Director of Marketing and Communications/Public Information Officer

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, or related area.
• 3-5 years of experience in public relations, marketing, integrated media, journalism, or a related area.

Preferred Requirements

• Master’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field.

Primary Functions of Position

Under the direction of the Vice President of Administrative Services, the Director of Marketing & Communications / Public Information Officer (PIO) provides strategic leadership and oversight for the College’s marketing, communications, branding, and public information functions. The Director advances the College’s image and messaging, supports enrollment and student success initiatives, and promotes awareness of the College’s contributions to the educational and economic well-being of Columbus County. The position also serves as the College’s official spokesperson and provides oversight of the campus print services operation.

Essential Duties:

• Develop, implement, assess, and continuously improve an integrated marketing, communications, public relations, and community outreach strategy that advances the College’s mission, strategic priorities, enrollment goals, reputation, and relationships with internal and external audiences.
• Provide leadership for college-wide marketing, communications, recruitment, retention, and outreach initiatives, including campaigns connected to institutional, state, and strategic priorities such as NC Reconnect, NextNC, and NC College Connect.
• Partner with Enrollment Management and other College departments to develop and implement marketing and communication strategies that support student recruitment, prospective-student engagement, enrollment conversion, retention, and student success.
• Direct the College’s brand strategy and ensure the consistent use of its visual identity, voice, messaging, and editorial standards across print, digital, social media, advertising, signage, publications, and other communications.
• Lead the planning, creative development, design, editorial review, production, distribution, and approval of college marketing materials, advertising, publications, and other externally facing communications.
• Oversee the College’s digital communications and marketing presence, including the website, social media channels, text messaging, email communications, CRM-based communication workflows, and other emerging platforms.
• Manage automated, targeted communications through the College’s CRM system, including Element451, to strengthen prospective-student engagement and support recruitment and enrollment outcomes.
• Serve as the College’s primary media spokesperson and manage media relations, including the preparation and distribution of news releases, feature stories, public-service announcements, advertising, social media content, and other communications for college events, programs, initiatives, and accomplishments.
• Establish and maintain productive relationships with media representatives, advertising agencies, printers, publishers, vendors, community organizations, and other external partners; exercise sound professional judgment in releasing information to the public and media.
• Coordinate photography, videography, commercial production, and other multimedia content for marketing campaigns, news releases, digital platforms, publications, and College events.
• Collaborate with the SCC Foundation and other College partners to promote fundraising initiatives, special events, programs, and institutional priorities.
• Lead the planning, design, vendor coordination, installation, and maintenance of major visual-communications projects, including campus signage, wayfinding, environmental graphics, special design projects, and campus installations that support the College brand and enhance the student and visitor experience.
• Supervise the operation of the on campus Print Shop, including workflow, scheduling, production timelines, quality standards, internal customer service, and coordination with external printing vendors as needed.
• Assist the President with government relations activities, public communications, and other special initiatives as assigned.

• Provide direct supervision, coaching, performance management, professional development, and annual evaluations for assigned Marketing and Communications staff.
• Plan staff assignments and coordinate employee participation in recruitment activities, fundraising events, college events, and other institutional initiatives, including occasional evening and weekend responsibilities.
• Develop, recommend, administer, and monitor the department’s annual operating budget, special-project budgets, marketing expenditures, vendor contracts, and long-range resource needs.
• Establish departmental goals, work plans, performance measures, production standards, and timelines to ensure timely, high-quality, and cost-effective delivery of marketing and communications services.

• Maintain current knowledge of marketing, public relations, digital communications, higher education communications, and related technologies through college-sponsored and external professional-development opportunities.
• Serve on College committees and participate in institutional planning, assessment, and continuous-improvement activities as assigned.
• Travel and work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends, to support college events, community outreach, recruitment activities, and other job-related responsibilities.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, ability to multitask across numerous projects.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, Adobe Acrobat, and Adobe Photoshop. InDesign and Canva, or other platforms.
• Ability to produce photographs using a digital SLR and DSLR camera.

Application Procedures

A completed Southeastern Community College application (located on the SCC website), a resume, a letter of interest addressing the requirements, and educational transcripts (unofficial copies of transcripts will be sufficient for the screening process, but official copies must be submitted prior to employment) must be submitted to the college Human Resources Office in order for applicants to be considered for this position. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and screened for candidates who meet the qualifications of the position. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Applicants should submit all documents as requested on the SCC website at https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/sccnc. Inquiries should be directed to the Human Resources Office, Southeastern Community College, P.O. Box 151, Whiteville, NC 28472. Telephone (910) 788-6310.

An Equal Employment Opportunity Employer