Associate Director, Communications

Job Profile Summary

Under the direction of the Senior Director, Public Relations and Communications, this position will oversee and assist in the execution of the strategies developed by the Public Relations and Communications department. These approaches will be multi-faceted communications programs designed to build and strengthen the College's role and reputation as a leader and authoritative voice in fields that generate enrollment and other identified metrics of success. This position will play a key role in developing and implementing the overall messaging and positioning that is external facing for surrounding communities and marketing campaigns. Working alongside peers, oversees guidelines and policies set for messaging, and provide quality control for communications programs.

Manages and coordinates all internal and external communication directives as assigned.

After-hours work for College events may be required.

  

Minimum Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, or related field from an accredited college or university.

Minimum Experience/Training:

• Four years of communications, public relations or related experience.

Preferred Experience/Training:

• Serving in communications role in a public organization
• Public Relations Society of America certification (APR).
• FEMA Certification for Public Information (Basic, Advanced PIO)
• Certification in emergency/crisis communications (NIMS, ICS, etc.)

Essential Functions:

• Daily - 10%: Assists in the development, oversight and implementation of a strategic communications plan to support the organization's mission, goals and objectives.
• Daily - 10%: Builds and fosters collaborative relationships with other departments within the organization to stay informed and abreast of new initiatives, programs and grants, etc.
• Other - 10%: Develops a variety of written content, including speaking points/speeches, Op-Eds, news releases, feature stories as well as copy for publications including, but not limited to, brochures, flyers, posters and photos/multimedia. Establishes production timetable, reviews communication materials, oversees distribution of materials to media before, during and after Board meetings and other events.
• Other - 10%: Establishes and oversees departmental system for maintaining and archiving press clippings. Prepares summary reports for all communications, events and social media efforts. Proofreads as necessary.
• Other - 10%: Builds relationships with professional counterparts in other professional organizations, advocacy organizations and community organizations through organizational initiatives and jointly sponsored communication campaigns and programs.
• Daily - 10%: Pitches stories for distribution/publication. Contributes stories and photos to website and publications.
• Other - 5%: Ensures media participation, promotes spokespeople, and arranges media interviews with College Subject Matter Experts.
• Daily -15%: Acts as back-up public information officer, assisting in responding to requests for information from the media. Follows up with media and facilitates interviews and photo shoots and accompanies media when at a College campus/location.
• Other - 5%: Monitors media and social media to track results from news releases and marketing efforts.
• Other - 5%: Prepares Public Relations department materials for competition entries.
• Other - 5%: Represents the College and department on various community committees and participates in organizing joint events.
• Other - 5%: Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent communication and writing skills to interact with a diverse population and communicate complex subject matter tailored for the audience.
• Experience serving as an organizational public information officer/spokesperson; ability to provide interviews for members of the media (on camera, virtually, phone)
• Strong interpersonal skills for direct connection with key stakeholders internally and externally.
• Ability to think strategically and execute strategies based on action plans, and strong organizational skills.
• General understanding of the external environment and how it affects academia in general and Broward College in particular.
• Knowledge of College's structure, policies and practices, and the impact on own area.
• Ability to be part of a team, working together to accomplish agreed upon goals and objectives.
• Ability to partner with others across the College and externally to exchange information, collaborate on projects, share resources, etc.
• Understanding of emergency management functions, in accordance with the National Incident Management Systems