"Associate Vice President of Communications and Community Relations"

Associate Vice President of Communications and Community Relations

Company: Laurel Ridge Community College

Job Location:

Category: Administrative Vice Presidents

Type: Full-Time

Role Code: 01126-SW

FLSA: Exempt

Pay Band: 00

Position Number: 298FA084

Agency: Laurel Ridge Community College

Agency/Division: Laurel Ridge Community College (Div)

Work Location: Frederick - 069

Hiring Range: The hiring range for this position is $110,895.00 - $162,531.00 per year, however, actual starting salary will commensurate with education and/or experience

Emergency/Essential Personnel: No

EEO Category: A-Official or Administrator

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Work Schedule: Typical schedule is Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm. However, the position is on call as needed to include occasional evenings and weekends. Please note: while this position is seated at the Middletown campus, the selected candidate will be expected to work at all college locations.

Sensitive Position: Yes

Job Description

Laurel Ridge Community College seeks an experienced and dynamic leader to serve as Associate Vice President (AVP) of Communications and Community Relations. The AVP of Communications and Community Relations provides strategic leadership for the college's integrated marketing and communications efforts and serves as the senior communications strategist. The AVP for Communications and Community Relations develops and implements comprehensive strategies to enhance the college's brand and visibility while supporting enrollment, philanthropy, recruitment, outreach, and institutional priorities. The position serves as the Public Information Officer for the college including during crisis management situations.

Reporting directly to the President, the AVP will build and maintain positive relationships with local, regional, state, and federal elected officials as well as community leaders. The AVP will be embedded in the community and will develop strategies that advance the College's mission and goals. The position will work directly with the President and senior leadership team to develop communication and advocacy strategies for the college's legislative agenda and funding priorities.

Department's Areas of Responsibility

Public Relations and Communications

• Office serves as the primary media contact for the college and liaisons with news media, radio, and television
• Oversee content and development of college publications
• Ensure the regular development of news stories, articles, and social media posts
• Handle urgent communications needs
• Lead crisis communications planning and response in collaboration with college leadership
• Collaborate with college leadership to devise swift responses to unexpected events and issues
• Serve on the college's Emergency Management Team
• Responsible for coordinating and developing campus and community messaging that effectively communicates the college's value proposition and successes
• Oversee communication strategy with internal audiences via the college Intranet and other tools
• Integrates the value and impact of philanthropy into institutional messaging across all platforms, including the website, social media, newsletters, and press releases

Marketing and Brand Management

• Ensure consistency of college's brand identity across all platforms and materials
• Responsible for enforcing college policies regarding brand and style guidelines
• Provide strategic direction for innovative marketing campaigns that supports the strategic enrollment management plan and college enrollment goals
• Responsible for the college's photography, video, social/digital media, website design and content
• Ensure the development of an annual marketing plan that aligns with strategic enrollment and college strategic plan goals

College Outreach and Events

• Oversee the college outreach plan to support the strategic enrollment management plan and marketing plan goals
• Collaborate with academic and workforce units at the college to develop and plan outreach strategies and events
• Oversee college-wide events

Community and Government Relations

• Develop legislative and local government strategies to advance college's funding priorities
• Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, local government leaders, and community leaders
• Oversee creation of communication and advocacy pieces as needed

College Leadership

• Provide public relations counsel and recommendations to senior leadership team
• Collaborate with and serve as a resource for senior leaders on communications-related strategies and initiatives, marketing, branding or related matters
• Foster positive collaborative relationships with campus and community constituents, and represent the college at various community events as needed
• Manage a team of high functioning marketing and communications professionals
• Responsible for budget oversight of unit

Work Schedule and Location: Typical schedule is Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm. However, the position is on call as needed to include occasional evenings and weekends. Please note: while this position is seated at the Middletown campus, the selected candidate will be expected to work at all college locations.

KSA's/Required Qualifications

• Master's degree or equivalent education and experience
• Significant, progressive experience in marketing and/or communications or related field
• Progressive leadership role with direct supervision of a department or unit
• Demonstrated understanding of the higher education landscape
• Media relations, including building press relationships, serving as college spokesperson
• Digital communications, with strong understanding of social media strategy, SEO, and digital engagement
• Content strategy, including oversight of storytelling, videos, photography and web content to further institutional priorities
• Data and analytics, using data and metrics to inform and strengthen communication strategies

Additional Considerations

• Experience working in higher education marketing or communications
• Experience providing leadership to support both college enrollment goals and philanthropic initiatives
• Demonstrated experience with community or government relations