Assistant Director of Communications

Description

JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for developing and executing communication strategies to advance and protect Columbia College’s reputation with key audiences through a variety of owned and earned channels.  This position also provides internal communications support to campus leaders; and performs other related duties as assigned.  This position reports to the Director of Marketing and Communications.

Qualifications

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Develops proactive media relations strategies to drive awareness of and interest in the College and its programs.
• Creates and distributes informative and engaging communication materials in print and digital form to external media partners and stakeholders. Materials include press releases, articles, and internal/external newsletters.
• Manages communications and represents the College during urgent situations requiring immediate communications, including media, social media, and external inquiries.
• Provides appropriate responses to all other media inquiries.
• Organizes and arranges the logistics of news conferences during special announcements and special events.
• Develops and maintains relationships with local media to ensure the most effective positioning of the College in external channels in order to strengthen our reputation.
• Manages the College’s external website.
• Manages the College’s intranet, KoalaConnection.
• Trains and supervises website content editors across campus.
• Leverages media monitoring tools to report and improve upon key metrics.
• Assists with video scripting, shooting, and editing for special projects.
• Coordinates on-campus photography including advertising photo shoots, event photography, and student photography team.
• Provides communication support for internal stakeholders across the College, such as the President's Office, Admissions, Development, Athletics, and Alumni Relations.
• Collaborates with the marketing team to develop and execute a content marketing strategy to further drive engagement through social and web channels.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK: 

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, business administration or closely related field.
• Seven (7) years of experience in a communications role in a public-facing organization.
• Three (3) years of serving in a leadership capacity on a communications team in a public-facing organization.
• Prior experience in crisis communications.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Superior editing and proofreading skills.
• Prior experience with AP writing style.
• Ability to develop content, such as articles and media angles.
• Ability to supervise student workers.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, utilizing Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Microsoft Teams.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS TO PERFORM WORK: 

• Experience using PR/media monitoring services.
• Experience in working on Drupal, WordPress, and similar web platforms.
• Experience in email marketing platforms, including Mailchimp and Constant Contact.
• Proficiency in one or more Adobe Creative Suite programs (e.g., Premiere, Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator).
• Proficiency in Canvas.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to work independently with little direction.
• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work.
• Ability to meet schedules and timelines.
• Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Requires sedentary work that involves walking, standing, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis or routine keyboard operations.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work environment risks exposure to no known environmental hazards.

Application Instructions:

Please attach the following documents when applying: 

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• 2-3 Writing Samples (including at least one example as a press release).   

EOE M/F/D/V