Director of Strategic Communications (18708)

About the Department/Unit

Summary/Objective

Essential Functions

1. Communications: Branding - Establish, advance, and execute messaging and identity for the Kogod School of Business, in coordination with university identity standards. Develops the School’s visual identity and designs and produces integrated marketing collateral materials that promote academic programs, services, and faculty. Content - Direct a refined content strategy for business school. Ensure competitive positioning, search optimization, efficient use of resources, and communication workflow among program offices, faculty departments, and other key stakeholders. Works closely with the assistant dean and senior staff to identify communication priorities. Collaborates in the production of all publications; including video, print publications (collateral materials), email newsletters, and others. Web - Includes oversight for kogod.american.edu, social media channels, email campaigns/communications, multimedia, externally hosted websites, and apps. Monitoring of Kogod’s reputation online, including inclusion or exclusion from other digital portals and forums. Communication - Manage KSB communications to internal and external constituencies including reports, presentations and messages by the Dean.  Review and vet KSB messaging for signature/special events (Orientation, Commencement, Lecture Series) in conjunction with KSB Senior Leadership and Events Coordinator.
2. Media relations: Work with AU Communications, PR partner, and media outlets to coordinate opportunities for KSB faculty and staff in the media and in any public space. Develop media relations strategy for KSB faculty and staff.  Provide media training in conjunction with the University Communications. Assist Kogod faculty in creating a strategy to communicate the public impact of their scholarship.
3. Administration/Management: Direct workflow of communications staff.  Manage contracts, including bidding, negotiating, invoicing, and vendor evaluation. Issue Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and evaluate responses. Liaison across campus and within School, working with University’s marketing, media relations, publications and information technology offices to coordinate resources and ensure compliance with campus wide efforts. Involved and counsel on school activities related to image, visuals, and rankings.   
4. Other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility

• The Director of Strategic Communication reports to the Assistant Dean of Marketing & Strategy and supervises a full-time Senior Designer Social Media Manager and Communications Manager and additional part-time graduate and undergraduate assistants/work study student as needed.. 
• This position is a staff position, budget decisions are made by this position.
• This position serves as a school liaison with external vendors.

Work Environment

• This position works independently on the majority of required tasks and is empowered to make decisions on behalf of the college. 

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Full Time.
• Team Leader/Consultant A.
• Exempt.

Salary Range

• $105,000.00 - $115,000.00/year; to commensurate with experience.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in interactive communications, marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum 8 years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, or related fields.
• Deep understanding of online marketing and communications, specifically writing for the web, social media and project management experience.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate and build long term relationships with on campus and off campus partners, vendors and agencies and coordinate with on campus resources.
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines while paying close attention to detail.
• Proficient computer skills including the Microsoft office suite, Adobe Suite, web graphics, video editing, database development, and the tools required to fulfill the position’s responsibilities as technology evolves.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks with particular attention to detail.
• Knowledge of guerrilla marketing tactics and social media strategies.
• Experience managing direct reports.
• Expertise in strategic planning, professional marketing and brand leadership, and audience insight.
• A strategic thinker with a natural curiosity to continually improve results and experiment with new methods and ideas.
• Demonstrated ability to use and interpret data to inform marketing decisions.
• Familiarity with marketing tools, such as HubSpot or Salesforce.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master’s Degree in information technology, marketing, or related fields.
• Experience with both traditional and digital paid media.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
• To ensure the health and safety of our community AU requires COVID-19 vaccinations for faculty and staff. Click here to learn more about our health and safety directive.
• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.