Open Rank Communications (Intermediate-Senior) Professional

Job Summary:

The Department of Pharmacology is actively engaged in uncovering fundamental mechanisms of biological systems, so that they can be targeted and manipulated in a therapeutic context to treat or prevent disease. Our mission is to advance the field of Pharmacology through innovative and impactful research, and through training the next generation of scientists. While the classic definition of Pharmacology is the study of drugs, their toxicology, and their therapeutic use, we define pharmacology more broadly.

The Department of Physiology and Biophysics is a vibrant and growing with a commitment to groundbreaking biomedical basic science research. Research interests in the Department currently include cardiac and skeletal muscle physiology, ion channel biophysics, molecular physiology, cell signaling, sensory and motor systems, and synaptic function. This position will play a crucial role in supporting the administrative and operational functions of the Department of Physiology and Biophysics.

We are seeking applications for an Open Rank (Intermediate-Senior Professional) Communications Administrator. This position is an integral part of the Department of Pharmacology and Department of Physiology and Biophysics administration teams. They will provide all departmental communication support including, but not limited to, department wide communications, quarterly newsletters, frequent social media posts, website updates, seminar announcements, maintaining internal and external list servs, and much more. This position will serve as a backup and collaborator with the Department of Pharmacology’s IT Senior Professional with website support. This individual will serve as a liaison between campus and departmental communication requirements. They will be part of a closely knitted administrative team who thrives under collaboration and a respectful work ethic.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage and update departmental websites, ensuring timely, accurate, and engaging content related to research, news, and events.

• Develop and execute social media strategies, including creating regular content, engaging audiences, and growing departmental visibility.

• Translate complex scientific and research information into clear, compelling content for diverse audiences, including non-technical stakeholders.

• Track, analyze, and report on performance metrics across digital platforms (website, social media, newsletters) and implement optimization strategies.

• Produce and manage a recurring departmental newsletter highlighting research, faculty achievements, and institutional impact.

• Coordinate and support communications for departmental activities such as seminars, recruitment efforts, and community events.

• Develop strategic content and storytelling that highlights research impact and supports philanthropic and donor engagement efforts.

• Engage and maintain relationships with alumni by creating targeted communications, highlighting alumni achievements, and supporting outreach initiatives.

• Collaborate with campus communications, alumni relations, and development teams to align messaging, branding, and outreach strategies.

• Ensure all communications comply with university branding standards, policies, and best practices.

• Provide administrative and operational support, including event documentation (photos/videos), scheduling, and general office coordination.

Work Location:

Hybrid – this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 4 days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings.

Why Join Us:

Located on the beautiful University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and near the Rocky Mountains, the Departments of Pharmacology and Physiology and Biophysics are housed in the Research 1 North and South buildings. We are two of six basic science departments on campus. We value the ability to engage effectively with students, faculty, and staff of diverse backgrounds. The candidate will have the opportunity to help contribute towards the success of our rapidly growing Departments. Both Departments have recently hired several new faculty. The Department of Pharmacology has continuously ranked among the top ten Pharmacology departments across the nation for NIH funding to individual researchers and academic institutions by the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options

• Dental: Multiple plan options

• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision

• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay

• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year

• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)

• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)

• Holiday Days: 10/year

• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses

• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Intermediate Professional:

• A bachelor’s degree in marketing, journalism, public relations, communications, business administration, business, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.

• 1 year of professional level experience in communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field.

Senior Professional:

• A bachelor’s degree in marketing, journalism, public relations, communications, business administration, business, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.

• 2 years of professional level experience in communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field.

A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using social media platforms and social/digital media management tools (e.g., Sprout Social, Hubspot, Loomly or similar).

• Experience working in a research-intensive environment, such as higher education, academic medicine, or scientific/clinical settings.

• Demonstrated ability to translate complex scientific or technical information into clear, engaging content for diverse audiences.

• Experience developing stories or creative concepts from ideation through publication.

• Experience with content management systems (e.g., Sitefinity).

• Experience engaging with alumni populations, including developing content, managing communications, or supporting alumni relations initiatives.

• Experience supporting or contributing to philanthropic or donor engagement efforts, including developing content that communicates impact and advances fundraising goals.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to synthesize and communicate complex research concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Strong storytelling skills with the ability to craft compelling narratives that highlight research impact and resonate with external stakeholders, including donors.

• Understanding of or ability to quickly learn the research enterprise, including faculty activities, funding structures, and academic priorities.

• Ability to build and sustain relationships with alumni and leverage those connections to enhance community engagement and support departmental priorities.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.

• Outstanding customer service skills.

• Inquisitive, self-starter with the ability to work independently while also contributing to team efforts.

• Professional, service-oriented, meticulous, and detail oriented. Readily takes ownership and responsibility for work.

• Excellent writing, copy editing, and proofreading skills.

• Able to manage a diverse workload under deadline pressure.