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Director of Communications

Posting Details

Posting Details

Job #
039223

Department Code
21601-2090

Department
Public Communications

Job Title
Director of Communications

Location
Syracuse, NY

Pay Range
Commensurate with Experience

Staff Level
S6

FLSA Status
Exempt

Hours

Standard University business hours

8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs.

Job Type
Full-time

Campus
Syracuse, NY

Unionized Position Code
Not Applicable

Job Description

The Newhouse School at Syracuse University seeks a Director of Communications to provide strategic leadership across all areas of the school’s communications operation, including public relations, marketing and advertising, content strategy, publications management (print and digital), website, social media, branding, executive communications, crisis communications and special events publicity.

Reporting to the dean, this person is a key member of the school’s leadership team, providing counsel on all marketing and communications opportunities and challenges. This person works closely with leadership, faculty and staff, particularly members of the recruitment, advancement, special events and information technology teams, as well as other relevant stakeholders. This person also serves as the school’s primary liaison with Syracuse University’s central Divisions of Marketing and Communications.

The Director of Communications manages a team of three full-time staff members: the assistant director for marketing, the content manager and the lead artistic designer. The work of the communications team touches all aspects of the Newhouse School—from prospective student recruitment to alumni relations—and serves to advance the school’s reputation.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s degree in public relations, marketing or other relevant field and at least 10 years of professional experience. Higher education experience is a plus.
  • Portfolio of relevant work that demonstrates strategic thinking, an engaging style and a command of language.
  • Proven track record of successfully developing, implementing and maintaining strategic communications initiatives, including ongoing assessment and refinement.
  • Exemplary writing, editing and verbal communications skills.
  • Experience in marketing and advertising, media relations, content strategy (including print, web and social), crisis communications and executive communications.
  • Demonstrated ability to juggle multiple projects and competing priorities, stay organized and meet deadlines, whether working independently or as part of a team; project management and problem solving skills are critical, as is the ability to perform under pressure.
  • Experience managing individuals and teams with a collaborative and thoughtful leadership style and a demonstrated commitment to fostering a culture of professional growth and inclusiveness among staff members.
  • Remote work will be considered for exceptional candidates, with the understanding that this person will be required to be on campus multiple times a year, sometimes with short advance notice.
Job Specific Qualifications

Responsibilities
  • Develop, implement and continuously refine a strategic communications plan that supports the goals of the Newhouse School and Syracuse University and conveys the Newhouse School value proposition and pillars in valuable and relevant ways to a range of audiences.
  • Develop content strategies and oversee the production of a large volume of content that “tells the Newhouse story” across multiple platforms. These include but are not limited to print magazines, email blasts, social media posts, student recruitment collateral, digital signage, marketing campaigns, press releases and special events materials.
  • Oversee the development and implementation of comprehensive marketing plans for graduate and undergraduate recruitment, including digital marketing campaigns, email drip campaigns, web content development, social media strategy and print materials.
  • Manage the school website (newhouse.syr.edu) and oversee the production of all content (written, photography, video) as well as SEO / SEM efforts. Work closely with the IT team on web development.
  • Manage the school social media accounts and oversee the development of social media campaigns targeting prospective students and other key audiences.
  • Produce two annual print magazines and a monthly email newsletter targeting alumni, donors, industry partners and other key audiences.
  • Write press releases, build media lists, identify media placement opportunities and develop pitches, with special attention paid to Newhouse faculty expertise.
  • Provide writing and editing support to the dean; write and produce monthly email blasts, scripting, speechwriting, internal messaging, major announcements, social media posts, etc.
  • Oversee and meet day-to-day communications needs and work closely with leadership to develop responses and proactively plan for crisis communications situations.
  • Serve as communications lead for all major events, with oversight of fundraising materials, ads, email blasts, print programs, social imagery, social coverage, media placements, etc.
  • Ensure school-wide compliance with Syracuse University brand standards, editorial style and web and social media governance guidelines.
  • Work closely with the Syracuse University Divisions of Marketing and Communications, particularly in the areas of branding, marketing, media relations and crisis communications.
  • Supervise the communications team and manage the communications budget.
Physical Requirements

Not Applicable

Tools/Equipment

Not Applicable

Application Instructions

In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.

About Syracuse University

Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and nearly 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors and 100 minors offered through 13 schools and colleges; nearly 15,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit www.syracuse.edu.

About the Syracuse area

Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.

EEO Statement

Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity, affirmative-action institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.

Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans

Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.

Commitment to a Diverse and Inclusive Campus Community

Syracuse University maintains an inclusive learning environment in which students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all other aspects of campus life reflect a diverse, multi-cultural, and international worldview. The University community recognizes and values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to understand, live among, appreciate, and work in an inherently diverse country and world made up of people with different ethnic and racial backgrounds, military backgrounds, religious beliefs, socio-economic status, cultural traditions, abilities, sexual orientations and gender identities. To do so, we commit ourselves to promoting a community that celebrates and models the principles of diversity and inclusivity.

Quick Link
https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/97137

Job Posting Date
12/02/2022

Application Deadline

Full Consideration By

Job Category
Staff

Message to Applicants

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