The Director of Marketing and Communications is responsible for developing and implementing a comprehensive and collaborative communications, marketing, and public relations program. This includes the coordination of internal and external communications, media relations, advertising, print, website design, social media, and the production of marketing materials for effective student recruitment, alumni and donor relations, and academic stakeholders. Serving as the point of contact to the public and the media, this position coordinates and strengthens external relations with the University’s various constituencies, including current and prospective students, corporate and community leaders, legislators, government officials, alumni, parents, and the media. The Director provides leadership in planning, developing, and implementing new and innovative marketing and promotion strategies, advertising, and outreach campaigns, as well as establishing guidelines and standards for using the University’s images, logos, and other mediums.

• Oversee the University’s marketing, public relations, and advertising to support achievement of enrollment and advancement goals and enhance the institution’s visibility, reputation, and engagement with alumni and the community.
• Hires, trains, supervises, motivates, and supports the Marketing & Communications staff.
• Manage relationships with all marketing and communication-related agencies, such as website hosting, public relations firm, and advertising agency.
• Serve as the editor-in-chief of USJ’s bi-annual alumni magazine OUTLOOK.
• Meet and consult with University department leaders to provide creative direction and determine effective medium(s) on various digital communications and marketing projects, including moderately complex assignments, and develop, present, and recommend web content, digital assets, and visual material.
• Manage and execute web, SEO/SEM, email, social media, and other digital marketing campaigns.
• Use metrics and analytics to determine the efficacy of web content and marketing campaigns and provides suggestions for continual quality improvement to meet goals.
• Provide website assessment and best practices to various clients within the University.
• Work with department heads and deans to ensure the technical accuracy of website content.
• Maintain currency with emerging and state-of-the-art technical and other web-related equipment, requirements, and developments (for example, accessibility issues) and recommend and, as directed, take action to ensure compliance.
• Work with IT and MyUSJ editors managing content strategy on MyUSJ.
• Lead and produce university-wide communications including, but not limited to, 5:30 a.m. EST weather communications in collaboration with the Provost and other USJ leaders.
• Manage Crisis Communications for the University.
• Work in person, on campus, and be available to work evenings, weekends. Some travel may be required.
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned. 

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, business, marketing or related field required.
• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in developing marketing, advertising, communications, social media and promotional materials required.
• Experience creating and leading teams to execute traditional and online marketing campaigns through various channels, including digital, social media, marketing automation, direct mail, and event management.
• Experience working with local, regional, and national media outlets.
• Higher Education experience preferred, but not required.
• Supervisory experience strongly preferred.

Other Qualifications

• Possess significant knowledge, skills, and abilities in communications, marketing, and public relations, including media in all forms, present and emerging, data analysis, and budget management.
• Knowledge of social media strategy and platforms such as native social analytic platforms.

• Ability to foster change management and conceptualize, implement, and maintain continuous process improvements that maximize effective and efficient processes.

• Ability to perform audits of existing accounts and identify areas of improvement.
• Familiarity with Adobe InDesign & Photoshop expected.
• Experience working with content management systems and tools.
• Excellent writing and communications skills and an ability to work collaboratively while supporting multiple projects and campaigns.
• Ability to report, interpret, and analyze data to support the assessment of marketing campaigns.
• Must be a self-starter with demonstrated ability to handle projects from start to finish and strong leadership skills to support the unit’s interests and goals as assigned.
• Possess solid general computer skills, including the ability to work in a Windows and Mac environment. Proficiency with MS Office Suite, Internet, and other programs as needed (e.g., mail merge, database management). Familiarity with specific applications used by the University/Department is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to communicate comfortably with students, colleagues, board members, and external
• Exhibit a high level of professionalism, leadership, creative problem-solving, diplomacy, negotiation, and sales skills, and the ability to manage complex projects with minimal supervision.
• Professional, courteous demeanor and appearance; ability to engage positively and work professionally with students, faculty, staff, and administration and represent the University professionally to the public
• Commitment to the mission of the University of Saint Joseph
• Physical ability to perform essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation.

About University of Saint Joseph

The University of Saint Joseph, founded by the Sisters of Mercy in the Catholic tradition, provides a rigorous liberal arts and professional education for a diverse student population in an inclusive environment that encourages strong ethical values, personal integrity, and a sense of responsibility to the needs of society.At University of Saint Joseph, our mission statement profoundly resonates with our faculty and staff and serves as the foundation upon which our employment policy is built.We seek to attract, develop and retain individuals who are committed to our mission. We are committed to providing an environment where diverse talents, perspectives, experiences and contributions are recognized, and one that promotes the "growth of the whole person" with resources that enable employees to meet professional and personal life needs.

Connections working at University of Saint Joseph