Communications Associate

Stanford Department of Medicine (DoM) is seeking a Communications Associate (Unit/Program Communicator 1) to support the design, creation, and development of communications deliverables to execute on departmental communication strategy. The DoM is comprised of over 2,000 faculty, staff, and trainees with conferences, events, internal and external speakers, and communications channels with a reach well beyond that of the local community. This individual will continually support in the production and timely distribution of written and visual communications for department websites, publications, and social media channels.  

The Associate will report to the Director of Communications, and work closely with all members of the central communications team, especially those with a regular presence on campus; they will become an invaluable support to the team’s video and audio producers, website manager, and social media engagers, and they will even have the opportunity to initiate content production projects of their own, and work with team members in the implementation and distribution of that original content. They will: serve as primary contact of the central communications team’s Zendesk ticketing support system, directing inquiries in a timely fashion to the best team contacts for resolution; ensure the timely layout and publication of web stories on the department website; and they will seek out opportunities while on campus to tell stories, produce content, and engage campus and remote DoM audiences. 

The successful candidate will ideally have some prior professional communications experience (even if their title was not explicitly communications focused) and some familiarity with the systems commonly used to produce content for contemporary professional publications (e.g. Mailchimp, Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop), Adobe Experience Manager/Wordpress/Drupal, Canva, Flickr, Zendesk, Asana, and/or social media platforms (Twitter/X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram/Threads, YouTube). They must demonstrate a strong desire to learn all there is to know about the operations of an academic communications team, and to develop—from the position of team float and generalist—unique skills and strengths that will undoubtedly grow with time. 

This position is a hybrid position, which will require working from a Stanford location at least two days a week or 8 days a month, based on mutual agreement. 

Core duties include:

• Assist and support in day-to-day activities for communication deliverables in an area of expertise or for a unit or program.
• Assist in the production and timely distribution of content for applicable unit channels.
• Assist in the development of materials according to defined requirements using software applications and mediums.
• Support the production of publications and other communication vehicles, adhering to deadlines.
• Perform other administrative duties as assigned.
• Work in collaboration with Institutional Communicators on media relations content.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A strong desire to learn the in’s and out’s of all operational areas of a central communications team required.
• Hands on professional experience working in content production systems utilized by the central comms team (e.g. Mailchimp, Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop), Adobe Experience Manager/Wordpress/Drupal, Canva, Flickr, Zendesk, Asana, and/or social media platforms (Twitter/X, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram/Threads, YouTube) preferred.
• Familiarity with Stanford scheduling, communication and financial systems (Outlook, Slack, Oracle) a plus.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE (REQUIRED):

• Bachelor’s degree and one year of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (REQUIRED):

• Demonstrated written and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated planning and/or project management and organizational skills.
• May demonstrate proficiency and creative or technical ability in a particular field.
• Ability to be self-directed and take initiative.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequently stand/walk, sit, use a telephone, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, speaking.
• Occasionally grasp forcefully, writing by hand.
• Rarely sort/file paperwork.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact Stanford University Human Resources at [email protected]. For all other inquiries, please submit a contact form .

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Occasional work on evenings and weekends.

WORKING STANDARDS:

• Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.
• Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.
• Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable University policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the University’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu/ .

The expected pay range for this position is $34.13 – $40.87 per hour. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Why Stanford is for You
Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

• Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
• A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
• A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
• Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
• Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more.

Stanford is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.