Assistant Director of Communications

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.

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 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