Director of Strategic Content & Communications

About the Role

The Director of Strategic Content & Communications leads the execution of Del Mar College's content and communications strategy by leading integrated communications planning, directing creative production, and overseeing the department's day-to-day communications operations. Working closely with the Executive Director of Communications, this position translates strategic priorities into actionable communications plans that support institutional storytelling, community engagement, student success, and brand presence. The Director oversees the planning, coordination, and execution of communications initiatives across social media, digital signage, newsletters, email, video, institutional publications, and major campaigns. The position provides creative direction to the Social Media & Digital Content Specialist, manages vendor relationships and production schedules, and ensures communications projects are delivered on time, on brand, and aligned with institutional priorities. While serving as the department's operational lead, the Director develops high-profile communications deliverables, including Board presentations, institutional newsletters, campaign messaging, and other strategic communications requiring advanced writing, design, and editorial judgment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the execution of integrated communications strategies by translating communications priorities established by the Executive Director into coordinated communications plans, editorial calendars, messaging frameworks, and campaign implementation.
• Provide editorial leadership and creative direction to the Social Media & Digital Content Specialist to ensure communications are engaging, on brand, and aligned with institutional goals.
• Develop high-level communications deliverables, including Board presentations, institutional newsletters, campaign messaging, annual reports, presentations, and other strategic communications requiring advanced writing, design, and editorial judgment.
• Lead the planning, coordination, and execution of institutional communications initiatives across newsletters, email communications, digital engagement efforts, and other integrated communications that support institutional storytelling, student engagement, community outreach, enrollment initiatives, and College-wide campaigns.
• Coordinate communications implementation by managing editorial workflows, production schedules, creative reviews, and communications deliverables while collaborating with internal stakeholders, the Social Media & Digital Content Specialist, and external vendors to ensure projects are completed on time, on brand, and aligned with communications priorities established by the Executive Director.
• Evaluate communications performance through analytics, audience engagement, and campaign results. Prepare reports and recommendations that improve communications effectiveness, strengthen audience engagement, and support continuous improvement of the College's communications efforts.
• Research emerging communications trends, digital platforms, AI-assisted creative tools, and industry best practices. Recommend improvements that enhance communications workflows, audience engagement, and the effectiveness of the College's strategic content initiatives.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Digital Media, Journalism, or a related field.
• At least eight (8) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field, including experience leading integrated communications initiatives.
• Three (3) years of direct supervisory experience managing communications, creative, or digital media professionals.
• Demonstrated experience leading integrated communications campaigns, editorial initiatives, or organizational communications projects that support institutional goals.
• Experience managing complex communications projects involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and firm deadlines.

Required Job Knowledge, Skills, Abilities

• Demonstrated experience creating executive-level communications, presentations, newsletters, reports, or other strategic communications for internal and external audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute integrated communications strategies that support institutional storytelling, community engagement, student success, and brand awareness across multiple communication channels.
• Demonstrated ability to lead communications projects by translating strategic priorities into actionable plans, coordinating resources, establishing timelines, and ensuring successful execution.
• Strong writing, editing, and editorial judgment with the ability to develop executive communications, newsletters, campaign messaging, presentations, and communications for various internal and external audiences.
• Strong creative direction skills with the ability to evaluate content, provide constructive feedback, uphold brand standards, and guide the development of high-quality visual communications across print and digital platforms.
• Working knowledge of digital communications platforms and production technologies, including social media management tools, content management systems, email marketing platforms, digital signage software, video production workflows, and AI-assisted creative tools.
• Demonstrated experience supervising, coaching, and developing communications staff while fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to evaluate communications performance using data and analytics, identify opportunities for improvement, and present meaningful insights and recommendations to the Executive Director and institutional leadership.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple concurrent communications initiatives, balance competing priorities, and consistently meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Digital Media, or a related field.
• Experience in higher education communications or another complex institutional environment.
• Experience leading organizational communications planning, editorial strategy, or brand initiatives.
• Bilingual in English and Spanish.

Our Culture

Del Mar College is committed to fostering a culture aligned with The Viking Way, which emphasizes respect, integrity, collaboration, accountability, and a commitment to excellence. Employees are expected to contribute to a positive work environment by demonstrating professionalism, supporting colleagues and students, and engaging in continuous learning and development. In support of the College's Strategic Plan 2024–2029, Guiding Star III: Cultivate, all employees are encouraged to actively participate in opportunities that promote personal and professional growth, advance a culture of belonging, and strengthen the College's ability to serve its students and community.

Pay

$70,055.00 – $89,321.00

Schedule

Full-Time-Staff, Exempt