Communications Specialist

The Communications Specialist works with multiple departments within the company to research, write, and edit accurate and engaging communications to internal employees and external clients. This role also provides support, as necessary, for Requests for Proposals (RFPs), to ensure that all communications and proposals meet the company’s high standards of quality.

This position requires work in support of the Company’s contract with the United States Department of Education (“ED”). As such, the United States Government requires that any applicant for this position must complete United States Government security clearance. Effective June 1, 2018, ED has informed Nelnet that security clearance applications for foreign nationals are not being accepted or processed. In light of this direction from ED, Nelnet will be unable to hire applicants without United States citizenship for such positions.

Responsibilities:

1. Create effective communication strategies, including evaluating their effectiveness to inform future strategies. 
2. Understand, organize, and create compelling communications for the appropriate audiences.
3. Track communication requests and manage projects from beginning to end – including attending meetings, asking questions, generating drafts, editing copy, and working with the proper stakeholders to distribute finalized and approved communications. 
4. Establish priorities and dates for information gathering, writing, review, and approval. Coordinate requirements with content contributors and contribute project status information to communications team meetings. 
5. Assist Communications Manager and/or other communications staff with large-scale projects and initiatives. 
6. Identify sources of information and conduct interviews of subject matter experts and convert information into communications appropriate for the audience(s), internal and external. 
7. Stay abreast of changes in product/program offerings, translating those updates to incorporate changes/enhancements into communications to ensure information is current. 
8. Gather competitive information and conduct analysis to identify advantages/disadvantages to help better position the company for future opportunities and competitive situations. 
9. Develop and maintain communication libraries; review and update content as needed to ensure accuracy of information. 
10. Support the RFP process, when needed, through editorial oversite and writing assistance.

EDUCATION:

Bachelor’s degree in English, Technical Writing, Journalism, Communications, Marketing, or related field.

EXPERIENCE:

1. Minimum of four years of professional writing experience, to include communications, marketing, proposal responses, and/or technical writing, or other forms of content development. 
2. Internal communications-related experience, including strategy, project management, and project execution. 
3. Business-to-Business communications and/or marketing-related experience, including marketing/brand strategy, content strategy, content execution, and, and project management. 
4. Event coordination experience, including planning, budgeting, and execution. 
5. Extensive experience with MS Office, including: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and SharePoint, as well as experience working with databases and creating documents and formatting in Adobe Acrobat.

COMPETENCIES – SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITIES:

1. Superior writing skills. 
2. Strong editing and proofreading skills. 
3. Ability to think beyond the task at hand and take initiative. 
4. Exceptional organizational skills. 
5. Team player with the ability to handle tasks independently to closure. 
6. Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills. 
7. Strong sense of urgency and the ability to adapt and work on multiple projects in a fast-paced environment while producing quality work and meeting deadlines. 
8. Ability to effectively express value propositions, differentiators, and strengths of the organization and related offerings. 
9. Proven ability to quickly create concise, well-written communications. 
10. Ability to produce professional-quality MS Word documents in a timely manner. 
11. Detailed with a high level of accuracy. 
12. High degree of integrity and the ability to recognize the requirements for confidentiality. 
13. Ability to work well with individuals at all levels within the organization to gather data. 
14. Excellent interpersonal and client relations skills, as well as strong verbal and written communication skills.