Executive Director Of Communications, Marketing And Media Relations

Job Summary

The Executive Director of Communications, marketing, and Media Relations serves as the district's chief communications, brand identity, public relations, governmental affairs, information officer, and as an advisor to the president. The vision for the college is to foster inclusive excellence and to become the higher education institution of choice for the Northwest Region of Washington state and beyond. The Executive Director plays an essential role in these efforts. The incumbent oversees the communications, marketing strategy, messaging, execution, and evaluation of the district's brand identity to advance the strategic goals of the college. The department advances the mission and strategic priorities while communicating and expanding the visibility and brand awareness within the college, community, and greater region through coordinated efforts and messaging to diverse internal and external audiences. The incumbent provides district-wide leadership, mentorship, and support in the strategic advancement of the college locally and nationally.

Essential Functions

Leadership and Strategy

• Represent the college at various campus and community events.
• Develop and manage media, marketing, and social media platforms to highlight faculty, staff, and students contributions to the community, including presentations, performances, scholarship, civic, research, publications, excellence in teaching, training or service, national conference presentations, etc.
• In collaboration with campus stakeholders, the division is responsible for organizing special events such as commencement, fall kickoff week, anniversary celebrations, groundbreaking ceremonies, dedications, open houses, and the WVC Lecture Series; assists with other college special events such as the career fair, Friday Fun or Spirit Days, literary readings, music events, end-of-the-year celebrations, graduations, and others on campus and community functions as deemed appropriate.
• Manages department operations, including supervising staff and developing and managing department budgets, operations, goals and plans.
• Assist in the transformation and repositioning of the college as an educational training, workforce, and economic driver for the North Central Washington region and beyond.
• Serve as the primary communications coordinator for the president in ways that build understanding and support for the president’s leadership priorities. Develop communication that reflects the president’s voice and style across a range of formats and settings from message points to presentations.
• Serves on the president's cabinet, shared governance, and in other capacities on behalf of the college, including assisting with the development, milestone achievement, impact, and outcomes of the college's mission, vision, values and strategic priorities.
• The department develops and implements research-driven, results-oriented communications and marketing plans and oversees the development of strategic messaging and consistent graphic identity to build the college's brand in ways that attract and educate current and future students and diverse audiences.
• The Executive Director will oversee the college's website, special events, photography, graphic design, marketing, and image and highlight the college's strengths, strategic initiatives and progress updates.
• The areas of responsibilities include campus and community communication efforts, media, brand identity, legislative relations, advertising, publications, strategic planning documents, milestone updates, and annual goal metrics and accomplishment efforts.
• Develop systems of efficiency, assessment, effectiveness, and continuous improvement, including the prioritization of workflow for direct reports and departmental staff.
• Participate actively in the SBCTC PIO network.

• Serves as the primary media contact and official college spokesperson related to internal or external affairs.
• Guide the strategic messaging, compelling, and consistent graphic identity to build the district's brand in ways that foster innovation, support the college enrollment growth and student success and completion initiatives, improve stakeholders' communication, and increase the visibility of the college within the district, nationally and internationally.
• Departmental responsibilities include writing and editing presentations, speeches, print and electronic publications, social media and digital materials. The department also administers and approves district and all external print and electronic publications and manages Media Relations.
• The department is charged with telling Wenatchee Valley College's stories to a broad range of audiences, positioning the college to lead, succeed and thrive.
• Responsible for general communications aspects of the WVC website and other social media, including content development, design, marketing messages and addressing audience needs.
• Plan, create, produce, and distribute publications, including annual reports, catalogs, class schedules, brochures, flyers, posters, fact cards, viewbooks, newsletters, etc.
• Assist the president’s office in developing monthly video messaging for the campus and community, and “Inclusive Excellence on Display” short videos that feature a student, staff, faculty member and community stakeholders.
• Participate in the discussion and strategic planning for presidential events, including when hosting dignitaries, regional or statewide educational leaders, and other campus or community events.

• As part of the college's continuous improvement framework, the Executive Director will integrate metrics and analytics to measure the brand's effectiveness.
• Oversees and strengthens Wenatchee Valley College brand awareness by consistently communicating the college's distinctions to the campus, community and target audiences.
• Responsible for general communications aspects of the WVC website and other social media, including content development, design, marketing messages and addressing audience needs.
• Responsible for creating and placing paid advertisements for WVC classes, programs, services and activities.
• Responsible for design services for certificates, programs, invitations, postcards, banners, maps, signs, and other printed media and electronic materials.
• Responsible for branding elements, graphic design, photography, and videography services for print and electronic publications and news sources

• Provides leadership and assistance and advice to the president regarding campus and community affairs, local, state, and federal governmental, public relations and Media Relations functions.
• Develop and maintain media and public relations programs, including providing information through interviews, press releases, features, news tips, letters, and opinion pieces and developing good relationships with local media personnel.
• Participate in the discussion and strategic planning for board of trustees and presidential events, including educational and industry partnerships, hosting dignitaries, regional or statewide educational leaders, students or in collaboration with other stakeholders.
• Manages Media Relations in times of institutional crisis or critical incident.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, marketing, communications, business or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of marketing/communications leadership experience (manager of marketing, advertising, public relations, digital communications or related field).
• Experience supervising, directing and mentoring the work of others.
• Experience developing a communication or marketing plan with proven results.
• Working knowledge of graphic, web, and social media applications and tools, including MS Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite and website content management systems.
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to web accessibility standards.
• Experience creating digital content (such as Word/PDF documents and web content) in accessible formats.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively. Excellent written and oral communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to interact with colleagues at every level of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and execute a variety of tasks simultaneously and to exercise judgment and discretion.
• Demonstrated ability as a public speaker and serving as the organization’s representative at public and private events.
• Ability to work effectively with internal and external partners.
• Experience using AP Style for media communications.

• Master’s degree in a related field.
• Experience in higher education, government, and/or corporate public relations, communications, or marketing in large and complex organizational ecosystems.
• Working knowledge of state government and the political process.
• Demonstrated experience with marketing photography and video.
• Experience with brand development and professional writing.
• Diversity, equity and inclusion: Demonstrated competency and experience working in a diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological, gender and racial/ethnic backgrounds and those with physical, emotional and/or learning disabilities.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English.

• Customer Service: Knowledge of customer service skills and best practices with ability to provide general and specialized student support with professional courtesy, empathy, and interest in positive problem solving.
• Oral communication: Speak clearly and persuasively, actively listen and take the time to understand the points being made, including asking questions as appropriate and responding to questions.
• Quality: Accurate and thorough, look for ways to improve and promote quality, provide feedback to improve performance, monitor own work to ensure quality.
• Professionalism: Approach others in a tactful manner, react well under pressure, treat others with respect and consideration and follow through on commitments.
• Problem solving: Ability to assess situations and think beyond the immediate issue to anticipate and fulfill future needs before they become complications.
• Technical/computer skills: High level of proficiency and accuracy in Microsoft Office; familiarity with Canvas, PeopleSoft, and other college systems; ability to be cross-trained to provide basic technical support.
• Student services: Knowledge of college processes such as admissions, enrollment, and financial aid; ability to be cross-trained to provide student services support.
• FERPA: Maintain a high level of confidentiality and follow FERPA guidelines.

Additional Information

Terms of Employment:
This is full-time professional exempt position contracted on an annual basis. The salary for this position is $115,000 annually. The salary will be prorated to reflect the actual number of contract days worked in the remainder of the fiscal year. Flexibility in scheduling is required to meet the needs of the department.
Your paycheck is just part of the total compensation package. There is an outstanding benefits package which is worth an additional value equivalent to about 30% of your salary. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance; life and long- term disability insurance plans; vacation, sick and personal leave; reduced tuition; and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our benefits website at: https://www.wvc.edu/humanresources/benefits.html.
Work Schedule & Environment:

• Normal work hours are Monday through Friday, but occasional evening and weekend work may be required. Work in a busy office environment with frequent interruptions and distractions.

• Wenatchee Valley College only employs U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show proof of identity, and eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• All offers of employment are subject to background checks. Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Finalists are required to complete the sexual misconduct disclosure form as required under RCW 288.112.080.
• A valid Washington state driver's license may be required.

• Complete Wenatchee Valley College online application.
• Upload cover letter that specifically describes how your educational background and experience meet the minimum and preferred qualifications.
• Upload resume.
• Complete supplemental questions.

• To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, (509) 682-6716, title9@wvc.edu.
• To request disability accommodations: Student Access Manager, Wenatchi Hall 2133, (509) 682-6854, TTY/TTD: Dial 711, sas@wvc.edu.