Job Description
Posting number: 2026-01835
Department: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation System
Job classification: ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT
Posting type: Open
Categories: Administration, Telecommunications, Marketing, Research, Higher Education, Business, Communications
Title Operations Coordinator (Communications & Marketing Specialist)
Position Number 0096701T
Hiring Unit Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation
Location UH System Offices
Date Posted: August 20, 2026
Closing Date: September 4, 2026 @ 11:59pm
Band: B
Salary salary schedules and placement information
Full Time/Part Time: Full-time
Month 11-month
Temporary/Permanent: Temporary
Other Conditions: This position is annually renewable contingent upon satisfactory performance and/or availability of funding.
Duties and Responsibilities
- **Provides administrative support to programmatic and related functions of the Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (OVPRI).
- **Serves as one of the liaisons between the OVPRI and its reporting offices to the other campuses, government agencies, industry, and the general public.
- **Leads marketing, outreach and engagement efforts for program activities and events. Develops materials, presentations, creates, edits and manages branding, website content, scripts, social media strategy, newsletters and various multimedia resources. Coordinates with staff on sourcing and approving content and assigning tasks.
- **Serves as project leader in response to system requirements that requires creativity, initiative, and the ability to work independently to accomplish the objectives set forth by the Vice President.
- **Work closely with the Vice President and the senior leadership to ensure consistent messaging and integrated communications in support of the University's and the OVPRI strategic priorities.
- **Independently identifies and recommends timely solutions to issues and program possibilities that require knowledge of the University's research strategic objectives, OVPRI expectations, and operating priorities and needs.
- **Develops and maintains effective working relationships with the media, receiving and responding to inquiries, answering questions directly or referring media to appropriate resources.
- **Promotes research within the business community by developing working relationships with business leaders and coordinating events to encourage interest in UH research initiatives.
- **Conducts legislative research, schedules and coordinates meetings and site visits, assembles and prepares legislation for the Vice President and coordinates the submission of testimonies on bills that the OVPRI serves as lead on.
- **Prepares legislative response letters and memorandum on behalf of the Vice President as appropriate.
- **Develops and maintains effective working relationships and lines of communication with the University community, the Legislature, the Board of Regents, faculty, staff, and students on all legislative and community matters affecting the OVPRI.
- **Coordinates and/or participates in project teams to plan, develop and implement legislative and community related projects.
- Other duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications
- Possession of a baccalaureate degree in business administration, communications, or related fields and 5 year(s) of progressively responsible professional experience with responsibilities for higher education administration and research administrative functions; or any equivalent combination of education and/or professional work experience which provides the required education, knowledge, skills and abilities as indicated.
- Considerable working knowledge of principles, practices and techniques in the area of university and research administration as demonstrated by the broad knowledge of the full range of pertinent standard and evolving concepts, principles and methodologies.
- Considerable working knowledge and understanding of applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and theories and systems associated with university administration and research.
- Demonstrated ability to resolve wide ranging complex problems through the use of creative reasoning and logic to accurately determine the cause of the problems and the resolution of the problems in an effective, innovative and timely manner.
- Demonstrated ability to interpret and present information and ideas clearly and accurately in writing, verbally and by preparation of reports and other materials.
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team leaders and members, and individuals.
- Demonstrated ability to operate a personal computer and apply word processing software.
- For supervisory work, demonstrated ability to lead subordinates, manage work priorities and projects, and manage employee relations.
- Demonstrated ability to translate technical information and terminology into language that can be understood by persons unfamiliar with such information.
Desirable Qualifications
- Demonstrated knowledge of University of Hawai‘i policies and procedures.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Research Corporation of the University of Hawai‘i policies and procedures.
- Demonstrated leadership with strategic, policy, and planning experience at a multi-campus higher education system.
- Work experience with and knowledge of the legislature and state government.
- Knowledge of University of Hawai‘i public affairs, media relations, special events, and marketing procedure.
- Familiarity with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
To Apply:
Select the "Apply" button in the top right corner of the screen; first-time NeoGov users will need to create an account. Please ensure your application includes the following materials:
- Cover Letter: A letter detailing your interest and how you meet both the minimum and desirable qualifications. All minimum qualifications must be met by the closing date to be considered.
- Resume/CV: A current professional resume or curriculum vitae.
- Professional References: The names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three (3) professional references.
- Unofficial Transcripts: Copies of unofficial transcripts are required for the application, though official versions must be provided upon hire. Please note that copies of diplomas and academic summaries are not acceptable substitutes.
- Foreign Credential Evaluation: For degrees earned outside the U.S., you must provide a course-by-course analysis and equivalency statement from a NACES-member agency at your own expense.
Important Note: To protect your privacy, do not include any photos, Social Security Numbers, or dates of birth in your packet. Only the most recent application will be reviewed, and all submitted materials become the property of the University of Hawai’i. Please ensure all documents are complete and legible to be considered by the search committee. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Inquiries: Melissa Arakawa; arakawam@hawaii.edu
Examples of duties
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at: https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
In accordance with Article 10 of the unit 08 collective bargaining agreement, bargaining unit members receive priority consideration for APT job vacancies. As a result, external or non BU 08 applicants may not be considered for some APT vacancies. BU 08 members with re-employment rights or priority status are responsible for informing the hiring unit of their status.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/
