Chief Communications Officer (CCO)

Department:     President’s Office

Pay Grade:        113  ($93,701.00 - $126,496.00 Annually)

FLSA Status:     Exempt

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the President, the chief communications officer (CCO) is responsible for conducting public and community relations activities to continually enhance the visibility, image, and reputation of the College, and build internal and external support for the College's goals. The CCO serves as a member of the President's Executive Team and represents the initiatives, needs and activities of the College to internal and external audiences. The CCO plans and executes a wide range of complex and sensitive administrative duties that interface with and/or bring together major units of the College, as well as community and governmental groups. Additionally, the CCO serves as the College's Public Information Officer (PIO) and as a member of the Crisis Response Team.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

Executive Internal /External Communication

1. Collaborates with the President and Executive Team to communicate Executive Team decisions, plans, changes in procedure, or other relevant information to the College community and external community as needed.
2. Coordinates with other units of the College to plan and conduct major activities of the President’s office and makes necessary connections with internal stakeholders to facilitate partnerships that support the college’s strategic plan and mission.
3. Creates and Maintains a regular social media presence for the President.
4. Liaises with and hosts special guests, corporate partners, and government officials and arranges for press/social media coverage of major events.
5. As PIO works with the Crisis Response Command Team and the Executive Team to communicate with press/media, students, families, and employees.
6. Writes speeches and prepares external and internal communication for the President.
7. Works with various units in the College to write or approve messages to be issued by the President in various College communications,
8. Serves as co-chair of the Commencement Committee along with the Senior Director of Records and Student Data Analytics. Plans and coordinates the event including development of invitations, program booklets and scripts; serves as liaison to the Commencement speaker and VIP guests; works with the Office of Creative Services to develop press and or relevant social/media promotion and recognition events.
9. Serves on the College's Senior Leadership Council (SLC), Planning Advisory Council (PAC), Middle States Self-Study Steering Committee, Professional Development Committee, Crisis Response Team, and other committees as needed.
10. Represents the President, when necessary, at community events.
11. At the discretion of the President, represents the College on Local Boards or task forces.
12. Assists in Fund Raising activities both internally and externally.

Community Outreach

1. Strategically liaises with community and non-profits organizations and arranges for access to College Facilities for important meetings and events that engage the community on campus.
2. Works with administrators of local municipalities and coordinates with all offices across the institution that conduct outreach activities within the community to facilitate the college’s participation and representation at the major events across the county each year.
3. Works with the Executive Assistant to the President to arrange for sponsorship of local events, Galas, Celebration Dinners, Golf Outings, and other similar activities.

Legislative and Governmental Affairs and Advocacy

1. Assists the President with legislative initiatives including reviewing legislation, preparation of testimony, developing legislative updates for internal and external stakeholders.
2. Builds relationships with elected officials at all levels to assist the College in its goal to be a high-impact partner in economic development, and supporter of governmental, civic, and cultural initiatives in Carroll County and the region.

Public and Press/Media Relations

1. Represents the President as spokesperson for the College; serves as the Institution's Public Information Officer, drafts official statements, and responds to requests for information, interviews, and other public relations requests.
2. Participates on the College's strategic marketing committee to ensure alignment with college communication and strategic marketing strategies.
3. Works with various units of the College and/or freelance contractors to develop and distribute press releases and related photography to local press and media outlets.
4. Attends PIO trainings and performs public relations and communications functions in the event of campus incidents, emergencies, or disaster.
5. Attends MACC Affinity group and various County Public Relations peer group meetings.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• Baccalaureate Degree in a related field
• Seven-years of progressively responsible experience in public relationalities, public relations, or marketing in any of the following arenas:

o Colleges or universities, public schools, news outlets, corporate or non-profit organizational settings

• Higher education experience preferred
• Demonstrated successful experience promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion goals within an organization
• Superior written and oral communication skills
• Ability to write clear and concise reports
• Superior diplomacy/interpersonal skills
• Ability to collaborate with and respond to multiple constituencies, interface effectively with a diverse range of individuals, use social media for promoting an organization and/or its leadership to target audiences, work effectively with print and media representatives, meet deadlines, and communicate the President’s priorities to engender constituent buy-in.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

SALARY

This position will be placed on the College 12-month, exempt staff salary scale at grade 113.
Actual salary placement based on qualifications and experience. Position includes an excellent fringe benefit package.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The work is normally sedentary which requires exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Additionally, the following physical abilities are required:

Hear/talk/communicate – Must be able to exchange information and communicate effectively
Visual Acuity/ability to perceive or detect surroundings
Mental acuity – Able to focus, concentrate, understand, and convey subject matter
Repetitive motion (i.e., keyboarding)
Stand/sit/walk/able to move or traverse from one area to another

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
College campus and local travel. Occasional overnight travel may be required. Work environment involves everyday risks or discomforts which require normal safety precautions typical of such places as office, meeting, and training rooms; use of safe workplace practices with office equipment; computers for word processing; avoidance of trips and falls; observance of fire and building safety regulations; observance of College policies; and observance of traffic laws when/if driving a college vehicle.

TO QUALIFY FOR EMPLOYMENT, SELECTED CANDIDATES MUST:

• successfully complete a criminal background check (for designated positions)
• be able to work on campus as of the first day of employment
• be a resident of DE, MD, PA, VA, WV or DC as of the first day of employment
• be currently authorized to work in the US, as the College does not offer Visa sponsorships

Carroll Community College is committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment. Carroll Community College is committed to Equal Opportunity Employment.

Carroll Community College has the right to revise this position description at any time, and this position description does not represent in any way a contract of employment.