Communications Associate

Role Summary

The Communications Associate plans, executes, and evaluates communication projects for internal clients with a view to supporting revenue-generating activities and reputation building, using a strategic, integrated communications approach.

Day-to-day, the associate acts as the primary contact for medical centers CEOs and CMOs, LAU deans, faculty members, executives, and staff members, bringing projects to a team of creators (writers, designers, multimedia specialists, social media specialists, web developers, digital communications specialists).

In that process, the associate is expected to analyze requests and provide strategic advice to the client so that the requested projects achieve constructive, brand-reinforcing, and reputation-enhancing results for LAU.

In addition to fielding requests, the associate proactively identifies opportunities to get stories out and to otherwise utilize communications in the service of client initiatives or needs.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

• Builds professional working relationships with internal clients, fostering mutual trust and respect; frequently follows up on news and developments; identifies key communication needs and opportunities for amplification or storytelling
• Responds to small-scope requests (such as single-deliverable projects, branding, website updates, small events) in a timely manner, ensuring prompt execution and safeguarding quality. Such requests may occasionally include print publications for which the associate will coordinate content, design, and printing
• Responds to wider-scope needs by proposing communication plans that consider key strategic elements — context, audience, messaging, etc. — and utilizes an appropriate mix of media, channels, and deliverables. Secures buy-in from the stakeholders concerned
• Coordinates the development of new websites or website revamps with a team of specialists (coders, social media specialists, writers), and sees to web development contracts, specs, budgets and timelines
• Executes plans by briefing Stratcom team members and conferring with them, assessing resources, setting timetables, monitoring/reporting progress, keeping the client informed, and performing other tasks directly as needed. Delivers projects on time, on brief, and within the allocated budget
• Supervises and monitors the web content of assigned schools/departments, identifies key content needs, and supervises the management and maintenance of content through direct editing or through assigning duties to other team members
• Fosters an active and positive collaborative environment within the department, effectively empowering colleagues to participate actively in the fulfillment of client objectives
• Coordinates procurement processes for goods and services needed in the execution of his/her projects: reviews and tracks requisitions, provides (or conveys) specifications and recommendations, guides clients in filling out requisitions for creative services
• Provides monthly status reports to the director
• Performs other duties pertinent to this job as assigned

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, advertising, business or any related field
• Minimum 10 years of experience, 6 of which in a similar integrated and digital communications capacity (healthcare industry experience is preferred)
• Branding knowledge
• Deep knowledge of integrated communications and digital communications
• Project management experience
• Interpersonal, moderation, presentation, and negotiation skills
• Strong writing skills or other content development skills, preferably having published or edited inbound marketing material for tailored to particular audiences
• Acquaintance with collaborative workflows using online software
• Knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research
• Familiarity with basic photography, printing and graphic design
• Strong communication skills in English and Arabic

Interested candidates should email their CVs with a letter of interest outlining the applicant’s relevant experience to vacancy7@lau.edu.lb, specifying the job title in the subject line. A few samples of pertinent work demonstrating the candidate’s content marketing proficiency would be appreciated and considered in the selection process

CVs should include the exact month and year while listing the candidate’s professional experience and educational background.

Closing date for accepting applications is Thursday, August 15, 2024.

No applications will be accepted after this date, and only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

The Lebanese American University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.