Executive Director

Located in Morrow, Georgia, Clayton State University is roughly 15 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta. The university offers employees an adaptable, collaborative environment that fosters professional and personal development.

The university is committed to having a positive impact on the State of Georgia and beyond by serving students and the community through broadening access to high-quality education and advancing workforce development. Clayton State offers multiple certificates, Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's Degree programs, which currently enroll over 5,500 students in challenging campus and online courses.

Clayton State's main campus is situated on 214 beautiful acres in a lakeside setting just minutes from downtown Atlanta, making access to the vibrant metropolitan area swift. The Atlanta-Journal Constitution has named the university a Top Workplace in Atlanta for six consecutive years. The Chronicle of Higher Education also named Clayton State one of 79 higher education institutions across the nation in its list of 2017 Great Colleges to Work For.

The division of Enrollment, Marketing & Student Success seeks a full-time Executive Director, Marketing & Communication. The University is seeking an exceptional individual to join our team as an intellectually curious, strategic thinker who understands the complexity of public higher education and its changing landscape. The successful candidate will have a broad set of experiences with a deep understanding of crisis communications, media/PR/government relations, and project management. The ideal candidate will have a positive attitude and an active, forward-thinking perspective that is characterized by highly ethical practices and a commitment to diversity, flexibility, intrinsic motivation, and collaboration. This position will report to the Vice President of Enrollment, Marketing & Student Success (VPEM&SS).

The Executive Director will be responsible for leading and/or managing several critical areas at the University, including public relations, marketing strategy and communication engagements, brand identity and visual strategy (including and digital designs), website, photography, and social media. This work will also include working collaboratively with other functions across campus. The Executive Director also serves as the University' s chief spokesperson and is charged with promoting the Clayton State University brand in a myriad of ways resulting in increased visibility for the University.

As the University's Senior communications, marketing and branding officer, the Director leads the overall strategic communications and marketing direction, operations, project management and data analysis for the University. The Executive Director will play a key role in the execution of the marketing and branding of the University¿s mission, vision, values as well as the strategic plan and strategic enrollment plan. This position primarily works in support of the Enrollment (40%), university marketing/communication (30%), strategic initiatives/special projects (20%) crises management (10%).

• The Executive Director will inspire a culture of collegiality, professionalism, and collaboration within the departments under their supervision and across campus.
• Plan, develop, and execute a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy that supports the overall mission and objective of Clayton State University.
• Champion efforts to articulate the identity and branding clearly and concisely for the University for both internal and external audiences.
• Provide ongoing thought leadership to identify specific opportunities to advance the reputation of Clayton State University and utilize a creative communication approach to maximizing those opportunities.
• Provide leadership and active management for the marketing and communications team which includes publications, website, media, and public relations.
• Develop a robust digital marketing strategy that increases the University's engagement with key audiences.
• Develop a proactive media relations strategy and program designed to enhance the image and reputation of the University in the media, among the public, and with other constituencies. In addition to media relations, this strategy will also include a comprehensive crisis communications plan. Serve as an active member of the University's Crisis Management Team.
• Develop a set of metrics to assist in evaluating the effectiveness of all University marketing communications programs.

• Bachelor's degree.
• At least 5 -7 years¿ experience in higher education marketing and communications or related field.
• Experience with 3-5 years of professional staff supervisory experience.
• Significant experience in communications and marketing, preferably in a higher education environment or enrollment marketing experience with a proven track record for developing and implementing strategic marketing plans.
• Must be proficient in Banner, Microsoft Office suite, and data analysis.
• Experience with marketing and communication strategies within the field of enrollment (including CRM campaign strategies) and retention.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, and proofreading skills.
  

• Master's degree preferred.
• 7 years¿ experience in higher education marketing and communications.
• Ideal candidates will have experience in the field of higher education, marketing, communication, public relations and/or business.

• Knowledge of the' principles, practices, and trends of well as the ability to quickly acquire general knowledge of the university's policies, procedures, and practices of the campus organizational structure.
• Working knowledge of student retention strategies (undergraduate and graduate), advising models, and student success programming for online/remote populations.
• Demonstrated ability to implement successful change initiatives in a dynamic environment.
• Exceptional skills in managing, motivating, and supporting creative people with proven results in building a high-performing and cohesive marketing and communications team.
• Demonstrated ability at leading and managing change.
• Strong interpersonal skills with proven experience at building connections and relationships with people throughout the campus and community.
• Demonstrated knowledge and a high degree of competence in the detailed understanding of public media.
• An excellent team player, who enjoys and thrives in a collaborative and dynamic environment.
• Excellent critical thinking skills, analytical skills, and attention to detail.
• The ability to work independently and with minimal supervision at times.
• A leader who is results oriented and possesses high energy and a positive attitude.
• Ability to make sound data informed decisions.
• Creates a culture of exemplary customer service.
• Ability to multi-task, work in a constantly changing environment and implement creative (outside of the box) student success strategies.
• Excellent communications skills, both oral and written.

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Clayton State University will have a positive impact on the State of Georgia and beyond by serving students and the community through broadening access to high-quality education and advancing workforce development. Our statement of core values is adaptability, collaboration, excellence, integrity, and people-centered. Each Clayton State University community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on Clayton State's Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct can be found online at https://www.clayton.edu/strategic-plan/mission-vision-values and https://www.clayton.edu/human-resources/current-employees/resources-policies

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation, including a criminal background check demonstrating eligibility for employment with Clayton State University, as determined by Clayton State University in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Candidate must disclose potential, actual, or apparent conflicts of interest in compliance.

Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, statutes, rules, and regulations of this institution and the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.

Clayton State University is an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity and affirmative action institution. It is the policy of the University to recruit, hire, train, promote and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnical origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws (including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Sections 503, and 504, AREA, ADA, E.O. 11246, and Rev. Proc. 75-50). Clayton State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Institution. For questions or more detailed information regarding this policy please contact the Clayton State University Office of Human Resources at (678) 466-4230. Individuals requiring disability related accommodations for participation in any event or to obtain print materials in an alternative format, please contact the Disability Resource Center at: (678) 466-5445.

This position may be considered a Campus Security Authority, CSA. A Campus Security Authority is a Clery-specific term that encompasses certain departments, groups, and individual employees who have a duty to report crimes they become aware of, as defined by the Clery Act.