Communications Specialist in Ames, Iowa at IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION

Join the Iowa State University Foundation in our mission to engage our community, inspire philanthropy, and steward resources to advance Iowa State University and its impact on Iowa and the world. We are seeking an organized, service-oriented individual to join our communications team.

As an essential member of the communications team, this position provides administrative and project support for all team members and will lead the project management of a designated portfolio of projects.

Core Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Organize meetings and provide support during meetings including scheduling meetings or conference calls with internal or external groups, providing detailed notes of meetings, and assisting with meeting preparation.
• Prepare business plans and budget for communications team.
• Track, monitor, and communicate budget expenditures; review planned/future expenditures; reconcile monthly budget reports with expenditures. Process invoices.
• Assist with returning phone calls and emails, answering questions from a variety of sources, and assisting with general requests. Acts as the point person for answering general knowledge questions from internal and external partners for the communications team.
• Provide backup coverage for the main foundation phone line.
• Provide project support by pulling reports from customer relationship management (Salesforce) database, tracking proposals, entering stewardship reports and contact reports into Salesforce, and other project support activities as needed.
• Assist in entering projects and timelines into project management software (Workfront) and lead project management of a designated portfolio of projects.
• Contribute to internal communications projects such as posting news articles and preparing/distributing newsletters.
• Variety of office tasks such as managing calendars, ordering/stocking and inventory of printed supplies, coordinating travel arrangements for team members, preparing appropriate forms and itineraries, etc.

Qualifications

Education & Work Experience

• 3-4 years of work experience related to employment area. Education may be substituted for years of work experience.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. Must be adaptable, flexible, and self-directed.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and ability to learn new software.
• Must be able to handle several activities simultaneously with attention to detail and adherence to deadlines and accuracy.
• Must adhere to strict confidentiality standards.

Travel: None

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Location: Ames, IA; potentially hybrid