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Senior Director, Strategic Communications and Media Relations



Position Information

Title
Senior Director, Strategic Communications and Media Relations

Department
Communications

Regular or Temporary
Regular

Hours Per Week
40, occasional weekend and evenings when required

FLSA Determination
Exempt

Weeks Per Year

52

Open Date
06/14/2022

Full or Part Time
Full Time

Position Summary

Trinity College seeks candidates for the position, Senior Director of Strategic Communication and Media Relations.

The Senior Director of Strategic Communications and Media Relations serves a vital role for Trinity College as a senior communications leader and a principal storyteller. This person will direct and oversee the team responsible for the stories that enhance and build the college’s external reputation. An experienced producer of media and content, this person leads and mentors a collaborative team whose work illustrates the strengths of the community and communicates Trinity’s evolving strategic priorities. Coordinating media relations, this person designs strategies to raise the college’s visibility and to enhance its perceived relevance and value, effectively conveying to a broad external audience its brand story including its deep relationship with Hartford.
Primary Responsibilities:
  • Acts as a member of the Vice President’s communications leadership team:
    must love great storytelling and producing content; directs, manages, and mentors the content team, creating strategies to elevate Trinity College’s public profile and academic reputation; manages resources to supplement the team’s work; and must collaborate well.
  • Leads the editorial planning across the college’s primary communications channels (i.e., website, all e-publications, magazine, podcast, videos, social media); ensures timely delivery of relevant news stories; ensures the quality of engaging multimedia content; and is facile and adept with social media and earned media strategies.
  • Acts as the principal media relations leader at the college: works with a team to identify possible story leads and media-worthy ideas; develops and oversees media plans for major college announcements and events; responds to media inquiries and collaborates with Athletics; plans and pitches stories to local, regional, and national media; supports members of the campus community in their interactions with the media; and identifies opportunities for influencers to share Trinity’s story, all supporting a Strategic Communications and Marketing Plan. Bringing existing media contacts is a plus.
  • Nurtures and fosters actively collaborative relationships with Trinity leaders, students, alumni, and faculty, collaborating on opportunities (including op-eds) to leverage their work in the broader media.
  • Oversees the tracking and sharing of media coverage and manages the posting of stories and links to stories on the college website; maintains a database of Trinity experts for media.
  • Manages the college’s media response as the principal spokesperson; manages news conferences, press briefings, media visits to campus, and visits by Trinity leaders with editorial boards; supports the media training of administrators, board members, and others as needed. Experience working with student media is a plus.
  • Sits as a member of the Emergency Management Team; develops and manages crisis and emergency communications plans and provides support and assistance.
  • Perform other related duties as assigned and based on departmental need.
Trinity is a highly selective, independent, nonsectarian liberal arts institution located in the capital city of Hartford, Conn. With more than 2,100 full-time undergraduate students and 91 graduate students, the college maintains a rigorous academic profile complemented by a vibrant and diverse co-curricular program.

Trinity College seeks a staff that reflects the changing demographics of our student body. Our student body is diverse, representing 41 states and 70 countries, with 21 percent U.S. students of color and 50 percent who identify as women. More than 90 percent of students live on campus.

We consider our location in a culturally and socioeconomically diverse capital city to be among Trinity’s most distinctive assets, and we cultivate strong connections with our surrounding neighbors and with institutions and organizations throughout Hartford and the region. As a preeminent liberal arts college in an urban setting, Trinity College prepares students to be bold, independent thinkers who lead transformative lives.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s Degree required.
  • Minimum of ten years of relevant experience in communications, journalism, public relations and digital content.
  • Strategic communications at a higher education or non-profit, and/or experience in journalism, public relations, or digital media.
  • Must be an excellent writer.
  • Must have media relations experience (established media contacts are desired).
  • Management experience required.
  • Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills.
  • Strong leadership and management skills.
  • Exceptional writer and producer.
  • Ability to work in a deadline-driven environment.
  • Strong problem-solving skills.
  • Time management skills with the ability to prioritize work.
  • Exceptional communication (written and oral) skills.
  • Exceptional customer services skills and ability to respond effectively to sensitive inquiries.
  • Demonstrated understanding of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
  • Public speaking skills.
  • Ability to cultivate and maintain relationships with leadership, faculty, staff, and external stakeholders.
  • Ability to work nimbly, flexibly, and with grace.
  • Ability to work nights and weekends on occasion.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Master’s Degree
  • Management experience with website, publications, design, photography, and video desired.
Special Instructions to Applicants

All applicants must apply online by submitting their resume, cover letter and 3 references.

Writing samples are required.

In your cover letter or application materials, please address how you would foster and promote an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion in this role.

Trinity College requires proof of COVID19 vaccination and booster or an approved exemption prior to beginning employment .

Review of applications will begin three weeks after the role posting date.

Quick Link
https://trincoll.peopleadmin.com/postings/2663

Trinity College is an independent, nonsectarian liberal arts college for men and women, with approximately 2,200 undergraduate students and 200 faculty members, located in Hartford, Connecticut. Our Mission is “Engage. Connect. Transform.” As the preeminent liberal arts college in an urban setting, Trinity College prepares students to be bold, independent thinkers who lead transformative lives. Trinity is an actively engaged community of students, faculty and staff who work together to develop and sustain the intellectual and creative opportunities central to a first-class liberal arts education. Hartford, the state capital, provides many opportunities for cultural and social engagement.

The College is committed to building a representative and diverse faculty, administrative staff, and student body. Trinity is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Applicants with disabilities should request, in advance, any needed accommodation in order to participate in the application process.

For all faculty positions, completion of the Ph.D. or appropriate equivalent is expected. Candidates should have a strong commitment to undergraduate and interdisciplinary teaching in a liberal arts context, and a well-articulated plan for sustained research. Trinity is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community through their research, teaching, and service.

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