Senior Director of Communications

Openings: 1

Description

Gustavus Adolphus College seeks a talented and seasoned Senior Director of Communications to join our team full time. The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional leadership and an understanding of how communications plays a vital role in the effectiveness of our school’s overall goals. This position will oversee direct reports for both our internal and external communications initiatives. It will help us build a unified voice while driving impact and establishing collective uplift for our entire Gustavus community. This position is key to furthering the College’s communication and marketing objectives, including student enrollment, engaging Alumni and donors, and amplifying the energy across campus.

Employment Status: Full-time (1.0 FTE), Exempt (Salaried), and Benefits-Eligible

Salary Range: $80,000-$90,000

JOB SUMMARY: This position is a key leadership role on the marketing and communication team, working closely with the Chief Marketing Officer to align and manage the daily operations of our internal and external communications. You will have a hand in shaping the strategy for how Gustavus is known to prospective and current students, faculty, donors, sponsors and partners across the region. Your mission is to help Gustavus differentiate itself from the rest — building communications principles and assets in an authentic way. Your work will impact everyone who has a hand in discussing who we are as Gusties. This collective uplift will be part of your day-to-day approach. Your expertise will help Gustavus faculty better showcase our core values and what sets us apart from the rest, elevate our placements in the media, and deliver results that will help our school shine.

Main Responsibilities

• Contribute to a growing, high-performing team while demonstrating collaboration, leadership and a culture of shared accountability.
• Oversee direct reports.
• Work closely with the Chief Marketing Officer to build and safeguard our overall strategy for effectively communicating Gustavus Adolphus’ mission.
• Lead the internal and external communications work for Gustavus.
• Oversee PR and media relations approach and day to day work.
• Stay up to date on public affairs and timely topics impacting our industry and Gustavus.
• Stand-up an embedded communicators process and program to be rolled out campus wide. Manage group and provide leadership around timely messages, coordination, key moments, etc.
• Build media relationships within the neighborhood, twin cities, and industry reporters and leaders. Pitch and deliver high-quality and timely stories. Oversee owned, paid, and earned communication.
• Manage agency relationships relating to communications.
• Provide leadership to KPI tracking and monthly reporting.
• Build strong relationships with business partners across college departments, prioritizing partnerships and elevating collective messaging across all sectors.
• Work closely with key contractors, and manage ongoing progress of contracted work.
• Collaborate with the full marketing team to ensure messaging is streamlined across all platforms.
• Contribute to the Marketing & Communications team’s strategic goals, planning and outcomes.
• Lead the development and management of messaging for our core audiences
• Work closely with partners, while leading communication strategy across campus.
• Build and oversee crisis communications and risk management plans for external communications.
• Align priorities with external sponsors and partners, ensuring all deliverables are achieved, documented and measured.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Prerequisites

Skills & Qualifications

• Education/Training: Degree in journalism, public relations, strategic communications, English or a related field.
• Experience: A minimum of 10 years of paid industry experience in a related field, including 7 years with direct reports.
• Executive Counsel: Demonstrate previous experience working effectively and collaboratively with executive leaders and business partners.
• Writing: Proficiency in AP style.
• Software Proficiency: Proficiency in Google Suite apps and/or MS Office, Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Media Tracking: Experience in using a media tracking system, and building recaps to highlight placements, impressions and media value (e.g. Meltwater, Muck Rack, etc.)
• Website Experience: Background Content Management Systems (e.g. Drupal, WordPress).
• Email Communications: Experience with drafting and sending emails to internal lists.
• Social Media and Emotional Storytelling: Experience creating short-form content (e.g., social media posts) and content that conveys emotional storytelling.
• Business Mindset: Understanding of how creative content is used and conveyed through key messaging and executive counsel, with an emphasis on brand and messaging.
• Independence: Ability to work independently, take initiative, and manage projects from start to finish.
• Creative and Detail-Oriented: A creative mindset with a keen eye for detail.
• Communication and Collaboration: Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues, students, and partners.
• Time Management: Ability to work under tight deadlines, manage multiple projects, and prioritize effectively in a fast-paced environment.
  
  

How to apply: Visit https://gustavus.edu/jobs/ to complete the online application and submit a resume and cover letter.

Gustavus Offers Competitive And Comprehensive Benefits Which Include

• Medical insurance (which includes access to Nice Healthcare) as well as dental, vision, and life insurance
• Workplace accommodations for physical or mental health concerns
• Onsite health services
• Free parking, exercise classes, and use of library and athletic facilities
• Paid parental leave
• Employer contribution to retirement savings plan (after one year of employment)
• Tuition scholarships for dependents
• Tuition benefit plan for employees and spouse
• 13 paid Holidays generous PTO plan
  
  

Gustavus Adolphus College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status in its education or employment programs or activities.

Gustavus Adolphus College is one of the nation’s leading private liberal arts colleges serving approximately 2,000 students. The College aspires to be a community of persons from diverse backgrounds who respect and affirm the dignity of all people. Known for its strong science, writing, music, athletics, study-away, and service-learning programs, Gustavus is located on a scenic 340-acre hill in St. Peter, Minnesota only one hour southwest of the Twin Cities.

Contact

Leah Wong | lwong@gustavus.edu | 507-933-7576

Posted: Thu Apr 3, 2025

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