Executive Director - Strategic Communications

Executive Director - Strategic Communications


At PCOM, we espouse to grow a culturally competent workforce to advance healthcare that touches the lives of underserved communities. Diversity and inclusion is the core component of our institutional identity and a key pillar of PCOM’s strategic vision. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine affirms that diversity and inclusion are crucial to the intellectual vitality of the campus community. It is through freedom of exchange over different ideas and viewpoints in supportive environments that our graduates develop the critical thinking and citizenship skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Since 1899, PCOM has trained highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners, and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care - treating people, not just symptoms. As the field of medicine has changed, we've changed with it - adapting our program offerings to better meet the needs of healthcare providers and the communities they serve. At the main campus in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PCOM), the branch campus in Suwanee, Georgia (PCOM Georgia), and our newest location in Moultrie, Georgia (PCOM South Georgia), PCOM students learn to approach problem-solving in a more professional, more team-oriented manner, which prepares them to work successfully in integrated healthcare settings with other health professionals. At Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine you will be part of a caring, professional, and committed community focused on making the PCOM experience the best possible for our students.

We are currently seeking to fill our Executive Director - Strategic Communications position at the Philadelphia campus with a highly qualified and passionate individual.

Executive Director of Strategic Communications

The Executive Director of Strategic Communications position reports to the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer. The Executive Director of Strategic Communications is a member of the Marketing and Communications (MarCom) leadership team and is responsible for promoting and strengthening the visibility and reputation of the College locally, regionally, and nationally. While actively positioning the College with key constituents and critical audiences supporting its mission, values, commitments, DEI initiatives, and strategic plan. The Executive Director of Strategic Communications leads a high-achieving and collaborative team in four key areas: strategic communications, crisis/issue management, public/media relations, and social media. They are responsible for providing strategic counsel, overseeing/developing strategies, writing compelling and original content, and messaging.

This position establishes the conceptual and strategic direction for content development and strategy. Leads the communications team in creating, integrating, disseminating, measuring, and repurposing content through all College channels, including strategic communications, social media, presidential communications, publications/print material, and public relations. The executive director works closely with the College web and strategic marketing team leads and is forward-thinking about integrating technology into the College’s communications and driving the development and use of all content.

Responsibilities:
This position manages three direct reports, the Director of Communications, Associate Director of News and Media Relations, and Assistant Director of Social Media.

Develops and supervises all operations related to strategic communications and content strategy of the College’s social media, public relations, and communications efforts in supporting the mission and strategic plans of MarCom and the College.

Develops communications and content strategies to support MarCom and the College, working closely with the senior leadership. Oversees the successful implementation of these strategies and measures the effectiveness of outcomes through data collection and analysis.

Directs the public relations effort for the College, raising awareness of PCOM on local, regional, and national levels, including media relations, building and maintaining relationships with key subject matter experts, and general public relations function and team oversight.

Oversees the development and implementation of social media, news and media relations, and communications campaigns using analytics to review and strengthen efforts.

Initiates and fosters strategic relationships on campus with senior leadership, colleagues, and members of external constituencies.

Directs the crisis/issue management effort for the College. This position works with the MarCom team and key members of the College to support the development and execution of crisis communications plans, strategies, and tactics. This position also serves as one of the College's spokesperson when needed.

Writes, edits, and proofreads short and long content for various communications needs.

Works with legal counsel to unify crisis/issues communications messaging at a high level, resulting in clear, consistent, and compelling communications when needed—obtaining legal counsel input and directives for final approval.

Responsible for managing vendor partner selection and contracts and leadership and management of vendor partner project work as needed.

Manages multiple projects at once and ensures that the communications team's functions are conducted and completed in a timely, professional manner and keeping with the direction set by the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer.

Related responsibilities as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:
●Minimum 12-15 years of related professional experience
●Bachelor's degree or advanced degree preferably in communications, journalism, English, or a related field
●Proven ability to lead and deliver results in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
●Demonstrated leadership in strategic communications, including branding and reputation building, issue management, and crisis communications
●Excellent writing, grammar, and editing skills with experience writing for both print and digital communications
●Ability to work independently as well as within a team and to implement tactics and achieve planned goals
●Possess the cross-cultural skills needed to build relationships and work effectively with diverse groups of students, colleagues, and community members
●Understanding of the ever-changing higher education landscape and nonprofit settings
●Excellent creativity, analysis, problem-solving skills, and the ability to evaluate, synthesize, and incorporate ideas and feedback from multiple stakeholders, including synthesizing complex ideas and concepts into compelling writing.
●Familiarity with brand marketing concepts and how they relate to the communication strategies
●Extensive knowledge and experience managing social media strategy, execution, and analysis

PCOM is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration. We adhere to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.