Executive Director for Communications and Marketing

at  North Carolina State University

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Requires a relevant post-Baccalaureate degree with a minimum of three (3) years or greater of related professional experience, or a relevant undergraduate degree and a minimum of five (5) years or greater of relevant experience may be substituted for the advanced degree.

OTHER REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Management experience of a team(s).
• Interpersonal and organizational skills to keep communications focused on the COE’s goals, objectives, and priorities.
• Broad communications expertise, relationship skills, and results.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to develop and execute successful communications strategies and campaigns, with 10 or more years of relevant experience in positions of increasing responsibility, and at least 5 years in a supervisory or management capacity.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• Current or prior experience in higher education, engineering or science is preferred, but not required.

Administrative

• Integrated Strategy & Planning: Develop comprehensive, integrated marketing and communications plans that maximize opportunities among the various COE departments with target audiences, objectives and channels. Oversee roles and responsibilities and execution of the combined plans’ elements in close collaboration with internal leads. Evaluate each plan’s success, seeking feedback and making adjustments for continuous improvement.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Engage with leaders throughout the COE to remain current on organizational strengths and priorities and to communicate and involve those leaders in the communications agenda. Foster consensus and further the values of the COE through collaborative, inclusive leadership.
• Team & Capabilities Building: Assess, identify, and address the needs or gaps in staffing, budget, infrastructure, critical capabilities and external resources.
• Ways of Working and Resource Management: Establish best practices, protocols, procedures, and workflows in COE communications that foster productivity and efficiency. Lead professional development, performance reviews, coaching and mentoring of staff in partnership with Human Resources. Oversee communications plans and project budgets

ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

The Executive Director for Communications and Marketing will lead NC State College of Engineering’s (COE) integrated marketing and communications planning, strategies, and implementation. The Executive Director will help advance the COE’s goals by developing and delivering comprehensive, multi-channel communications campaigns, while working closely with various internal partners. This leader will have the following key mandates:

• To enhance COE’s reputation and standing as one of the country’s top (and largest in terms of enrollment) engineering schools in support of recruitment, philanthropy and key partnerships.
• To lead communications and marketing programs that align with and drive the school and university’s strategies and priorities, promote the work and success of the departments and the COE overall, and result in measurable outcomes.
• To ensure cohesive positioning and messaging for the COE, while supporting and differentiating the distinct attributes, audiences and goals of the COE’s departments and research centers.
• To apply best practices, make best use of resources and maximize return on investment in the development and implementation of a college-wide communications strategy.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategy & Planning: Establish communications priorities, a messaging platform, and target audience outreach strategies for the COE. Deliver content through targeted channels and methods that increase visibility and engagement.
• Reputation Enhancement: In collaboration with COE leaders, support outreach initiatives that advance the COE’s reputation with its targeted stakeholders. Work with department chairs and other COE leaders on an effective rankings strategy. Maintain the COE communications assets, including facts, rankings, biographies, data points, etc.
• Proactive Media Relations: Work collaboratively with the NC State media relations team to achieve a significant increase in strategic, positive media coverage. Develop a process for securing feature articles, expert commentary and other coverage with mainstream and scientific press, and key digital outlets.
• Internal Communications: In partnership with the dean’s office, Human Resources, Student Affairs and other internal partners, enhance internal communications at the COE. Advise leaders on a consistent cadence and effective means of outreach to faculty, staff and students.
• Thought Leadership & Positioning: Through targeted opportunities, position COE leaders and key faculty as subject matter experts in defined priority areas.
• Digital Channels and Assets: Enhance the COE’s online presence by optimizing use of website and digital platforms and technologies that support its goals and enhance its reputation. Recommend and institute improvements or phase out platforms as needed. Establish needed capabilities in listening, analytics and optimization. Ensure online content is current, accurate and supports positioning goals.
• Dean’s Communications: Lead the development of a strategic communications plan and process for the dean. Communicate priorities and successes to target audiences, and support key initiatives through effective communications materials (digital content, presentations, white papers, videos, emails, etc.).
• Development Communications: Work with the assistant dean of philanthropy and other fundraising leaders to develop an annual development communications plan to drive donor awareness, engagement, giving and recognition. Support constituent engagement, fundraising, and donor stewardship through compelling messaging and tools.
• Visual Design and Storytelling: Oversee creative services and content strategies to develop effective digital, print, and multimedia materials that builds the COE brand and supports the goals of its departments and research centers. Ensure visual assets support positioning and reputation.
• Issues Management: Work closely with the NC State communications team to effectively anticipate and respond to issues. Help develop a framework for addressing concerns, highlighting positive messages and communicating to key stakeholders within the COE.
• Vendor oversight: Manage selection, oversight and relationships with external vendors, agencies, and consultants to extend and make efficient use of staff and resources.

Administrative

• Integrated Strategy & Planning: Develop comprehensive, integrated marketing and communications plans that maximize opportunities among the various COE departments with target audiences, objectives and channels. Oversee roles and responsibilities and execution of the combined plans’ elements in close collaboration with internal leads. Evaluate each plan’s success, seeking feedback and making adjustments for continuous improvement.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Engage with leaders throughout the COE to remain current on organizational strengths and priorities and to communicate and involve those leaders in the communications agenda. Foster consensus and further the values of the COE through collaborative, inclusive leadership.
• Team & Capabilities Building: Assess, identify, and address the needs or gaps in staffing, budget, infrastructure, critical capabilities and external resources.
• Ways of Working and Resource Management: Establish best practices, protocols, procedures, and workflows in COE communications that foster productivity and efficiency. Lead professional development, performance reviews, coaching and mentoring of staff in partnership with Human Resources. Oversee communications plans and project budgets.

Qualifications