Director of Communications #588320
Organizational Overview:
At VCU, we Make it Real through learning, research, creativity, service and discovery — the hallmarks of the VCU experience. A premier, urban, public research university nationally recognized as one of the best employers for diversity, VCU is a great place to work. It’s a place of opportunity, where your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers employees a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay, and an opportunity to do mission-driven work.
Virginia Commonwealth University seeks to create a work environment and organizational culture that reflect the society and community in which it is located and a climate for the success of every employee by appreciating the uniqueness that each one brings to the workplace. The University has a student body of over 31,000 undergraduate, graduate and first professional students, including 45 percent of students of color and 1,260 international students from 101 countries. In a continuing effort to enrich its academic environment and provide equal educational and employment opportunities, the university actively encourages applications form members of all ethnic groups underrepresented in higher education.
Position primary purpose and general responsibilities:
The Director of Communications represents Virginia Commonwealth University’s College of Health Professions to local, national and international media while promoting positive public relations and information service activities and programs. This position raises awareness of the VCU College of Health Professions, internally and externally, to its constituents, stakeholders and community partners; increases the college’s visibility by exploring and expanding media relations opportunities; promotes enhanced communication within the college and greater university community; and engages alumni, faculty, staff and students around the college’s Goals within the context of the university’s strategic plan.
This position reports to the dean of the College of Health Professions and is responsible for the following duties:
- Develop, implement and manage a multichannel communications and marketing strategy for the college’s internal and external constituents to meet the strategic goals of the college as they pertain to enrollment, reputation, development and alumni relations. This should include a diverse mix of effective strategies including print materials, digital, website development, emails, blog posts, videos, social media, direct mail, photography and other tactics as needed.
- Collaborate with departments and development staff within the college on internal and external communications. Conduct market research to develop effective and proactive strategies that adjust to shifting trends, leverage existing technologies and engage emerging technologies to meet college goals.
- Develop a consistent and meaningful brand strategy for the college consistent with the VCU’s brand strategy.
- Manage and produce print publications (such as the college’s alumni magazine) as well as website content and e-communications (newsletters, etc.); write, review, update, proofread and edit content for all print publications; and work with designers and colleagues in the development of revised and new print materials; and manage crisis communications.
- Create, coordinate and maintain a robust strategic social media and digital marketing program.
- Collaborate with and serve as main point of contact with VCU University Relations, VCU Health, the MCV Foundation, the Office of Development and Alumni Relations and other university affiliates for all media and communication needs.
- Attend VCU marketing, social media and strategy meetings as the college’s representative.
- Meeting examples include but are not limited to the following: the Development and Alumni Relations Strategic Marketing and Engagement meeting, the Alumni meeting, and the VCU Social Media Administrators meeting.
- Manage the production of special events materials as needed.
- Establish and maintain an external and internal network of media contacts to include the local, academic, college and VCU media.
- Maintain records of media coverage for all aspects of the college.
- Maintain a consistent internal and external communications effort.
- Supervise a website master.
- Other duties as assigned.
Minimum hiring standards:
- Bachelor’s degree in marketing and communications or related field strongly preferred, and/or an equivalent combination of training and professional experience.
Strong business acumen, excellent leadership skills and exhibit keen proficiency in writing and communications strategies. - Demonstrated experience in managing marketing collateral design and development process for print and digital communications channels, including website, broadcast, print and social media.
- Possess exceptional interpersonal, verbal and communication skills with a diverse population while building and maintaining key relationships.
- Demonstrate ability to understand media and effectively assess opportunities to promote and publicize the research, teaching, service and other accomplishments of the college, students and faculty.
- Self-motivated, strategic and creative.
- Proven flexibility and willingness to perform a wide range of necessary tasks.
- Ability to problem-solve using sound judgment and professional discretion.
- Demonstrated strong work ethic and time management skills.
- Ability to manage multiple high-priority tasks/projects simultaneously with limited supervision.
- Demonstrated ability to work within and support a diverse work environment.
- Ability to tailor writing to a variety of formats and audiences and perform all aspects of story development, which includes conducting research and interviews, copywriting, editing and sourcing digital assets.
- Demonstrated excellence in scientific writing; clearly, accurately and engagingly conveying complex scientific, clinical and translational research in long and short form for a variety of audiences, including policymakers, investigators and the scientific and participant communities across a variety of platforms.
- Excellent organizational, interpersonal and communication skills are essential.
Preferred hiring standards:
- Photography experience preferred
- Experience in an institution of higher education is preferred.
- Five to seven years of paid professional-level full time management experience in marketing and/or public relations preferred.
- Knowledge of and experience using AP style.
- Proficiency required in Microsoft Office Suite and experience in Adobe Creative Suite preferred.
Virginia Commonwealth University is an equal opportunity, Affirmative Action University providing access to education and employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, political affiliation, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or disability. Applicants must have demonstrated experience working in and fostering a diverse faculty, staff, and student environment or commitment to do so as an employee at VCU.