or qualification is non-essential by its absence from this description. This does not constitute a contract for employment CalArts management reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet business and organizational needs as necessary.

Application Instructions

This position is available immediately. If you are interested, please follow the link to Interfolio below:

Communications Specialist - ID:109985

Salary

$26.11 - $43.08 an hour

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

California Institute of the Arts shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a) and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.