Director of Communications

Position Summary

William James College is seeking a fast-paced, proactive, creative person with superior oral and written communication skills as well as excellent organizational abilities. The Director of Communications is responsible for the execution of communication strategies that increase public awareness, influence enrollment and giving, and elevate the brand. This position will report to the Vice President of Enrollment Management and works closely with the senior leadership team to advance the College’s mission and strategic initiatives.

Essential Duties

• Responsible for the development and execution of an integrated communications strategy to include media, external, and government relations, news content development and distribution, and related activities designed to increase brand awareness and convey priority messages to key audiences through multi-channel storytelling. Audiences include, but are not limited to, prospective students, applicants, alumni, donors, board members, partners, faculty, students, staff, and the media.
• Collaborates with senior leadership, faculty, department chairs, program leaders and external partners to build awareness of key priorities, communications campaigns, and strategic initiatives through news and media activities.
• Oversees media relations efforts, both proactive and reactive, to support institutional priorities, manage reputation, and build brand awareness. Develop annual media and outreach plan.
• Responsible for managing the digital news presence of the College, including planning and managing the College’s news and editorial calendar, writing and/or supervising the creation of news stories, and posting stories to the web. Collaborates with Marketing Department to develop of social media campaigns and outreach strategies to support institutional events, messages, and activities.
• Manages the production of other assets, including graphics, videos, podcasts, web content, microsites, and written content to support strategic priorities.
• Oversee production, from concept to print, of Rapport, the College’s annual print magazine. Responsibilities include selecting stories and images, interviewing sources (internal and external), writing, and editing content; working with in-house and freelance writers, designers, photographers, and others on content development; and working with Marketing and Advancement teams to coordinate mailing lists, mailing, and distribution.
• Serve as an editor/proofer for the Marketing Department, Advancement Office, senior leaders, and Office of the President.
• Lead planning activities and event logistics for the William James College Annual Forum. For other Institutional and Advancement events, collaborate with event managers for to support creative aspects including developing communications, web and social media content and plans, and multimedia, digital or print materials to support relationship management and attendee stewardship.
• Manage and execute special projects as needed, including but not limited to special events, supporting partnership opportunities, and outreach activities to support the launch of new programs, niche marketing efforts, and other new business initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervision

• Supervises the Media Relations & Communications Associate
• Advises professionals in communications roles across the College community

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree and 10-12 years’ experience in marketing, communications, higher education, or fundraising.
• Supervisory or team leadership experience.
• Attention to detail, excellent proofreading skills, grasp of grammar, and punctuation and able to exhibit a consistent style.
• Comfortable with design software for the creation of flyers, videos, podcasts, web content, and other marketing materials.
• Ability to be flexible, proactive, and work collaboratively with colleagues in a team environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Strong commitment to customer service.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Attendance at evening and weekend events on occasion.

Application Instructions 

 Interested candidates should submit:

1. A Cover Letter responding to the stated qualifications.
2. A Résumé/Curriculum Vitae.
3. A list of three professional references with complete contact information. (References will not be contacted without the candidate’s prior permission.)

Materials should be submitted electronically via the WJC Career Center: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=40dab9cd-14a1-4d29-b356-da8c9cb6fb6f&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_US

Review of applications will begin upon receipt.

William James College is an institution and a community committed to the principles of excellence, fairness and respect for all people. Our Inclusive Excellence model infuses diversity, equity and inclusion efforts into the core of institutional functioning to realize the educational benefits of diversity both locally and globally. We are committed to strengthening communities, including our workplace, by fostering the development of the intercultural competencies necessary for change agents in an increasingly complex, pluralistic society