Director of Strategic Communications

About the role

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. Learn more about American University

• Department: Kogod School of Business
• Time Type: Full time
• Job Type: Regular
• FLSA Status: Exempt
• Work Modality: Hybrid 01 (On Campus 3-4 Days/Week)
• Union: Excluded

Summary

Leads the School's communications efforts, which include developing communication plans; design and production of integrated communication campaigns; administration of communication budgets; management of external vendor relationships; and collaboration with university offices including University Communications and Marketing.

The position guides the brand and reputation of the school with an eye on positioning, message impact, alignment with other university communications, and adherence to brand standards. The position works collaboratively with internal and external partners, vendors and agencies and directs the communications of KSB including presentations and reports on behalf of the Dean.

The position will hold primary responsibility for Kogod website content. This position is responsible for managing direct reports as well as student workers.

Essential Functions

1.) Communication

• Branding: Establish, advance, and execute messaging and identity for the Kogod School of Business, in coordination with university identity standards. Develops the School's visual identity and designs and produces integrated marketing collateral materials that promote academic programs, services, and faculty.
• Content: Direct a refined content strategy for business school. Ensure competitive positioning, search optimization, efficient use of resources, and communication workflow among program offices, faculty departments, and other key stakeholders. Works closely with the assistant dean and senior staff to identify communication priorities. Collaborates in the production of all publications; including video, print publications (collateral materials), email newsletters, and others.
• Web: Includes oversight for kogod.american.edu, social media channels, email campaigns/communications, multimedia, externally hosted websites, and apps. Monitoring of Kogod's reputation online, including inclusion or exclusion from other digital portals and forums.
• Communication: Manage KSB communications to internal and external constituencies including reports, presentations and messages by the Dean. Review and vet KSB messaging for signature/special events (Orientation, Commencement, Lecture Series) in conjunction with KSB Senior Leadership and Events team.

2.) Media Relations

• Work with AU Communications, PR partner, and media outlets to coordinate opportunities for KSB faculty and staff in the media and in any public space.
• Develop media relations strategy for KSB faculty and staff. Provide media training in conjunction with the University Communications.
• Assist Kogod faculty in creating a strategy to communicate the public impact of their scholarship.

3.) Administration/Management

• Direct workflow of communications staff.
• Manage contracts, including bidding, negotiating, invoicing, and vendor evaluation. Issue Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and evaluate responses.
• Liaison across campus and within School, working with University's marketing, media relations, publications and information technology offices to coordinate resources and ensure compliance with campus wide efforts. Involved and counsel on school activities related to image, visuals, and rankings.

4.) Other Duties as Assigned

Supervisory Responsibility

• Supervises the following position(s): Senior Designer, Communications Manager, Social Media Coordinator, Senior Digital Designer, and Senior Videographer.

Competencies

• Acting Strategically.
• Evaluating and Implementing Ideas.
• Displaying Creativity.
• Developing Plans.
• Leading and Inspiring People.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work

• Full-time.
• 35 hours per week.

Salary Range

• $103,000.00 - $115,000.00 annually.

Required Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree.
• 8 - 10 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Education and Experience

• Master's degree.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications

• Deep understanding of online marketing and communications, specifically writing for the web, social media and project management experience.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills. Ability to communicate and build long term relationships with on campus and off campus partners, vendors and agencies and coordinate with on campus resources.
• Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines while paying close attention to detail.
• Proficient computer skills including the Microsoft office suite, Adobe Suite, web graphics, video editing, database development, and the tools required to fulfill the position's responsibilities as technology evolves.
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks with particular attention to detail.
• Knowledge of guerrilla marketing tactics and social media strategies.
• Experience managing direct reports.
• Expertise in strategic planning, professional marketing and brand leadership, and audience insight.
• A strategic thinker with a natural curiosity to continually improve results and experiment with new methods and ideas.
• Demonstrated ability to use and interpret data to inform marketing decisions.
• Familiarity with marketing tools, such as HubSpot or Salesforce.

Other Duties

• Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

• Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check.
• Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university.
• Please note this job announcement is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
• American University is an E-Verify employer.

Current American University Employees

American University current employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.