Multimedia Content Specialist

The Rice University Department of Computer Science is seeking a Multimedia Content Specialist to tell the stories of the people, research, ideas, and community shaping computer science at Rice. This role combines strong editorial instincts with the creativity and technical capability of a multimedia content creator. The position identifies compelling stories across the department, determines how best to tell them for different audiences, and develops engaging content across platforms including video, social media, podcasts, web, and other digital channels. Rather than waiting for assignments, the Multimedia Content Specialist will build relationships with faculty, students, and partners, stay close to what is happening across the department, and develop a consistent pipeline of stories that strengthen the department’s visibility and public profile.

The position will have meaningful ownership of the department’s multimedia presence, including opportunities to develop recurring series and campaigns, shape content for specific audiences, and build the department’s YouTube and social media presence. The role works collaboratively with department and university partners while having the creative independence to take stories from initial idea through publication.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

All applicants should submit a portfolio or links to representative work demonstrating experience in multimedia storytelling and digital content creation. Examples may include video, social media content, podcasts, web-based storytelling, or other relevant work.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

The ideal candidate is a curious and resourceful storyteller with experience in media, digital content, communications, or a related creative environment. They know how to recognize a strong story, find the people and information needed to tell it well, and translate complex ideas into content that audiences want to watch, hear, or read.

They are comfortable moving between interviewing, writing, producing, and editing, and can work independently without requiring day-to-day creative direction. They bring strong editorial judgment, audience awareness, and the initiative to continually identify new content opportunities.

Computer science expertise is not required. More important is genuine curiosity and the ability to learn enough about technical subjects to ask good questions and communicate them accurately and engagingly to both technical and non-technical audiences.

Workplace Location:

This position is primarily in person, with some flexibility for remote work. Occasional evening and weekend work may be required. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

Hiring Range: $75,000 – $80,000/annually

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Two or more (2+) years of related professional experience in in multimedia production, digital media, video production, graphic design, communications, content development, or a related field.
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education above and beyond the minimum education requirement may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.

Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong interviewing, storytelling, reporting, and editing ability.
• Strong editorial judgment and the ability to identify compelling stories and communicate them effectively for different audiences.
• Ability to translate complex or technical information into clear, accurate, and engaging content.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive relationships with faculty, students, staff, and external partners.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with communications colleagues and other stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Sound judgment, curiosity, initiative, and attention to detail.

Preferences:

• Three or more (3+) years of professional experience in multimedia storytelling, journalism, video production, digital content creation, communications, or a related media environment.
• Experience developing multimedia content independently or as part of a media, agency, production, communications, or creator team.
• Demonstrated experience identifying compelling stories and developing content for different audiences and digital platforms.
• Proficiency with professional video editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, or comparable tools, as well as camera and audio equipment.
• Experience producing content for platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, podcasts, web, and other digital or social media channels.
• Demonstrated success developing an online audience, social media presence, or digital content series.
• Experience with podcast production and familiarity with emerging or AI-assisted editing and content-production tools.
• Experience communicating scientific, technical, research, or similarly complex subjects to broader audiences.

Essential Functions:

• Identifies, develops, and produces stories highlighting Computer Science faculty, students, research, achievements, programs, and departmental life for internal and external audiences.
• Creates multimedia content for digital platforms including video, social media, podcasts, web, and other communications channels, managing projects from initial concept through production and publication.
• Interviews faculty, students, researchers, alumni, and other sources and develops relationships across the department to maintain a strong pipeline of story and content opportunities.
• Develops recurring content series and audience-focused campaigns for prospective and current students, industry and government partners, the academic community, and other key audiences.
• Builds and maintains the department’s YouTube and social media presence, including identifying content opportunities, coordinating production, and maintaining a consistent flow of high-quality content.
• Covers departmental events, research developments, accomplishments, and other activities through appropriate written, video, audio, and social content.
• Collaborates with university communications colleagues, external science communicators, industry partners, and other stakeholders on multimedia and public-relations initiatives.
• Reviews platform analytics and audience engagement data to understand content performance and inform future content development.
• Provides guidance and coaching to faculty and students on effective multimedia communication and may coordinate workshops or other resources to support content development.
• Develops written and multimedia communications of moderate complexity in support of public and media relations, including web content, news stories, social media content, presentations, talking points, and related materials.
• Assists in developing and maintaining relationships with media, community, and other external audiences as appropriate.
• Performs all other duties as assigned.

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
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Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at facstaffada@rice.edu for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at jobs@rice.edu . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.