Visual Media Specialist

Job Description

The Visual Media Specialist is a creative storyteller and content creator who will help shape the digital presence of Pamplin’s graduate programs and executive education programs and connect prospective graduate students to the Virginia Tech experience. This position primarily supports graduate enrollment goals through visual and multimedia storytelling that highlights our students, programs, and outcomes across digital channels- including email, web, social, digital advertising, and video.

Based at Virginia Tech’s Academic Building One in the Washington, D.C. metro area, the Visual Media Specialist reports to the Associate Director of Digital Marketing and Media in the Office of Graduate & Executive Education and works closely with colleagues in the central Pamplin Marketing and Communications Team and with partners across the university. The role also collaborates with faculty, staff, and students to develop compelling marketing collateral that elevates the visibility of Pamplin’s graduate education and executive education initiatives.

This role is ideal for an early-career creative professional with a passion for design, visual storytelling, social media, and video production. This position represents an opportunity to join a collaborative team, grow your professional skills, hone your creative talents, and make a meaningful contribution to Virginia Tech’s efforts to recruit and educate the next generation of Hokies.

Work Location & Flexibility:
To ensure comprehensive training and integration into our college culture, the Visual Media Specialist will be fully on-site for the first six months. After this period, the role may shift to a hybrid schedule with up to one day of telework per week, subject to departmental needs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Create and edit day-to-day multimedia content (copy, graphics, photography, and video) for program websites, email, social media, and digital advertising, using Canva and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Capture photos and video at events and on campus (e.g., student features, alumni spotlights, “day-in-the-life” stories) and perform editing and production for use across channels.
• Assist with social media planning, scheduling, and engagement, ensuring content aligns with the graduate academic calendar, recruitment cycles, and major events.
• Maintain organized digital asset libraries, including naming, tagging, and archiving files so photos, video, and design files are easy to find and reuse.
• Ensure that visual materials follow Virginia Tech branding and accessibility standards.
• Assist in the development and creation of marketing materials-such as brochures, one-pagers, presentations, and web assets-that maintain brand consistency and support enrollment goals.
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and partners across Virginia Tech to schedule shoots, gather stories, and ensure authentic, student-centered content.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, graphic design, multimedia, or a related field; or equivalent level of experience.
• Experience producing digital content for web and/or social media (professional, agency, or substantial student/portfolio work).
• Experience with video editing software (e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut, or comparable tools) and short-form video creation for platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, or TikTok.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with higher education, student affairs, or student-facing communications and marketing.
• Experience supporting recruitment or enrollment marketing efforts, including use of marketing automation platforms and basic performance metrics.
• Strong visual storytelling skills, including photography/video production, composition, typography, and brand alignment.
• Proficiency with design and content tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud) and familiarity with web content management systems.
• Working knowledge of digital accessibility and inclusive design principles (e.g., WCAG) as applied to visual and multimedia content.
• High level of technical curiosity, including willingness to learn new tools and basic web technologies (e.g., HTML/CSS).
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with stakeholders.

Pay Band

4

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

starting at $50,000, commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40

Review Date

3/11/2026; open until filled

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Samantha Gagnet at [email protected] during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.