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Director of Strategic Communications and Community Engagement (Marketing and Communications Manager

Employer
Pennsylvania State University
Location
Pennsylvania, United States
Salary
Salary Not specified
Date posted
Apr 15, 2022

Director of Strategic Communications and Community Engagement (Marketing and Communications Manager 4

Penn State Abington is excited to invite applications for a Director of Strategic Communications and Community Engagement. Reporting to the Chancellor, the Director oversees the development and implementation of communication strategies for internal and external target audiences that advance Penn State Abington's mission and enhance its reputation, prestige, positioning, visibility, and support, including funding. The Director is an innovative and proven leader in marketing, communications, and community relations and sets the direction for promotion of Penn State Abington across the greater Philadelphia region and beyond to amplify its message of serving a significantly diverse student population through accessible, affordable, and high impact experiential learning from a world-renowned institution. Working with a local budget and within the marketing and communications direction set by the University's Office of Strategic Communications, the Director implements marketing and communications, media, and website initiatives for Abington College. Frequent and regular collaboration with University-level marketing and communications staff, as well as following established Penn State policies and protocols, is required. The Director is a strategic thinker who understands the intricacies and nuances of higher education and who has the ability to collaborate, build relationships, and manage programs and expectations across diverse audiences.

Duties and core competencies include the following:

  • Serve as communications advisor to the Chancellor and Cabinet
  • Direct the daily activities of the office of Strategic Communications and Community Engagement at Penn State Abington
  • Supervise the communications functions within StratComm including media relations, event planning, web communications and speechwriting
  • Develop, implement, evaluate, refine, and maintain a comprehensive marketing and communications (external and internal) plan for Abington that outlines strategies to increase student engagement, enrollment, and retention and help the campus advance and achieve key goals
  • Use innovative marketing strategies to build relationships, enhance, strengthen, and promote Penn State Abington's reputation and brand
  • Develop and direct corporate engagement team activities to develop and foster relationships with public and private entities; solicit and cultivate new corporate and community partnerships; provide stewardship of existing relationships and ensure partner organizations' needs are identified and matched with Penn State Abington resources for mutual benefit; proactively seek out opportunities and develop strategies for outreach and engagement solicitations, collaborating with a variety of other units such as Development and Continuing Education; think creatively to develop compelling corporate engagement proposals and presentations while ensuring these align with brand positioning; measure outcomes through marketing, income generation, philanthropy, student post-graduation employment opportunities, and student recruitment and retention
  • Create regional recognition for Penn State Abington as a destination campus through a variety of outreach mechanisms
  • Build a culture of collaboration with internal partners including Continuing Education, Development, Career Services, and Academic Affairs to support marketing and corporate engagement activities and to further College-wide goals
  • Serve as the College's primary point of contact for “town and gown” related matters, township activities, local community and governmental concerns, etc.; build and strengthen the College's relationships with local government officials and agencies, civic and business associations, and community-based organizations; oversee neighbor communications and engagement activities; represent the College's interests at local township/governmental meetings, hearings, etc. and develop a strategy to foster government relations. Engage with and serve on local Chambers, Abington Township Boards, etc.
  • Oversee the College's public information efforts, public and community relations activities, and website and social media presence; develop and manage a communications strategy for the Chancellor, writing speeches, presentations, and reports, as needed; and create and manage crisis communications, internally and externally, in concert with the University's Strategic Communications Office
  • Oversee and guide digital communications and develop a strategy for a strong social media presence
  • Deliver high-quality programming for high-visibility events including Commencement, Convocation, intellectual and cultural events, and community events and engagement opportunities to further the Chancellor's initiatives
  • Oversee the support of campus units in their communication, video, photography, and materials development when holding college-wide or highly visible external events (such as admissions events, meet the majors, career-fair, etc.)
  • Responsible for overseeing the development of presentations, reports, and fact sheets in support of leadership communications as well as the outreach activities of Penn State Abington's various administrative offices
  • Manage assigned budgets, in consultation with the College's Financial Officer
  • Oversee and mentor a team of six staff members and ensure their goals and contributions are aligned with the strategic plans for the unit and the College


Typically requires a Bachelor's degree or higher, Master's degree preferred, plus eight years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Degree in marketing and/or communications, or related field with progressively increasing responsibility and experience in areas of marketing, communications, media and public relations, and/or corporate engagement preferred.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated success in creatively marketing and branding an organization, developing and implementing related campaigns, with evidence of data-driven results. Evidence of building successful public/private partnerships and managing and engaging a portfolio of external partners is expected. Ideal candidate will have a strong track record as an implementer who thrives managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently. Superior oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills are essential as is a demonstrated commitment to diversity. The ability to work occasional nights and weekends and respond to crises off hours, as needed, is required.

This position requires the successful completion of standard background check(s) in accordance with University policy.

Preferred qualifications include advanced marketing and branding/promotion experience in higher education; ability to produce a portfolio of implemented corporate and community engagement programs and strategies, with supporting metrics for success. The ideal candidate embraces the power of education to transform individuals and communities.

Penn State is committed to and accountable for advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in all of its forms. We embrace individual uniqueness, foster a culture of inclusion and belonging that supports both broad and specific diversity initiatives, and leverage the educational and institutional benefits of diversity. We value inclusion and belonging as core strengths and essential elements of our public service mission. Penn State values integrity, respect, responsibility, discovery, excellence, and community.


Abington, PA is a northern suburb of Philadelphia known for its diversity and accessibility. Located just 45 minutes outside of center city, residents can easily travel to and from Philadelphia and Abington's surrounding communities such as Willow Grove, Glenside, Roslyn, and Jenkintown by SEPTA trains, regional rails, and buses, making it an ideal place to live and work. As a staff member at Penn State Abington, you will enjoy access to popular destinations such as Keswick Village, home of the Keswick Theater, Willow Grove Mall, Briar Bush Nature Center, and Abington Arts Center. You can enjoy outdoor recreation at any of Abington's 25 public parks, as well as shopping, dining, and other historic arts, museums, entertainment, and community events of the greater Philadelphia region while working in a diverse, lively, tight-knit, and engaging campus community.

Penn State offers a competitive and generous benefits package for full-time staff which includes:
  • Health insurance, dental and vision coverage
  • Retirement plans
  • 75% tuition discount for employees, eligible spouses, and dependent children to attend Penn State
  • Paid time off including holidays, vacation, sick days, and paid parental leave

Visit https://hr.psu.edu/benefits for additional information about benefits.



Apply online at https://psu.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/PSU_Staff/job/Penn-State-Abington/Director-of-Strategic-Communications-and-Community-Engagement--Marketing-and-Communications-Manager-4_REQ_0000028036-1

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS: For more about safety at Penn State, and to review the Annual Security Report which contains information about crime statistics and other safety and security matters, please go to http://www.police.psu.edu/clery/, which will also provide you with detail on how to request a hard copy of the Annual Security Report.

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. jeid-03dfc1b28a726841b575dc47278233d7

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