Associate Director for Academic Communications

Position Summary
Under general supervision this position will lead the college/school’s strategic academic communications efforts. This position is fully integrated within LMU’s Marketing, Communications, and External Relations team and, as an embedded professional, is responsible for creating, developing and implementing all phases and elements of a robust communications strategy, in line with the university brand, which supports a culture of community awareness, transparency and constituent engagement. Reporting to the senior director of Communications, this position plays a pivotal role in producing and disseminating key college level messages and narratives. The Associate Director creates, edits, and publishes college level publications (traditional and digital), manages editorial schedules and projects, and interacts with all levels of the college to ensure effective communications. The Associate Director also collaborates with the Marketing team on all college level marketing initiatives

Position Specific Responsibilities/Accountabilities

Leadership and Personnel Management

• Research, design, produce, write and/or edit copy for college publications, including, but not limited to: college websites, college newsletters, publicity materials for the college events and centers (e.g. postcards, advertisements, brochures, etc.) articles that may appear in university publications, letters and other general communications.

• Serve as the primary liaison between the embedded area and the larger MarComm organization, facilitating cross-departmental collaboration to accomplish shared goals.

• Gather information and stay abreast of research and scholarly activities within the college, as well as events and activities of college/school’s student organizations and alumni groups affiliated with the college. Interview college faculty, staff and students in order to generate timely content for online and print publications.

• Coordinate with MarComm colleagues to ensure alignment of college communications efforts and goals with the university’s overall communications strategy.

• Proofread and edit departmental communications projects as assigned.

• Collect and maintain information on college events, lectures and activities for inclusion in the college’s online calendar of events.

• Collaborate with the Communications Solutions and Digital Services team to develop an online content maintenance plan that ensures the timely updates of news, events and general content of the college website.

• Provide photographic coverage (for various online and print publications) and/or coordinate with MarComm colleagues to provide an LMU photographer for events sponsored by the college, including the various college/school’s centers, and student organizations.

• Create and manage an effective communications plan utilizing social media appropriate for various target audiences and constituencies of the college/school.

• Research and analyze current and emerging issues in higher education, focusing topics of interest for the dean.

• In collaboration with the Dean and MarComm, provide relevant background information and “talking points” for LMU speakers for special events and meetings. Record proceedings and prepare executive summaries as assigned.

• Assist college Dean with the preparation of other materials for publication and projects as assigned.

• Complete other duties and projects as assigned.

Loyola Marymount University Expectations

Exhibit behavior that supports the mission, vision, and values of the university. Communicate and employ interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional, responsible, accountable and ethical conduct. Demonstrate a commitment to outstanding customer service.

The incumbent must have the ability to supervise creative, communications and technical personnel and manage complex projects with dependencies, deadlines, budgets and outside resources. The incumbent must possess the ability to implement marketing and communication principles and strategies in the execution of video projects. The incumbent must have the ability to initiate ideas, develop concepts and review the effectiveness of processes to ensure professional standards and high quality. The incumbent has the ability to assess the needs of internal clients and suggest appropriate measures to meet those needs. The incumbent is able to work effectively and independently with internal and external constituencies. The incumbent has the ability to operate in an environment in which skilled relationship management and consensus-building is required to deliver successful outcomes.

Requisite Qualifications

• Typically, a Bachelor’s