Description The Resilient Energy Technology & Infrastructure (RETI) Consortium at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Director of Strategic Communications.
About the OpportunityWest Virginia University seeks a Director of Strategic Communications to ensure that the message, story, and impact of the Resilient Energy Technology and Infrastructure (RETI) Consortium are told clearly, consistently, and compellingly to the audiences that matter most. RETI is a National Science Foundation Regional Innovation Engine focused on advancing industrial grid resilience and energy efficiency across West Virginia and western Pennsylvania, uniting more than 60 partners and a roughly $175 million federally and privately funded portfolio.
Reporting to the Chief Operations Officer, the Director of Strategic Communications will identify the consortium's primary stakeholders, develop and execute communications strategies tailored to each, and work across RETI's four core verticals - technology, commercialization, workforce, and community engagement - to surface activities, amplify successes, and weave them into a cohesive narrative about RETI's impact. The Director will be the principal storyteller of the consortium, translating complex technical, economic, and community outcomes into clear, memorable messages for federal agencies, state policymakers, industry partners, capital providers, academic collaborators, community members, and the public.
We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:
- 37.5-hour work week
- 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
- 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
- 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
- WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
- 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
- Wellness programs
What You'll Do- Strategic Communications and Stakeholder Identification
- Identify and map RETI's primary stakeholder audiences, including the National Science Foundation, federal and state agencies, congressional offices, industry partners, capital providers, academic collaborators, workforce organizations, community leaders, the press, and the public.
- Develop a comprehensive strategic communications plan that defines messaging priorities, channels, cadence, and engagement tactics for each stakeholder group.
- Establish and maintain a messaging architecture that articulates RETI's mission, value proposition, and impact in language tailored to each audience.
- Continuously refine stakeholder strategies based on engagement data, feedback, and evolving consortium priorities.
- Storytelling and Cohesive Narrative Development
- Serve as the principal storyteller for RETI, translating complex technical, commercial, workforce, and community work into clear and compelling narratives.
- Build and maintain a cohesive impact story that integrates progress and outcomes from across all four core verticals - technology, commercialization, workforce, and community engagement - into a unified consortium narrative.
- Identify and develop signature stories, case studies, and impact features that bring the consortium's work to life for diverse audiences.
- Ensure that the consortium's public-facing voice is consistent, authentic, and aligned with the values of West Virginia University and consortium partners.
- Cross-Vertical Coordination
- Partner closely with the Chief Technology Officer, Chief Commercialization Officer, Chief Workforce Officer, and community engagement leads to understand activities, milestones, and successes within each vertical.
- Work proactively across the leadership team and partner organizations to surface emerging stories, technical advances, partnership wins, training cohort results, and community outcomes.
- Translate vertical-specific accomplishments into broader narratives that demonstrate RETI's integrated value to industry, government, and the region.
- Coordinate with partner communications teams across consortium organizations to amplify shared messaging and avoid conflicting or duplicative communications.
- Content Development and Channel Management
- Develop and oversee the production of high-quality communications content, including press releases, op-eds, website content, social media, newsletters, impact reports, briefing documents, and multimedia assets.
- Manage the consortium's digital presence, including the RETI website, social media channels, and email communications, ensuring content is timely, accurate, and aligned with brand standards.
- Develop talking points, speeches, and presentation materials for the CEO and senior leadership team.
- Oversee design, video, photography, and other creative resources, working with internal staff and external vendors as needed.
- Media Relations and Public Affairs
- Develop and maintain relationships with national, regional, and trade press covering energy, advanced manufacturing, innovation, workforce development, and Appalachian economic development.
- Manage media inquiries, press releases, and proactive media outreach to advance the consortium's visibility and reputation.
- Prepare consortium executives and subject matter experts for interviews, press events, and public appearances.
- Monitor news coverage, social media, and public discourse related to consortium priorities and provide regular intelligence to leadership.
- Stakeholder Engagement Communications
- Develop tailored communications products for federal, state, industry, academic, and community audiences, including stakeholder newsletters, briefing memos, impact dashboards, and event materials.
- Support the CEO, Chief Operations Officer, and Chief Officers in preparing for board meetings, congressional briefings, partner convenings, and community events.
- Support consortium engagement with West Virginia University leadership, the WVU University Relations team, and partner communications staff to ensure aligned messaging.
- Develop community-facing communications that build trust, transparency, and engagement with residents in West Virginia, western Pennsylvania, and central Appalachia.
- Brand and Editorial Standards
- Work with RETI's existing graphics and media contract to maintain RETI's brand identity, visual standards, and editorial style guide.
- Manage the consortium's communications archive and asset library so that materials are accessible, current, and well organized.
Qualifications- Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, English, public affairs, or a related field.
- A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the following:
- Progressively responsible strategic communications experience, including experience leading communications functions or major communications initiatives.
- Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
- All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities- Demonstrated experience developing and executing strategic communications plans across diverse stakeholder audiences, including federal, state, industry, academic, and community partners.
- Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical, scientific, or policy content into clear, compelling narratives for non-specialist audiences.
- Outstanding writing and editing skills across a range of formats, including press releases, executive communications, op-eds, web content, and reports.
- Demonstrated experience managing media relations, including national, regional, and trade press.
- Demonstrated experience managing digital channels, including websites, social media, and email marketing.
- Experience preparing senior executives for media interviews, public speaking engagements, and stakeholder meetings.
- Strong organizational, project management, and prioritization skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and deadlines simultaneously.
- A demonstrated commitment to accuracy, integrity, and inclusive communications.
Preferred Qualifications - Master's degree in communications, journalism, public affairs, business, or a related field.
- Experience leading communications for an energy, advanced manufacturing, technology, research, higher education, or innovation ecosystem organization.
- Experience communicating about federally funded research initiatives, including familiarity with NSF, DOE, EDA, or similar federal programs.
- Experience developing communications strategies that span multiple thematic areas and translate them into a unified organizational narrative.
- Experience working in or with West Virginia, western Pennsylvania, or central Appalachia, or a demonstrated understanding of communities undergoing industrial transition.
- Experience managing communications staff, agency relationships, and creative vendors.
- Experience producing multimedia content (video, photography, podcasts, infographics) and overseeing creative production.
- Familiarity with content management systems, analytics tools, and communications platforms (e.g., WordPress, HubSpot, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, Sprout Social, Cision).
- Valid driver's license.
- This position is based in Morgantown, West Virginia, on the campus of West Virginia University. The role requires regular travel across West Virginia and western Pennsylvania to engage with consortium partners, industry sites, and community stakeholders, as well as periodic travel to Washington, D.C., and other locations to support media engagements, federal program reviews, and consortium events. Standard professional working conditions apply, with the expectation of occasional extended hours during major announcements, events, and reporting periods.
