Director of Marketing, Communication and Engagement

Position Title
Director of Marketing, Communication and Engagement

Position Number
080791

Department
College of Fine and Applied Arts - 265000

Description of University

Appalachian State University, in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, prepares students to lead purposeful lives as global citizens who understand and engage their responsibilities in creating a sustainable future for all. The transformational Appalachian experience promotes a spirit of inclusion that brings people together in inspiring ways to acquire and create knowledge, to grow holistically, to act with passion and determination, and embrace diversity and difference. As one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina system, Appalachian enrolls more than 20,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate majors.

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university; or, in substitution, a Bachelor’s Degree and five years of successful experience in managing multiple communications and marketing channels and media.
• Highly developed skills in communications writing and editing.

License/Certification Required

N/A

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The Director of Marketing, Communication, and Engagement will create and execute a marketing and communications plan that advances the College’s mission to internal and external audiences. Some essential duties and responsibilities include:

Marketing and Communication:

• Provides leadership and vision for the college’s strategic and integrated marketing and communication functions.
• Oversee development of overarching marketing and communications strategy for the college.
• Draft and implement annual integrated marketing and communication plan.
• Provide guidance to ensure the college brand aligns and supports the Appalachian State University vision, mission, and values.
• Serves as the College of Fine and Applied Arts lead writer to conceptualize, research, write and edit clear and compelling content for diverse audiences (including current university affiliates as well as alumni, parents, donors, prospective students and community partners); for multiple platforms (including the college’s website, digital communications, and print pieces); and in multiple formats (including profiles, features, news releases, reports, newsletters, invitations and event promotion).
• Works with dean’s office staff and College Director of Development to elevate communications, including conceptualizing, creating and implementing graphics, videos, photography and/or other visual elements that will accompany content.
• Works closely with the college’s dean, associate dean and director of development to amplify the relevance and impact of alumni, faculty, staff and students’ scholarly activities and accolades for local, state and regional audiences.
• Ensure brand messaging and graphic identity is consistent in all publications and communications.
• Manage website and publication content to ensure relevancy and accuracy.
• Ensure effective use of traditional and new media to convey messages.
• Ensures content is relevant, accurate, outward facing and engaging for all stakeholders.
• Ensures the image of the College of Fine and Applied Arts aligns with and supports the Appalachian state University vision, mission and values and resonates with faculty, staff, prospective and current students, alumni and partners.
• Partner with internal and external departments to develop effective marketing strategies that support the university and the college.
• Manage design and content development of college’s annual year in review magazine, recruiting materials, donor engagement materials and more.
• Support design and creation of department-level marketing and communications materials.
• Act as final reviewer and approver for all external-facing college marketing and communications materials.
• Assist the college leadership (including department chairs, associate dean and dean) in selecting and procuring minor graphic design elements needed for media, presentations, promotional products, etc.
• Take photographs (or arranges for photographer) at meetings and events for college or departmental publicity, publications, website, PowerPoint presentations or other promotional information used in college or department for either external or internal sources, including distribution to local, state, or national organizations; Maintains or assists with updating (with current photos and information) the displays within the college buildings.
• Works with established Appalachian State University brand design and AP style guidelines, while creatively distinguishing the college’s own brand and design.
• Partner collaboratively with University Communications, Web Services, Alumni Affairs, Admissions, Career Development and Advancement as well as other university personnel in developing, designing, managing, troubleshooting and/or sharing content about the college to a broad range of audiences.
• Works closely with the College Academic Advisor in developing and editing materials for the college advising website; advising handbook and other printed materials.

Campus and Community Engagement:

• Work with college leadership to plan and execute events developed in support of strategic initiatives.
• Oversee creation of all supporting materials for and promotion of external-facing events.
• Oversee photography services for events and programs.
• Ensure college events, programs and news are promoted internally and externally through appropriate channels.
• Serve as member of Fine and Applied Arts Alliance Board.
• Assist the Office of the Dean with planning and conducting various events and activities, such as College faculty/staff meetings, social events, Advisory Council meetings, award and recognition receptions, visits and tours by dignitaries, etc.
• Assist the Office of the Dean and the Director of Development with various tasks to support fund raising and development efforts in the College, including donor-focused events and marketing materials.
• Promote effective public relations activities and serving as the College’s liaison to Communications/PR staff throughout the University.
• Coordinating and developing external communication initiatives to campus, College stakeholders, and others, including creating a quarterly newsletter, yearly magazine, print materials (brochures and other documents), electronic media (College website updates, social media, etc.), presentations, and various routine communications and promotional media for the College.
• Provides leadership and vision for the college’s external engagement and community involvement strategies and function.
• Partner and collaborate with key leaders and other partners within the college and university such as the Development Director to ensure external engagement is complementary and in support of college and university goals and strategies.
• Collaborate in short- and long-term strategies, programs and services to inspire giving among a vast array of stakeholders in support of the college’s fund raising initiatives and philanthropic activities.
• Partner with the director of development to develop, support and execute comprehensive advancement communication plans and projects that increase engagement and achieve advancement objectives with key constituent groups, including alumni, donors, corporate connections and friends.
• Assists in resolutions with communication challenges in marketing, outreach and donor stewardship initiatives to cultivate identity and create or expand relationships with external partners.
• Engage local, regional and campus media outlets by developing relationships and sharing compelling stories and information through appropriate distribution channels.

Metrics:

• Track analytics to support key marketing and external engagement strategies.
• Develop metrics to assess the effectiveness of marketing, external engagement and communications efforts.
• Support diversity and sustainability initiatives of the college and the university through marketing, branding, outreach and engagement.
• Maintain expertise in the use of tools and technology associated with the production of multimedia objects and digital communications materials.
• Creatively use appropriate and innovative methods to develop effective and artistic graphics and/or photographic elements for print and web-based publications, online platforms and other desired uses.

Leadership:

• Manage and direct freelance and student workers.
• Relieve the dean of administration detail by coordinating internal and external communications.
• Lead internal and external coordination of events, including logistics- choosing dates, booking locations, inviting participants, etc. printing materials, promoting events, managing staff, monitoring timelines and budgets.
• Plans and coordinates several specific events and activities for the College of Fine and Applied Arts, including scholarship receptions, welcome meetings for faculty and staff, alumni and donor events, etc.
• Offer trainings for faculty and staff on website best practices, branding guidelines, writing style and more.
• Assist the Office of the Dean and the Director of Development with various tasks to support fund raising and development efforts in the College, including donor-focused events and marketing materials.

Suggested Salary Range
$44,500 - $65,000

Physical Demands of Position

Typical physical demands of professional position within a university office area including
light lifting is required to set up event space.

All duties to be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Special Instructions to Applicants

For a complete application, please apply and submit all below-required documents electronically through Appalachian State University’s Job Board:

• Cover letter which addresses qualifications and interest in the position,
• Current resume/ CV,
• Two writing samples in one pdf relevant to the position,
• Complete current contact information from three references.

AA/EEO Statement

Appalachian State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate in access to its educational programs and activities, or with respect to hiring or the terms and conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, political affiliation, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or sexual orientation.

Important Contacts:

Director of Human Resources/ EEO Officer
Office of Human Resources
330 University Hall Dr.
Boone, NC 28608
(828) 262-3187

Office of Title IX Compliance
123 I.G. Greer Hall
Boone, NC 28608
(828) 262-2144

ADA /504 Coordinator & Office of Disability Resources Director
Office of Disability Resources
224 Joyce Lawrence Lane/Suite 112 Anne Belk Hall
Boone, NC 28608
(828) 262-3056

Diversity and Inclusion at Appalachian

We at Appalachian State University are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence both locally and globally.

We understand that the successful implementation of diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence is the responsibility of the entire university community, including alumni and official university governing bodies. A diverse campus community supports an influx of broad and distinct ideas that increase learning opportunities and strengthen the impact of our community as we work collectively to achieve a just experience for all.

We actively encourage, support, and promote a global mindset and an equitable environment where all will know that they belong and are safe to express their culture, identity, values, ideas, opinions, and creativity. We are committed to creating a culture of equity opportunity for all, one that has an expectation of fairness, justice, and equity-minded practice at all levels of the university community.

Quick Link
https://appstate.peopleadmin.com/postings/37272

Posting Number
201501054P