Senior Director, Communications

All Job Postings will close at 12:01 a.m. CT on the specified Closing Date.

Weekly Work Hours

40

Compensation Range

Administrator Range E07

Salary Minimum

FLSA

United States of America (Exempt)

Position Type

Administrator

Job Summary

Senior Director, Communications, needed to lead our organization's external communication strategies and initiatives. The Senior Director, External Communications will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communication plans that enhance the college's visibility, engagement, and success among students, employees, within the community and the broader education landscape. The ideal candidate will be a proactive strategic thinker and possess exceptional leadership skills, a deep understanding of brand reputation, messaging strategies, executive communications, crisis management, external communications, media relations, strategic planning, analytics, project management, process improvement, budget management, client relations, team development, and agency management.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proven experience in developing a cohesive, integrated communications strategy aligned with an organization’s objectives and priorities.

• Experience as a people manager with strong leadership and team management skills, including a track record of leading and developing high-performing communications teams.

• Deep understanding of communications and media trends, principles, strategies, and tactics, with expertise in innovative messaging strategies to deploy an effective omni-channel approach.

• Experience in collaborating to strategically manage crisis situations by anticipating, preventing, and responding to media issues and crises and turning them to the benefit of the organization.

• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data, analyze market trends, and draw actionable insights.

• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels.

• Proven ability to drive results, meet deadlines, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking abilities.

• Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, adapt to change, and thrive in a dynamic business environment.

• Management experience.     

Physical Requirements

Normal physical job functions performed within a standard office environment. Reasonable accommodation may be made to individuals with physical challenges to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree and equivalent experience in communications, public relations, English, journalism, marketing, business, or related field. Master’s degree preferred. Official transcripts will be required.

• Ten (10) years of experience in communications, public relations, media relations, independently or with the support of an outside agency. At least three (3) years in a senior manager, director, or senior director capacity preferred.

• Experience overseeing annual or project budgets of $2MM-$5MM.

• Management experience. Five (5) years of experience as a people manager and leading teams.   

• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, resource allocation, timeline management, project management and personnel supervision.

• Former Experience: Corporate Communications, Internal Communications, Employee Communications, Executive Communications, Strategic Communications, Public Relations, Media Relations, Journalism (Print/Broadcast/Digital)

• Extensive knowledge of developing and executing proactive and reactive integrated communications strategies.

• Bilingual or multilingual preferred.

*** Will be subject to a criminal background check.  Some positions may be subject to a fingerprint check. *** 

Key Responsibilities 

• Build Communications Strategy & Plan – Leverage Brand strategy, key priorities, and best practices to form a cohesive, integrated Communications strategy and plan recommendation for senior management (Chancellor/L2/L3). Lead all proactive and reactive PR and Communications activities to build brand reputation and drive preference. Additionally, this leader will partner with Marketing, Digital and Events teams to coordinate media relations and issues management protocols across all facilities and departments.

• Messaging Strategy Innovation – Provide the organization with lea