What are the responsibilities and job description for the Communications Manager position at Syracuse University?
Job Description
We’re looking for someone who loves the whole game.
You’ll shape the College of Professional Studies’ voice across every channel social, web, email, and beyond and see your work translate directly into growth across its various departments. Reporting to the Executive Director of Administration & Strategy, you’ll lead a talented team of three and bring your own creative firepower to the table. Strategy, copy, design, web you’ve got range, and you actually enjoy using it.
This role is for the person who gets restless handing things off and would rather just make it great themselves. You’ll collaborate with your team on the big picture and jump in on the craft when inspiration strikes or when the deadline calls. Either way, you’ll see your fingerprints on everything.
You’ll bring a track record of doing this stuff well ideally in higher ed, but we care more about results than résumés. Grown an audience? Moved the needle on enrollment? Turned a quiet brand into something people actually pay attention to? Let’s talk.
Education and Experience
Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About The Syracuse Area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community
Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.
We’re looking for someone who loves the whole game.
You’ll shape the College of Professional Studies’ voice across every channel social, web, email, and beyond and see your work translate directly into growth across its various departments. Reporting to the Executive Director of Administration & Strategy, you’ll lead a talented team of three and bring your own creative firepower to the table. Strategy, copy, design, web you’ve got range, and you actually enjoy using it.
This role is for the person who gets restless handing things off and would rather just make it great themselves. You’ll collaborate with your team on the big picture and jump in on the craft when inspiration strikes or when the deadline calls. Either way, you’ll see your fingerprints on everything.
You’ll bring a track record of doing this stuff well ideally in higher ed, but we care more about results than résumés. Grown an audience? Moved the needle on enrollment? Turned a quiet brand into something people actually pay attention to? Let’s talk.
Education and Experience
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in marketing, communications, or a closely related field, with demonstrated success managing multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment with quick turnarounds.
- Must be a skilled multitasker capable of prioritizing competing deadlines while maintaining quality and accuracy.
- Experience directly managing a team of marketing and communications professionals required; a proven track record of mentoring, delegating, and developing communicators is essential.
- Proficiency in WordPress, Adobe Creative Suite, social media management tools, Power BI, and Google Analytics required.
- Design print, digital, and web products with a focus on accessibility and adherence to brand guidelines.
- Oversee the college’s social media strategy and leverage it to grow awareness and enrollments across all departments
- Create digital and print assets for marketing collateral, email newsletters, blog posts, social media posts, event display, and other College needs.
- Lead creative development of projects, present creative concepts to internal and external stakeholders, and manage projects from conception through production while adhering to established brand standards.
- Assist with everyday projects, print collateral, landing page designs, site graphics, social media graphics, brand assets, and digital marketing collateral.
- Follow established university brand standards, governance, and approaches.
- Review and approve ads and other marketing assets submitted by vendors and partners to ensure brand alignment prior to publication or distribution.
- Maintain a campus presence to attend and support college events, capture photography and video Craft platform-specific content for distribution to online channels and social media platforms to increase web traffic, SEO/GEO and leads.
- Execute on article and email content, digital ads, SEO/SEM work, and other content delivery systems.
- Monitor content outcomes using Google Analytics and email analytics.
- Draft and manage communications supporting workforce development and partnership programs, Write and distribute press releases announcing new and expanded partnerships, program launches, and workforce development initiatives.
- Develop proposals, program briefs, one-pagers, and fact sheets for use in partner outreach and cultivation.
- Create event communications including invitations, programs, signage, and post-event recaps for partner-facing events and convenings.
- Produce partner newsletters and stakeholder updates highlighting program outcomes, enrollment milestones, and college impact.
- Support executive talking points, presentation content, and program summaries related to workforce and partnership programming.
- Develop and maintain the institution’s website and management of the site’s content.
- Design and develop website pages, landing pages, email templates.
- Ensure the site functionality combined with look and feel consistent with style guide as well as WCAG 2.0 AAA compliant.
- Collaborate with Syracuse University Central Marketing and Central Communications:
- Follow established university brand standards, governance, and approach – Work with the university editorial calendar.
- Coordinate content consistent with established content strategy and develop content consistent with university brand approach.
- Support the Division’s media relations team’s earned media strategy.
- Work with the media relations team to identify newsworthy pitch angles and liaise to schedule interviews and bring opportunities to completion.
- Create and share stories about the College of Professional Studies and the accomplishments of faculty, staff, students and alumni worldwide in coordination with the Division’s content and communications teams.
Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About The Syracuse Area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community
Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.