Director, Communications

Reporting to the VP for Marketing and Communication, the Director is responsible for leading and integrating communications and content for the nation’s largest Jesuit, Catholic University. Direct all external and internal communications initiatives, including proactive and reactive media relations, focusing on brand reputation and enhancement. Advise on all crisis communications and issues management. Create and support implementation of strategic communication, integrated marketing, and social media plans for the University. Create yearly communication calendars, plans and provide input on budgets for various initiatives. Oversee messaging and quality control of internal communications tools across University. Oversee integrated content strategy development and deployment across multiple channels (internal and external, digital and traditional) in support of overall UMC goals. Help team articulate and achieve measureable results. Ensure collaboration and cross-functional approach to plans and initiatives to achieve maximum impact. Serve on VP’s senior advisory team. Serve as communications and media champion to others at University.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Lead all University reactive and proactive media relations and serve as spokesperson on behalf of the University; clear focus on proactive, innovative, storytelling media relations.
2. Collaborate with schools and divisions to develop strategic public relations strategies that help raise awareness of the University and its various schools, centers, departments. Ensure strategies align with the overall UMC strategic plan.
3. Ensure implementation of social media strategy and policy across the University and oversee management of central University social media accounts, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
4. Actively collaborate with departments to leverage all news being announced across the University.
5. Advise on key messaging, senior leader stakeholder management, and internal issues management.
6. Serve as strategic advisor on crisis communications plans, and address gaps, identify vulnerabilities, and oversee annual case study review for senior management.
7. Consistently monitor and evolve communications, messaging/tone, channels and metrics.
8. Oversee all internal channels for effective distribution of impactful communications including email, web, e-newsletters, and digital screens.
9. Monitor media coverage for schools and divisions, share media reports (and regular dashboard), advocate for media coverage sharing in other areas (Enrollment Management, Advancement, etc.).
10. Conduct media training on as needed basis (faculty experts and administrators).
11.  Project-manage communications for large University initiatives, including high-profile speakers, events, campaigns, advancement communication announcements, capital planning, and community relations initiatives.
12. Advise on all issues and crises communications on behalf of the University, including strategy, messaging, distribution, and responding to media. Lead duties filled by Communications Manager.
13. Respond to all Campus Safety issues; on-call, after hours and weekends.

Minimum Education and/or Work Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, journalism, communications or related field 
• Minimum of 7-10 years of direct public or media relations, marketing, or communications experience

Qualifications:

1. Advanced degree in Business, Marketing or Communications preferred 
2. Knowledge of media/integrated marketing and social media best practices required.
3. Significant experience in higher education communications and content strategy.
4. Track record of successful media placements and skilled in teaching others how to effectively pitch the media.
5. Ability to collaborate with various teams, including advancement, student development, HR, president’s office, provost’s office, deans, special events, enrollment management, etc.
6. Superior verbal, written, communications planning skills required; solid command of various computer software and social media channels.
7. Demonstrated project management skills.
8. Superior interpersonal skills and ability to coordinate activities productively with functions and units outside his/her own sphere of control to ensure success communication of desired messages.
9. Understanding and proof of success in driving results in a collaborative, consensus-driven organization.
10. Supervisory experience desired.
11. High ethical standards and integrity required.

Computer Skills:

• Proficient in MS office, MS Publisher and Adobe.