Career Center

Pay Grade/Pay Range: 59 Monthly (exempt): - Minimum - $ 47590.44 Midpoint - $ 68993.64

Department/Organization: 701101 - VP Research

Normal Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am to 4:45pm

Job Summary: The Special Research Programs and Marketing Coordinator is responsible for supporting the Director in the execution of the vision and strategy for the Office for Research Initiatives & Communications. This position will oversee and execute all activities related to the development, administration, implementatio

Additional Department Summary: In June 2019, the Office for Research & Economic Development (ORED) launched a five-year strategic plan (2019-2024) for research at The University of Alabama (UA). The plan – emanating from UA’s goal to, “increase the University’s productivity and innovation in research, scholarship, and creative activities that impact economic and societal development,” – focuses on six strategic themes: (1) Research Environment, (2) Alabama Research Institutes, (3) Transformative Initiatives, (4) Translating Intellectual Property, (5) Economic and Business Engagement, and (6) Assessing Progress and Impact. The overarching goals of ORED’s plan are to double the research enterprise in five years and become one of the premier comprehensive research institutions in the southeastern United States. UA’s research enterprise has been surging higher for eight consecutive years. For the five-year period from 2014 to 2018, total sponsored awards grew by 85%. In the last three fiscal years (2019-2021), total sponsored awards increased by another 72%. This growth rate strengthens UA’s position as one of the fastest growing research institutions in the nation and is attributed to successful investments in infrastructure and world-class faculty, the establishment of signature research areas represented by the Alabama Research Institutes: Alabama Transportation Institute (ATI), Alabama Water Institute (AWI), Alabama Cyber Institute (ACI), Alabama Life Research Institute (ALRI), as well as the Alabama Analytical Research Center (AARC), all of which are under the ORED umbrella. Together, ORED and the Alabama Research Institutes are developing and leading major transformational research initiatives with local, state, national and international impact, as well as pursuing lasting economic development initiatives. ORED has now published two annual reports detailing progress made on this research strategic plan.

Also in June 2019, UA’s Economic Development Council, chaired by the Vice President for Research & Economic Development, announced the five-year economic development priorities and strategic goals for UA (2019-2024). Originating directly from UA’s mission, vision and strategic plan, the economic development priorities and strategic goals focus on four priority themes: (1) Provide Economic Development Services, (2) Prepare Current and Future Workforce and Retain Talent in the State, (3) Start, Recruit and Partner with Companies, and (4) Measure and Evaluate the Overall Impact of UA on the Statewide Economy. UA has now published two annual reports detailing progress made on this economic development plan.

ORED is at the helm of this unprecedented research and economic development growth and now seeks a Special Research Programs & Marketing Coordinator for the new Office for Research Initiatives & Communications. In close alignment and collaboration with the Director, all division-wide personnel including specifically the Alabama Research Institutes, and with the University’s Division of Strategic Communications, the Coordinator will execute activities related to the development, administration, implementation and maintenance of special research programs and tactical marketing and communication strategy.

Reporting directly to the Director for the Office for Research Initiatives & Communication, the Coordinator will have the following major responsibilities:

• Execute the vision and strategy for the Office for Research Initiatives & Communications, including creation and curation of key research data, public releases, presentations, research web-strategy, annual reports, ORED’s shared and protected electronic drive, and critical information relating to major new transformative research proposals and initiatives
• Oversee and execute all activities related to the development, administration, implementation and maintenance of ORED special programs, including:
o Faculty Research Showcase
o Faculty Research Day
o Industry Engagement Events
o Congressional Engagement Events
o The Vanguard Initiative for Undergraduate Research
o Undergraduate Research & Creative Activity Conference and corresponding Awards Ceremony
o Annual ORED Retreat
o Other programs and events, as warranted
• Provide and execute tactical marketing strategies for undergraduate research initiatives; engage students in various social media platforms to increase undergraduate research opportunities; create and maintain a campus-wide undergraduate research opportunity inventory; organize events that showcase and promote undergraduate research and its importance to UA and to external stakeholders
• Create and maintain a campus-wide Faculty Research Portfolio
• Develop content and information necessary for campus-wide and public dissemination of research and economic development activities, including real-time news and social media releases, and annual reports of the two division strategic plans
• Pertaining to research and economic development initiatives led by ORED, help develop and maintain comprehensive media relations, public relations, and internal communication strategies
• Continually research best practices, methods, and emerging technologies to ensure quality of ORED’s research initiatives and communications

Required Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and three years of experience; OR Master's degree and one year of experience.

Additional Required Department Minimum Qualifications: A candidate must meet all the following minimum qualifications. In exceptional circumstances, ORED may consider an exception based on an applicant’s extraordinary background and experiences that otherwise meet or exceed the stated minimum components. In this case, it is the responsibility of the applicant to articulate how their background and experiences meet or exceed the stated minimum components.

A master’s degree with at least five years of relevant professional experience and demonstration of successful performance in the following six required components:

1. Program management and/or project management, including managing a budget
2. Marketing and communications to a broad group of stakeholders, particularly those interested in research at UA
3. Ability to provide highly valued customer service to all stakeholders
4. Ability to design and execute effective public relations campaigns and initiatives
5. External communication of results, outcomes and impact of programs and initiatives via multiple media platforms
6. Experience in setting goals, tracking progress, and reporting on progress toward achieving goals.

Preferred Qualifications: Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to all the minimum qualifications, the preferred candidate will have one or more of the following:

1. Experience in the planning and coordination of large-scale events, conferences and training sessions
2. Experience in research grant writing and research communications and marketing
3. Experience in web strategy and website development and maintenance
4. Experience creating databases, guides, presentations, brochures, communication plans, newsletters and training programs
5. Strong analytical and critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze, summarize and effectively present data effectively to groups
6. Prior teaching and training experience of various learners.

Background Investigation Statement: Prior to hiring, the final candidate(s) must successfully pass a pre-employment background investigation and information obtained from social media and other internet sources. A prior conviction reported as a result of the background investigation DOES NOT automatically disqualify a candidate from consideration for this position. A candidate with a prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags will receive an individualized review of the prior conviction or negative behavioral red flags before a hiring decision is made.

Equal Employment Opportunity: The University of Alabama is an Equal Employment/Equal Educational Opportunity Institution. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment or volunteer status without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, genetic or family medical history information, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected basis, and will not be discriminated against because of their protected status. Applicants and employees of this institution are protected under Federal law from discrimination on several bases. Follow the link below to find out more. "EEO is the Law" Poster