Executive Director of Communications and Public Relations

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Develop and executes a comprehensive public relations and communications strategy to support the student-centered vision of the University.
• Oversee the planning, development and execution of University communication initiatives and ensure the message is strategically distributed across channels and to targeted audiences.
• Drive the development and execution of a comprehensive public relations and communication strategy that serves to support the image of the University.
• Develop and implement University brand in our outward and inward communities.
• Ensure that consistent messages are shared with members of the media that are aligned with the University strategic plan and values.
• Lead all brand marketing strategy and development with responsibility for oversight of brand positioning materials and correlating marketing and communications strategy and plans.
• Lead relationships with external service providers to ensure materials are being produced at the highest level of excellence.
• Promote the University as a premier HBCU.
• Measure the effectiveness of public relations; analyze data.
• Create executive communications, including presidential newsletters, videos, magazines, and other media communications.
• Collaborate with University colleges and departments, WCSU radio, athletics, and 1890 grant programs concerning public relations and communications strategies designed to promote and propel programs and projects.
• Responsible for creating annual public relations/marketing communications framework.
• Responsible for monitoring news, social media, and other publications in identifying trends and opportunities to maintain our media presence.
• Handle all incoming inquiries from the media, including requests for president appearances, writes stories that enhance our visibility, draft press releases, media advisories and responses, and university statements.
• Provide staffing and coverage of all public appearances made by the President and shares associated materials (photos, articles, quotes, etc.) with media outlets and on University social media platforms

• The work is performed in a climate-controlled environment; may be exposed to adverse climate during media relations and communications activities; use of standard office equipment and software representative of this position; walking, standing, bending, stooping; handling and carrying less than 20 lbs.

• Knowledge, Abilities and Skills

   

  • Extensive knowledge of public relations and communications strategies
  • Ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders; customer focused
  • Skill in both written and oral communication
  • Ability to achieve results
  • Skill in innovative public relations and communication

   

  Minimum Education and Experience:

   

  • Master’s degree in public relations, communications, marketing, or other extensive, media-related experience
  • Five to 10 years of progressively responsible experience in public relations
  • Leadership experience in public relations, marketing, brand management, creative development, communications, social media strategy development and implementation
  • Experience in a higher education environment
  • Proven success in leveraging the brand to generate awareness and engagement