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Director of Strategic Communication

Job Details

Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand.

Position Details

The Office of Communications shines a spotlight on the people and programs of Wesleyan University to enhance its reputation as a leader in liberal education. In so doing, it serves as a partner with units across campus, providing expertise in brand management, strategic communication, media relations, digital and social media strategy, website development, content training and strategy, print and online publications and videography and photography.

Reporting to the Vice President for Communications, the Director of Strategic Communications is a creative storyteller and strategic thinker who is passionate about content and the role it can play in enhancing the reputation of the University.

This role will collaborate with a wide variety of key stakeholders across the University to develop content aligned with Wesleyan’s mission and core messaging and will be responsible for delivering content that engages Wesleyan’s audiences of prospective students/parents, on campus community, alumni, donors, etc.

Specifically, the director will:

Work with the Vice President and colleagues to enhance recognition of the University’s stature, the value of its activities, and its brand of liberal arts education.

Drive editorial strategy, content development, and the editorial calendar for the University.

Lead a team of highly experienced content contributors and media and public relations professionals to ensure consistency across all channels – web, digital, media, and print and adherence to core messaging, brand voice, style, and tone guidelines.

Create, develop, write, edit, and review a wide variety of content types from across the University, including marketing copy, long-form articles, emails, web content, video scripts, speeches, reports, etc.

Collaborate cross functionally with University departments to ensure executional excellence and development of innovative content.

Oversee all aspects of creating and producing Wesleyan magazine in print and online; in concert with the editor, assure that it advances the University’s objectives while also providing an engaging publication for its readers.

Drive effective processes to foster internal collaboration and enhance efficiency.

Use data to create metrics and use that information to drive improvement.

Create, edit, and send mass emails to the campus, as needed.

Experiment with new forms of content, delivery, technology, process, etc. to position Wesleyan as a leader on the cutting edge of Communications.

Assist the Vice President with significant additional assignments, as appropriate and needed in response to changing demands.


Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in English, journalism and at least 10 years of progressively responsible editorial experience with a consistent increase in responsibility including leadership, management and supervisory experience or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
Prior experience in and knowledge of media relations.
Innovative, strategic, editorial, writing, and storytelling experience across all channels – web, digital, media, print. Sophisticated writing and editing
Experience designing and developing strategic content in all forms including marketing copy, long form articles, emails, web content, video scripts, speeches, and reports.
Experience with content management and delivery while adhering to brand awareness.
Demonstrated experience effectively supervising creative staff, freelancers, and leading teams.
Prior experience managing an editorial calendar.
Experience managing a large and consistently shifting editorial workload.
Demonstrated ability and enthusiasm for managing relationships at all levels of the organization.
Demonstrated creativity and effective communication skills.
Familiarity with AP and Chicago style conventions, excellent spelling, and grammar skill.
Strong interpersonal, collaborative, and organizational skills.
Strong project/time management and multitasking abilities.
Creative problem-solving ability and excellent analytical skills.
Demonstrated commitment to work within a diverse environment and interact collegially with individuals of different backgrounds.


Preferred Qualifications

15 years of progressively responsible editorial experience with a consistent increase in responsibility including leadership, management and supervisory experience strongly preferred.
Prior experience managing a magazine (online and print).
In-depth knowledge of magazine structure, production, and design.
Prior experience in Higher Education


Special Instructions to Applicants

Review of applications will begin on May 19 , 2021 and continue until the position is filled.

As a part of your application please provide 3-5 writing samples highlighting diversity in writing. For e.g. a news story, feature story and op-ed.


Additional Information

Any and all offers to external applicants are contingent on the candidate’s completion of a pre-employment background check screening to the satisfaction of Wesleyan University.



Wesleyan University, located in Middletown, Connecticut, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, political belief, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or non-position-related criminal record. We welcome applications from women and historically underrepresented minority groups. Inquiries regarding Title IX, Section 504, or any other non-discrimination policies should be directed to: Alison Williams, Vice President for Equity & Inclusion/ Title IX Officer, 860-685-3927, awilliams@wesleyan.edu.

Company

Wesleyan University

Wesleyan University, founded in 1831, is a diverse, energetic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand. 

Our student body of approximately 3,000 undergraduate and 200 graduate students is housed on a beautiful 316-acre historic New England campus that offers the comfort of an intimate and collaborative learning environment supported by renowned faculty, cutting-edge facilities, and unique research opportunities.

With our distinctive scholar-teacher culture, creative programming, and commitment to interdisciplinary learning, Wesleyan challenges students to explore new ideas and change the world. Our graduates go on to lead and innovate in a wide variety of industries, including government, business, entertainment, and science.

At Wesleyan, we are all educators. We welcome your interest in Wesleyan's diverse, energetic community of employees who, by their creativity, innovative thinking, and generosity of spirit, help make Wesleyan a great place to work. In this energetic and inclusive community, our talented faculty and staff foster a liberal arts educational experience characterized by boldness, rigor, and practical idealism. Genuinely open-minded, intellectually curious, and mission-driven, our employees invest their impressive talents in fulfilling careers.

Wesleyan offers a broad range of growth and wellness opportunities—comprehensive health benefitsfitness incentives, generous paid time offretirement plansflexible work schedules, and educational benefits, including free employee access to Wesleyan’s Graduate Liberal Studies program and undergraduate tuition reimbursement for dependents of eligible employees. Benefits-at-a-Glance

Campus life affords employees countless opportunities to experience general-interest, academic, artistic, and athletic events. Our location in scenic central Connecticut provides easy access to Boston, New York, and the many other exciting and culturally rich destinations of New England. Few workplaces are like Wesleyan, and we welcome your interest in learning more about us.

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