Director of Marketing and Communications

Under the direct supervision of the Vice President for Advancement, the Director of Marketing and Communications is responsible for a range of marketing and communications activities, including all college marketing, media relations, website, electronic and print publications and crisis communications. The Director performs these duties following best practices within the guidelines of federal, state and local laws, as well as college, office and departmental policies and procedures. This position works with administrators, faculty, staff, alumni, students, external media, and other contacts to advance the brand as well as the visibility, reputation and goals of the college.

Job Duties (but not limited to)

• Oversee all marketing activity for the college with special attention to admissions, retention, philanthropy and engagement operations through collaboration with colleagues in these areas as well as the entire college.
• Serves as the ambassador, steward and sometimes guardian of the college’s brand identity, in visual identity and official marks throughout the website, social media channels and other virtual representations of the college as well as throughout the physical campus in signage, banners and other physical identity markers.
• Maintains the college’s website as the primary source of information for prospective students, alumni, donors, friends and community members with a commitment to keeping information updated, interesting, well-organized and easy to access.
• Develops, plans, and implements an effective marketing and media relations program advancing the college's core strategic goals and initiatives through positive news, features and editorial coverage.
• Serves as the primary media contact as well as spokesperson for the college or identifies appropriate spokesperson(s).
• Assists in writing, editing and developing a variety of content for external and internal marketing and communications, including social media posts, videos, and print and website content for admissions, fundraising and PR purposes.
• Assists the Assistant Director for Digital Media and Design with the editorial calendar for the college's website and social media strategy, as needed.
• Directs and edits the college’s magazine, weekly newsletter and all general college communications vehicles.
• Cultivates relationships with faculty, staff, and students as a basis for current source sheets on faculty and staff and for content development and feature stories.
• Supervises and directs the Marketing and Communications team toward goal achievement and maximum productivity.
• Assists with the development and dissemination of crisis communication for both internal and external audiences.
• Monitors the news daily for media opportunities; develops story concepts and places them in local, regional and national news media; cultivates and maintains relationships with local and national media; and responds promptly to media requests.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations or a related field with a minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations and/or journalism setting, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Expertise with marketing through websites and social media platforms as well as printed publications.
• Excellent writing, proofreading and editing skills for print and web publications; keen news judgment with a sense of which stories will engage and motivate audiences; and experience with creating and executing a communications strategy.
• Strong media relations experience as a journalist and/or substantial experience working with reporters; social media experience parlaying stories into engaging content for social media channels; and understanding of which social media content works best for audiences and channels.
• Ability to manage, motivate and lead staff 
• Ability to exercise diplomacy, think quickly in response to media questions, act with a cool head and present a calm demeanor, and shift priorities in response to changing circumstances.
• Understanding on how to best utilize e-marketing software tools such as Cascade CMS, MailChimp, Constant Contac, etc.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written and ability to work with a variety of personalities within a diverse population.
• Considerable knowledge of marketing trends, national media, various cultural differences and concerns, and public relations practices in higher education.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, manage a heavy workload with multiple priorities, and to maintain confidentiality.
• Can adapt quickly to changing demands and functions well in a goals-driven, team-oriented environment.
• Experience preparing for and handling a crisis that requires internal and/or external communications.
• Possesses excellent organizational skills.

LaGrange College is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status.