Narrative Change Strategist Job at Elon University
Position Details
Position Information
Position Title
Narrative Change Strategist
Requisition Number
20122493
Type of Employment
Full-Time Regular
Number Of Months
12
Months Employed
Number of Hours per Day/Week
40
Daily Hours
Position Summary Information
Summary of Position
Bringing Theory to Practice (BT2P) is a national initiative, hosted at Elon University, that works to renew higher education through collaborative innovation, advocacy, and movement-building. We believe that undergraduate education should be grounded in active learning, democratic and civic engagement, meaningful preparation for work, the well-being of the whole person, and inclusive excellence. We believe that students from every background and in every institution deserve such purposeful education and the support needed to succeed in it. And we believe that this commitment to equitable, holistic, engaged learning requires transformative change in higher education.
The Narrative Change Strategist will play a key role in BT2P’s core effort, the Paradigm Project, a seven-year initiative for which funding is secured through May 2025. The goal of the project is to catalyze systemic change through integrative design, movement-building, and broaden the public narrative about the purposes and future of higher education. Reporting to the Director of BT2P and working collaboratively with BT2P staff, the Narrative Change Strategist will lead the development of the project’s narrative change, communications, and public outreach strategies. They will generally oversee and periodically contribute to storytelling about the future of higher education, current educational innovations, and the goals of the Paradigm Project, and they will help to create key tools and resources for the project’s movement-building work. The Narrative Change Strategist will also supervise the Communications Coordinator, charged with direct operational oversight of project and BT2P communications.
The Narrative Change Strategist will play a core role in an ambitious project for which narrative and communications strategy are not just tools of change but primary goals of change. The role requires a capacity for collaboration and complex relationship-building and strong interest in the challenges, purposes, and future of higher education. It is a full-time position that can be either fully on-campus at Elon University or hybrid with regular campus visits.
Benefits of Working at Elon University
Benefits of Working at Elon University
As an Elon University employee, you’ll join an internationally acclaimed university with a commitment to fostering a thriving community. Ranked among the most innovative, creative and best-run universities in the nation, Elon’s personal approach to education extends to employees, whose growth, professional development and success is a hallmark of our training and advancement opportunities.
Elon University’s home is the charming town of Elon, North Carolina, a small, friendly community located a short distance from the beach and the mountains, and among the vibrant cities of Greensboro, Raleigh and Durham. In addition to the beautiful canopy of historic oak trees iconic to our campus, you’ll find boundless opportunities for family-friendly recreation, cultural events and outdoor activities. Hiking, water sports, fine dining and entertainment are just a few of the many happenings in the Elon area, making the region one of the nation’s premier travel destinations.
Employees at Elon enjoy a generous and comprehensive benefits package that includes:
- 28 annual days off, including holidays and vacation.
- Immediate tuition remission for employees.
- Retirement plan with an 8 percent contribution from the university.
- Immediate eligibility for health, dental and vision insurance, along with free acute care and lab services at our onsite Health & Wellness Clinic.
- Free use of campus fitness facilities.
- Free admission to musical and theater performances, guest speakers, religious and ethnic observances, recitals, art exhibitions, entertainment and our Division I Phoenix athletics.
Eligibility for tuition remission at Elon for spouses, qualifying domestic partners and dependents begins at three years of service. After four years of employment, eligibility begins for participation in the Tuition Exchange, a national scholarship exchange program that enables dependents to enroll in nationally recognized partner colleges and universities.
Elon values and celebrates the diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences and perspectives of our community members. As an equal opportunity employer, Elon’s principles of diversity extend to race and gender identity, age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion, and other aspects of one’s identity. At Elon, our employees respect human differences, passion for lifelong learning, emphasis on personal integrity and an ethic of service.
Education Requirements
Graduate degree in a relevant degree desirable. BA required.
Degree/Major
Length of Experience
5+ years experience in using narrative and communications to advance and change in nonprofit, policy, social change, higher-educational or other relevant contexts
Supervisory Experience
No
Supervisory Experience Detail
Special Skills or Experience
- 5+ years experience in using narrative and communications to advance and change in nonprofit, policy, social change, higher-educational or other relevant contexts
- Graduate degree in a relevant degree desirable. BA required.
- Sustained interest in the issues, challenges, and opportunities for change in higher education
- A demonstrable commitment to equitable, engaged, holistic education and the values, goals, and change strategies of the Paradigm Project.
- Experience in strategic messaging and setting strategic communication priorities
- Experience and effective communications skills for addressing public, professional, and academic audiences in a wide range of platforms and media
- Experience managing a communications team and diverse communications platforms
- Strong capacity for team-based decision-making and reflection and for building complex collaborations within and beyond BT2P.
- Strong capacity to meld practical, effective action with continued reflection, learning, and adaptation
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as both an organizational value and a goal of higher education change
Special Instructions to Applicants
Along with a cover letter, resume/curriculum vitae, and references, please submit at least one example of relevant writing, editing, and/or creative content and at least one example of a narrative-change, messaging, or communications campaign. There is no deadline for applying, but consideration of candidates will begin on April 14.
For questions, contact David Scobey, Director, Bringing Theory to Practice (scobey@bttop.org).
Posting Detail Information
Posting Date
03/15/2023
Closing Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Position Description
Position Description
This section is required and must be completed.
General Purpose of Position
Bringing Theory to Practice (BT2P) is a national initiative, hosted at Elon University, that works to renew higher education through collaborative innovation, advocacy, and movement-building. We believe that undergraduate education should be grounded in active learning, democratic and civic engagement, meaningful preparation for work, the well-being of the whole person, and inclusive excellence. We believe that students from every background and in every institution deserve such purposeful education and the support needed to succeed in it. And we believe that this commitment to equitable, holistic, engaged learning requires transformative change in higher education.
The Narrative Change Strategist will play a key role in BT2P’s core effort, the Paradigm Project, a seven-year initiative for which funding is secured through May 2025. The goal of the project is to catalyze systemic change through integrative design, movement-building, and broaden the public narrative about the purposes and future of higher education. Reporting to the Director of BT2P and working collaboratively with BT2P staff, the Narrative Change Strategist will lead the development of the project’s narrative change, communications, and public outreach strategies. They will generally oversee and periodically contribute to storytelling about the future of higher education, current educational innovations, and the goals of the Paradigm Project, and they will help to create key tools and resources for the project’s movement-building work. The Narrative Change Strategist will also supervise the Communications Coordinator, charged with direct operational oversight of project and BT2P communications.
The Narrative Change Strategist will play a core role in an ambitious project for which narrative and communications strategy are not just tools of change but primary goals of change. The role requires a capacity for collaboration and complex relationship-building and strong interest in the challenges, purposes, and future of higher education. It is a full-time position that can be either fully on-campus at Elon University or hybrid with regular campus visits.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a strategic campaign to advance narrative change about higher education in alignment with the goals and values of the Paradigm Project
- Develop and implement a communications plan that effectively addresses diverse audiences, both within and beyond higher education, about the Paradigm Project, BT2P, and systemic improvement in higher education
- Work collaboratively with BT2P staff to prioritize outreach, publicity, communications, and narratives that most effectively build the visibility and impact of the Paradigm Project and its goals
- Develop, commission, and periodically contribute stories about the Paradigm Project and educational innovation for existing and emerging BT2P platforms, higher education media, and general public-affairs media
- Work with BT2P staff to develop a network of journalists, thought leaders, and media makers for stories about educational innovation and the Paradigm Project
- Work collaboratively with BT2P staff and project partners to develop and design toolkits and resources for movement-building within higher education.
- Oversee the general effectiveness of BT2P communications, including existing platforms (such as the BT2P website and biweekly Bringing It newsletter), emerging platforms (such as the Way Forward podcast), and the possible launch of new platforms (such as a Medium channel)
- Supervise the Communications Coordinator in their direct management of BT2P digital communications operations, and work with the Communications Coordinator to enhance the organizational visibility of BT2P.
Education and Experience
- 5+ years experience in using narrative and communications to advance and change in nonprofit, policy, social change, higher-educational or other relevant contexts
- Graduate degree in a relevant degree desirable. BA required.
- Sustained interest in the issues, challenges, and opportunities for change in higher education
- A demonstrable commitment to equitable, engaged, holistic education and the values, goals, and change strategies of the Paradigm Project.
- Experience in strategic messaging and setting strategic communication priorities
- Experience and effective communications skills for addressing public, professional, and academic audiences in a wide range of platforms and media
- Experience managing a communications team and diverse communications platforms
- Strong capacity for team-based decision-making and reflection and for building complex collaborations within and beyond BT2P.
- Strong capacity to meld practical, effective action with continued reflection, learning, and adaptation
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as both an organizational value and a goal of higher education change
Does this position require driving for the university?
No
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Along with a cover letter, resume/curriculum vitae, and references, please submit at least one example of relevant writing, editing, and/or creative content and at least one example of a narrative-change, messaging, or communications campaign. There is no deadline for applying, but consideration of candidates will begin on April 14.
For questions, contact David Scobey, Director, Bringing Theory to Practice (scobey@bttop.org).
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