Director of Communications

national origin, religion, race, gender, gender identity, age, status as a veteran or disabled veteran, disability, political status, and sexual orientation. As a Seattle Colleges employee, you will gain access to a great benefits package including:

• Competitive Pay Rates
• Promotional Opportunities
• Great Medical, Dental, and Retirement plans
• Paid Sick and Vacation Leave
• Transportation benefits
• Tuition Waivers
• PEBB Wellness Plan
• Washington State Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)

Seattle Colleges staff and faculty also enjoy professional development opportunities and enrichment experiences in areas of their choice, including committee, workgroup, and affinity group opportunities.

Application Procedures:

• Attached current Resume
• Attached cover letter addressing how your background intersects with the job

Required application materials must be completed and submitted online Notice to Applicants:

Please note that Seattle Colleges has moved to holding interviews virtually using video conference options such as Zoom or Teams. As such, if you are selected for an interview, please be prepared to hold your interview virtually. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a regular basis. The employer will not sponsor applicants for work visas.

What you will be working on:

Leadership and Policy Development

• Serves as communications counsel for the Seattle Promise program at Seattle Colleges.
• Leads the development and execution of strategic communications plans for Seattle Promise key audiences, including students, parents and other external and internal stakeholders. Plans will include goals, measurable objectives, strategies, and tactics that support Seattle Promise.
• Coordinate with other high school programs and initiatives, college programs and initiatives, and partner programs and initiatives in support of the program and students.
• Recommends processes and policy development and is involved in decision-making.
• Consults with the Associate Vice Chancellor, Sr. Executive Director, and relevant stakeholders on communications issues, public information policy, procedures, and implications.
• Represents Seattle Promise and the District Communications and Strategic Initiatives office on related districtwide communication efforts.
• Represents Seattle Colleges/Seattle Promise when coordinating with external program partners including Seattle Public Schools, the City of Seattle, the City of Seattle's Department of Education and Early Learning, university partners, and other partners on mutually beneficial public information projects and activities.
• Leads with an access mindset, focused on closing opportunity and educational gaps in Seattle, crafting communications and publishing materials that are culturally responsive and accessible for all communities served by the college, including, individuals with disabilities, individuals whose primary language is not English, and communities historically underrepresented in higher education.
• Facilitates check-ins with Seattle Promise leadership and other stakeholders as relevant.
• Actively engages in Seattle Promise full-team meetings and retreats, which are typically held on campus.

Executive Communications

• Leads the development of communications products (emails, presentations, speeches, talking points, printed resources) for executive leadership.

Internal Communications

• Directs internal communications planning and implementation that increases faculty and staff knowledge, understanding, and support about program goals, priorities, and updates.
• Connects and collaborates with staff to identify and respond to communication needs.
• Supports program assessment goals in collaboration with the program's Director of Research and Planning.

External Relations and Image/Reputation Management

• Works with district and college communications leadership, Seattle Promise leadership, relevant high school and college programs, and partners to create and implement communication plans focused on improving the program's image and reputation.
• Directs and approves communications products and materials created to enhance the image and reputation of Seattle Promise.
• Leads media relations efforts for the Seattle Promise, including acting as communications contact, preparing program spokespersons with talking points/coaching/FAQs and publicizing/extending coverage obtained in local and national media.
• Collaborates with relevant stakeholders to assist with community engagement and legislative advocacy efforts.

Recruitment and Student Success Communications (Marketing and Advertising)

• Works with communications leadership, Seattle Promise leadership, high school program teams, and college student service departments to create and implement communications plans for student recruitment, enrollment, retention, and completion.
• Leads the development of the recruitment communications funnel including managing digital marketing and advertising, social media and website development, and CRM communications.
• Conducts annual communications audits and develops recommendations for improvement.
• Coordinates efforts with Seattle Promise, Running Start, and other high school programs recruitment and district communications to align strategy, leverage resources, and measure effectiveness.
• Coordinates efforts with Seattle Promise, TRIO, Advising, Student Life, and other Seattle Colleges Student Services department to align strategy, leverage resources, and measure effectiveness.
• Develops and review communications products and materials (ads, brochures, videos, infographics, etc.) to support high school recruitment campaigns.
• Develops and reviews communication products and materials (ads, brochures, videos, infographics, posters, etc.) to support student recruitment, retention, and completion.
• Collaborates with staff and partners to ensure messages, visual identity, and branding are consistent, integrated, and aligned.

Print & Digital Communications

• Manages and maintains the Seattle Promise official website and social media accounts and creates content for high school students.
• Works with communications and program colleagues to develop audience- and program-specific content.
• Collaborates with communications colleagues to establish program policies, standards, and calendar/scheduling.
• Coordinates and executes new development with the communications, recruitment, and web team colleagues to align efforts and ensure a seamless student experience across Seattle Colleges.
• Manages the graphic identity and top-tier communication products (including print collateral, video, etc.) for Seattle Promise key audiences.
• Collaborates with communications colleagues to establish program and districtwide policies and standards.
• Develops and approves top-tier products to ensure visual identity and brand standards before external distribution.
• Maintains Seattle Colleges editorial and brand style guide, including Seattle Promise's guidelines.

Fiscal Management and Training/Supervision

• Plans, tracks, and reports the communications budget for Seattle Promise.
• Trains and prepares Seattle Promise Student Ambassadors for public appearances and opportunities.
• May supervise full-time staff, interns, and/or student ambassadors as program needs demand.

This description is not intended to cover every aspect of this job, we are a team that works together to meet the needs of those we serve, and every member of the team is expected to contribute, even beyond the specific responsibilities listed in this posting.What you bring as a candidate:

• (Any Equivalent Combination of Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education and Experience)Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, public relations or journalism or a related field; and an equivalent combination of 10-plus years of professional experience.
• Demonstrated progressive professional leadership experience in communications and public relations.
• Demonstrated experience in communication planning and execution: creating, implementing, managing, and measuring effective campaigns.
• Demonstrated experience providing communication counsel, presentation, and writing.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully manage multiple projects with competing deadlines.
• Demonstrated successful experience managing budgets.
• Demonstrated professional experience with internal and external communications, media relations, social media management, advertising and marketing, and web development.
• Demonstrated success collaborating and leading teams, including teams comprising of content creators (e.g. writers, artists, graphics designers, etc.).
• Demonstrated successful experience working with multiple stakeholders of diverse communities, cultures, backgrounds, and abilities including employees, community members, students, individuals with disabilities, individuals for whom English is not their first language, etc.
• Demonstrated successful experience creating communications materials that are culturally responsive and accessible to diverse communities.
• Demonstrated professional experience with issues management, communication, and policy development.
• Demonstrated management and supervisory experience.
• Ability to travel between Seattle College campuses and other worksites within Seattle.