Executive Director For Marketing And Communications

Middle Georgia State University (MGA), a multi-campus, baccalaureate and graduate degree granting public institution, is the most affordable public state university in Georgia. MGA has five campuses-Macon, Cochran, Dublin, Eastman, and Warner Robins, all located in central Georgia-and global outreach through its fully-online campus. Its enrollment of 8,000 students is largely comprised of students from most of Georgia's 159 counties. The University has six academic schools, including Georgia's flagship aviation university, that support its mission to educate and graduate inspired, lifelong learners whose scholarship and careers enhance the state.

The Marketing and CommunicationsExecutive Director at Middle Georgia State University develops, implements, and maintains the brand identity and brand voice of the university. This position is pivotal in shaping the overall strategy for the consistent branding of the university. The Executive Director leads and provides vision for the Marketing and Communications team responsible for developing marketing plans and messaging that aligns to the university's mission, values, and strategic plan. Position serves as the senior advisor for brand development and awareness, enrollment marketing, strategic communications, and the utilization of multiple media platforms. Position serves on the President's Cabinet.

Marketing (40%)-
Provide vision and leadership for the Office of University Marketing and Communications
Lead the development and execution of institutional marketing/communications plans that directly support the university's strategic plan and enrollment.
Lead annual advertising planning, messaging, and creative services to support enrollment objectives for undergraduate and graduate admissions.
Lead the direction of the University's brands and ensure consistent visual identity of the brand.
Collaborate regularly and closely with Enrollment Management/Admissions to grow student recruitment and new student enrollment in support of the university's strategic enrollment plan.
Lead marketing content strategy, planning, and development across multiple digital/web platforms (internal and external)
Communications (40%) -
Lead the development and execution of communication plans for institutional announcements that promote, enhance, and protect MGA's brand and identity.
Work closely with the university president and other senior leaders to capture ideas, tone, and perspective, and write impactful executive communications that convey those ideas to key stakeholders (internal and external)
Research, draft, and edit a range of executive communication products including talking points, blog posts, speeches, emails, high-profile correspondence, campus messaging, presentations, proposals,
Ensure all publications and efforts are aligned with state policies, federal regulations, and accreditation standards.
Cultivate and promote consistent communications across the university's five campuses, academic programs, departments, and in local communities that represent a unified university.
Collaborate with subject matter experts (deans and chairs) to understand how to develop communication and marketing for programs in aviation, business, education, health sciences, information technology, liberal arts, and sciences.
Crisis Communications/Public Relations (10%)-
Provide strategic counsel on reputation and issues management to senior leaders.
Lead crisis and issues communications planning and rapid response messaging to address critical events, ensuring crisis communication plan and message library remains accurate/current.
Assist with oversight and management of the student emergency alert system's messages across five campuses in collaboration with Chief of Police, includes ensuring communications align with federal communications and consumer acts, and CLERY requirements, as well as learning and maximizing technological advances in the alert system platform.
Other (10%) -
Performs other duties as assigned.

Educational Requirements
Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, media or a closely related field
Required Experience
Seven (7) years of professional-level experience in Marketing and Communications
Successful track record in creation and execution of marketing plans, digital campaigns, and brand building
Experience leading teams and organizational efforts.
Experience in successful budget management, oversight, and planning - preferably in advertising.

Preferred Educational Qualifications

Master's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, media or a closely related field

Preferred Experience

Experience working within higher education, preferably in support of admissions/recruitment.

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of integrated marketing plans and campaigns across owned and paid channels
• Knowledge of marketing best practices and digital media landscape
• Knowledge of SEO, user centered design, and web content best practices
• Knowledge of marketing budget development and management
• Knowledge of issues and challenges facing higher education
• Knowledge of university admissions and recruitment best practices
• Skill in decision making and problem solving.
• Skills in interpersonal relations and in dealing with the public.
• Skill in oral and written communication
• Skill in developing marketing objectives that support business goals and establishing strategies that drive results.
• Skill in working with creative services teams as well as outside vendors and agencies.
• Skill in writing and editing

Middle Georgia State University is an equal employment, equal access, and equal educational opportunity. It is the policy of the Middle Georgia State University to recruit, hire, train, promote and educate persons without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or veteran status as required by applicable state and federal laws (including Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, Sections 503, and 504, ADEA, ADA, E.O. 11246, and Rev. Proc. 75-50).

For questions or more detailed information regarding this policy, please contact the Middle Georgia State University Office of Human Resources at 478.471.2010. Individuals requiring disability related accommodations for participation in any event or to obtain print materials in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources.

Every member of the USG community is required to adhere to the USG Statement of Core Values - Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect - that form and guide the daily work of the organization.
Middle Georgia State University is committed to four core values in what we do and represent:
CORE VALUES: Stewardship - Engagement - Adaptability - Learning

This is a full-time, 12-month, exempt (salaried) staff position and includes a comprehensive benefits package. Benefits include:

• Health insurance
• Dental
• Vision
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Life Insurance
• Sick Leave
• Vacation Leave
• Parental Leave
• Retirement
• Employee discounts
• Tuition reimbursement

Employment offer is contingent upon completing a background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your employment eligibility with MGA, as determined by MGA in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application material and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check.