Director, Communications and Marketing, GWSB

at  George Washington University

JOB DESCRIPTION SUMMARY:

The Office of Communications and Marketing is comprised of a high-performing team responsible for advancing the university’s reputation and telling GW’s story through a diverse array of university channels, including digital and web properties and publications, multimedia and web properties, creative services, publications, media relations and paid marketing efforts across the university. This office drives the strategy and tactics for highlighting and raising the visibility of the university’s experts, initiatives, and accomplishments.
We are seeking a Director, Communications and Marketing (GWSB). This position will develop and execute a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy to advance the school’s strategic priorities and elevate its reputation and visibility through engagement with key stakeholders. This position will report directly to GW’s Vice President of Communications and Marketing and work closely with the GWSB Dean. This is a management position at the university that, in addition to leading a work unit, leads and supervises staff directly, makes hiring decisions, provides coaching, training, and mentoring, manages performance, and determines future staffing needs.
The Director, Communications and Marketing will be responsible for designing and executing a comprehensive, strategic communications and marketing plan that advances the priorities and goals of the school and serves to engage current and prospective students, faculty, staff, peer institutions, alumni, and prospective donors. This position is a strategic partner to the dean and collaborates with members of the school’s senior leadership team to elevate their reputation, and rankings, build brand awareness, recruit, and retain a highly qualified and diverse student body, and strengthen affinity to the school among alumni and prospective donors. This position will help shape and iterate GWSB messaging across all school platforms, communications channels, and marketing products, emphasizing GWSB’s competitive advantages and differentiated value proposition while ensuring the brand is consistently conveyed to stakeholders.
The position will work closely with GW Communications and Marketing (research communications, media relations, university news, creative services, etc.) to promote GWSB internally and externally. This position will also provide communications and marketing guidance and support to GWSB academic chairs and directors, as well as the enrollment, admissions, research and development, and alumni relations teams.
This position will maintain strategic oversight of the GWSB web and social media presence as well as the development of ad campaigns, print and digital marketing materials, multimedia programming, and digital newsletters. This position will also work with the GWSB Dean on critical internal communications as well as speeches, talking points, and video content to engage and inform key stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

• Management of Strategic Communication Channels
• Website Development and Management
• Collaboration and Coordination with External Partners and Key Stakeholders
• Reporting and Analysis
• Media Relations and Crisis Communications
• Supporting Internal Communications
• Support the Dean
• Events Communications Leadership and Support
• Print and digital publication production
• Admissions Communications and Marketing Strategy
• Alumni and Development Communications and Marketing Partnerships

Performs other related duties as assigned. The omission of specific duties does not preclude the supervisor from assigning duties that are logically related to the position.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Qualified candidates will hold a Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate area of specialization plus 8 years of relevant professional experience, or, a Master’s degree or higher in a relevant area of study plus 6 years of relevant professional experience. Degree must be conferred by the start date of the position. Degree requirements may be substituted with an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Prior experience as a journalist and/or command over a wide range of specialty areas—strategic communications, social media strategy, marketing, multimedia, programming, leadership communications, and public relations—strongly preferred.
• Experience leading a communications team.
• Experience working in an academic setting is also preferred, as well as experience leading and/or working on a multi-functional communications and marketing team.
• Strong understanding of digital media and website management.
• Expertise in state-of-the-art digital marketing techniques.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.
• Experience implementing and developing new systems and/or programs and executing strategies.
• Experience working with, and managing vendors, as well as their work.
• Experience developing and coordinating customized multi-channel campaigns for individual programs.
• Experience working within a higher education environment and leading matrix staff located in multiple sites.
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills, self-motivated, and a demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work under pressure to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, ambiguity, and conflicting goals.
• Ability to interact effectively with a diverse population at all levels, facilitate decision-making and conflict resolution, maintain a positive and constructive demeanor treating all staff, students, faculty, and vendors with professionalism, courtesy, and respect.
• Initiative-taker, results-oriented leader.

• Management of Strategic Communication Channels
• Website Development and Management
• Collaboration and Coordination with External Partners and Key Stakeholders
• Reporting and Analysis
• Media Relations and Crisis Communications
• Supporting Internal Communications
• Support the Dean
• Events Communications Leadership and Support
• Print and digital publication production
• Admissions Communications and Marketing Strategy
• Alumni and Development Communications and Marketing Partnership