Position description

Department: 062560/Communications

Position title: Director of Communications and Marketing

Reports to: University President

General: Responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy for Saint Martin’s University in order to maintain and enhance the university’s relationship and reputation among its various constituencies including alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and the broader public. Serves as the university’s chief spokesperson to a variety of media and involves university faculty, staff and volunteers as needed.

Responsibilities and essential functions:

• Develops and implements a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy to advance Saint Martin’s relationship and reputation among its various constituencies and the public.
• Coordinates a comprehensive marketing plan.
• Responsible for the management and fulfillment of all external and many internal publications, publicity and information programs of the university.
• Designs, writes and edits or coordinates the design, writing, and editing of university publications including Insights (the university’s quarterly alumni magazine), annual report, academic catalogs, departmental brochures and other publications of the institution.
• Provides oversight for the university’s Web site to include policy, design, content and editorial guidance, including heading the web site committee.
• Develops and implements university-wide graphic and style standards.
• Establishes and maintains media relations to facilitate the reporting of university and alumni events, student activities, personnel changes, scholastic programs and awards, and other newsworthy occurrences through an active news release program for the print and broadcast media.
• Assists the President, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and other executive staff in preparing speeches, articles and other communication vehicles.
• Manages advertising for the university.
• Manages the university’s communications and marketing budgets.
• May serve as the university’s official representative at events including speaking engagements.
• Develops, manages and promotes a university-wide list of faculty and staff and their areas of expertise who can be used as resources for the media or speakers.
• Assists the Vice President for Institutional Advancement and the President of the university in Crisis Communication planning and implementation.
• Works with Directors of Development, Alumni Relations, Athletics, Admissions and other departmental directors to assess publications and promotional materials that support their areas of responsibility.
• Occasionally may serve the university in the role of public or governmental relations officer to include speaking engagements or representation of the university at official events.
• Supervises all staff in the Communications office. Serves as primary supervisor for regular and work study staff of the Communications office.
• Assures the maintenance of accurate media relations mailing and contact lists.
• Coordinates with printers, mailing houses, and other vendors for necessary support services.
• Selects and coordinates with freelance designers, writers and photographer as necessary.
• Participating member of the President’s Cabinet.
• Attends Board of Trustee meetings and submits reports to the board.
• Maintains photo, slide and news clip files.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Strong, effective oral communication with constituents and the public in a variety of settings.
• Ability to coordinate various marketing initiatives with a variety of campus constituents.
• Effective written communication in a variety of formats.
• Must have strong written and oral communication skills.
• Experience in design, writing and/or editing.
• Ability to effectively manage staff and volunteers.
• Effective and organized budget and office management.
• Effective and efficient use of Microsoft Office and other relevant computer based programs including spread sheet management.
• Knowledge of computerized desktop publishing; word processing, web and publications support software.
• Able to work in a stressful fast-paced environment and effectively manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Able to work effectively and collaboratively with co-workers, colleagues across the university, and alumni.
• Able to travel regularly, sometimes on short notice.

Physical demands:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Moves objects (less than 20 pounds) long distances (more than 20 feet).
• Ability to be mobile campus wide for appropriate business needs.
• Operates a variety of standard office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive arm-hand movements.

Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and three to five years in similar position of responsibility, preferably in higher education. Must be supportive of a Catholic, Benedictine philosophy of education.