Director, Communications

About the role

The Director of Communications is responsible for elevating the university’s reputation and enhancing regional and national visibility. This role is pivotal in developing relationships with local, regional, and national news media to secure strategic media placements.

Responsibilities

• Develops and manages editorial content across various platforms, including print and digital.
• Oversees a comprehensive social media plan and collaborates with team leaders in Marketing, Creative Services, and Operations to bolster marketing initiatives.
• Collaborates closely with the Associate Vice President of the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications (OSMC) to ensure a cohesive and impactful messaging strategy for both internal and external audiences.
• Provides expert counsel on media relations to the President, her cabinet, and faculty, supporting the university’s objectives related to recruitment, retention, and overall reputation.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in business, marketing, communications, or a related field preferred.
• 7 years of organizational leadership experience in media/public relations with increasing responsibility.
• 7 years of experience, and a record of success, managing through influence in a complex, diverse, deadline-driven, and team-oriented environment.
• 5 years of experience making prudent and strategic decisions and taking appropriate action in situations where there may not be clearly established criteria or standards.
• 3 years of experience in management and professional support of staff members.
• 5 years of experience creating and executing multi-channel communications plans that result in measurable and desired outcomes.
• 3 years of experience producing print publications, such as magazines.
• Strong media relations, executive and internal communications, issues management, and crisis communications skills.
• Superior writing and copy editing skills for various types of communications including news stories, media pitches, admissions marketing messages, internal newsletters, internal communications, and crisis communications.
• Excellent strategic planning and resource management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills, including public speaking and articulating ideas clearly and succinctly.
• Ability to create and execute communications plans.
• Familiarity with local and national media.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college/university in business, marketing, communications, or a related field preferred.
• 7 years of organizational leadership experience in media/public relations with increasing responsibility.
• 7 years of experience, and a record of success, managing through influence in a complex, diverse, deadline-driven, and team-oriented environment.
• 5 years of experience making prudent and strategic decisions and taking appropriate action in situations where there may not be clearly established criteria or standards.
• 3 years of experience in management and professional support of staff members.
• 5 years of experience creating and executing multi-channel communications plans that result in measurable and desired outcomes.
• 3 years of experience producing print publications, such as magazines.
• Strong media relations, executive and internal communications, issues management, and crisis communications skills.
• Superior writing and copy editing skills for various types of communications including news stories, media pitches, admissions marketing messages, internal newsletters, internal communications, and crisis communications.
• Excellent strategic planning and resource management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills, including public speaking and articulating ideas clearly and succinctly.
• Ability to create and execute communications plans.
• Familiarity with local and national media.