"Assistant Director, External Relations"

Develops, manages, and implements comprehensive strategic plan for marketing, communication, public relations, alumni relations, and continuing education, for college. Assists with development and implementation of development and fund-raising plans. Ensures the daily function of operations and services related to any assigned program, initiative, or objective. Works under general supervision and may make some work procedural decisions which do not contravene policies; generally, determines work sequences (which task comes first) within any department/divisional guidelines. Exercises professional judgment to prioritize competing demands and allocate resources effectively to meet departmental goals. Serves as a subject matter expert and resource person for the assigned area.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Develops and implements comprehensive communication and marketing strategies to drive student recruitment and increase college visibility. Develops effective marketing materials that highlight the college's programs and achievements. Develops and implements college's social media strategy. Manages the college's communication plan for prospective students, including email campaigns, newsletters, and direct mail. Coordinates with university constituents to maintain and update website content. Creates print and digital publications; and ensures consistency with university and college branding guidelines across all communication and promotional materials. Tracks performance of digital outreach and uses insights to inform future communication strategies. Responsible for managing the revenue and expenses of the WCBA Conference Center and marketing the conference center to external parties. Serves as a point of contact for media inquiries and prepares press releases and announcements to promote college achievements and events; assists with internal and college-wide marketing communications; supports communication planning and execution in collaboration with college leadership; prepares presentations, reports, and other supporting materials for internal and external use by leadership. Plans, promotes, and executes student engagement/networking, alumni, and regional business and education community outreach events; manages college-sponsored events in partnership with outside entities. Provides support to college leadership, faculty, and staff for organizing and promoting special events; manages internal and external reservation requests and coordinates event logistics for WCBA conference center and other college facilities. Monitors technology, furniture, and conference supplies; recommends purchases and upgrades when needed; assists with or oversees event signage and wayfinding. Ensures events comply with college policies and procedures, including those related to facility use, liability, and safety; manages expenses and revenue of conference center, including invoicing and billing for private-use events, ensuring accurate cost tracking and documentation; and coordinates event/facility cleanup, reset, and reports issues as needed. Participates in the development and implementation alumni relations initiatives; supports fundraising activities by collaborating with university partners on donor outreach, prospect research, and the preparation of development-related materials, communications, and events. Promotes and coordinates continuing education programs, seminars, and courses offered by the college. Identifies opportunities and serves as a liaison between faculty experts and the business community to strengthen partnerships and promote the practical application of research and expertise; supports the dissemination of faculty research and applied knowledge to broader professional, industry, and community audiences, including through the development of press releases, promotional content, and media outreach. Acts as a lead worker; provides functional guidance to lower-level workers. Designs and delivers training materials and/or other supporting documentation necessary for the operation of the assigned area. Analyzes complex data sets and prepares comprehensive reports with recommendations for leadership. Researches and recommends process improvements for departmental operations on a routine or regular basis. Evaluates effectiveness and recommends enhancements of services. Participates and/or leads complex projects, including implementation plans, timelines, and resource requirements. Coordinates daily tasks related to one or more assigned components of overall programs and/or services as assigned. Regularly communicates with supervisor and other staff, including student workers, as required or needed in the completion of daily tasks in support of overall goals and objectives. Prepares and maintains accurate records of daily tasks in accordance with applicable policies and procedures and assures timely communication with supervisor, staff, and students where appropriate. Gathers data and prepares reports and other information/documentation for supervisory review related to programs and/or services, or one or more assigned components. Prepares for and attends events. Remains informed of current developments and procedures pertinent to duties; participates in staff development activities; attends meetings, conferences, and other events.

Other Functions and Responsibilities: Trains new hires. Performs other duties as assigned and/or required that are within the level of responsibility for this classification at the discretion of the supervisor.

Equipment Operated: Computer and all other standard office equipment.

Work Schedule: Typically, Monday through Friday with occasional evening or weekend events.

Supervision Exercised: May exercise supervision over student employees.

Reports to: Dean.

Required Certifications, Training, and/or Licensures: None.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of: university policies and procedures; office practices and procedures; department/division goals and objectives; department/division policies and procedures; workplace safety practices and procedures; English grammar and spelling; records management; office management; project management. Skill in: Experience with graphic design software (such as Canva, Adobe Creative Suite), use of office equipment; typing, data entry; computer operation; use of computer software and other programs applicable to the assigned department/division. Ability to: deal with problems involving several variables within familiar context; define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; determine material and equipment needs; calculate fractions, decimals, and percentages; compile and prepare reports; use proper research methods to gather data; understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications; prepare accurate documentation; maintain records according to established procedures; effectively interact with personnel and public to answer routine questions; train or instruct others; move quickly and effectively from one task to another; work independently and in a team environment; develop and maintain effective working relationships. (*) Developed after employment.

Minimum Qualifications: At least a bachelor's degree in business, marketing, communication or related field; and three or more years of experience in marketing, communications, or event planning.

Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree in business, marketing or communications. Four or more years of experience in marketing, communications, or event planning. Experience with social media and digital marketing tools.

About Youngstown State University: An Institution of Opportunity: Youngstown State University inspires individuals, enhances futures, and enriches lives. As a student-centered university, Youngstown State University’s mission is to provide innovative lifelong learning opportunities that will inspire individuals, enhance futures and enrich lives. YSU inspires individuals by cultivating a curiosity for life-long learning; enhances the futures of our students by empowering them to discover, disseminate and apply their knowledge; and enriches the region by fostering collaboration and the advancement of civic, scientific, and technological development. YSU’s culture of enrichment flourishes in our intellectually diverse, accessible, and quality education. Youngstown State University is where students thrive in their educational and career pursuits, where scholarship creates innovative solutions, and where community engagement is a cornerstone of collaboration that collectively contribute to the sustainable prosperity of the region and beyond. We—the faculty, staff, administrators, and students of Youngstown State University—hold the following values essential to achieving the mission and realizing the vision. Centrality of Students – We put students first, fostering their holistic and lifelong success. Excellence and Innovation – We bring academic excellence and innovation to learning and life for all stakeholders. Integrity and Human Dignity – We root all behaviors, decisions and actions in the achievement of integrity, mutual respect, and collegiality. Collaboration and Public Engagement – We embrace collaboration and create innovative partnerships to foster sustainability and enrich our university, our culture, and region. Please use the following link to learn more about YSU: https://ysu.edu/about-ysu