Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing - Potomac State College (Keyser)

WVU Potomac State College (Keyser) is currently accepting applications for a Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing.

About the Opportunity:

The overarching goal for the Strategic Marketing and Communications PSC Campus Director is to create interactive relationships and partnerships with the many diverse constituencies (internal and external) that will ultimately enhance the standing and goodwill of the university. To this end, the Director is expected to assure that (1) All efforts toward university relationships produce positive, productive, and mutually beneficial outcomes; and (2) All University communications are accurate, timely, consistent, appropriate, and creative. Functions by which the communications responsibility is carried out at WVU Potomac State College, in Keyser WV to include integrated marketing communications, University event strategy and alumni programming, services and events.

The Director should be self-directed, capable of pursuing goals and tasks independently, and competent in identifying, handling, and properly resolving questions and issues. At the same time, however, the Director must be an effective member of WVU PSC and able to interact well with people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

Reporting to the Campus President, the Director will actively serve on the Executive Cabinet and the Leadership team.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What you'll do:

• Identify gaps and areas of improvement related to campus communications, event strategy and community relations.
• Develop and execute goals, objectives, strategies, plans, policies, and operating procedures for the WVU PSC campus related to integrated marketing communications, community relations and event/customer experience.
• Develop and accountably manage the budgets for alumni and marketing communications units.
• Identifying best practices and implementing change management strategies related to communications and customer experience for the WVU PSC campus.
• Oversee campus event strategies with an eye to budgetary and time constraints.
• Provide strategic insight and support for the enrollment management team related to event strategy, customer experience, industry or geographic trends and other best practices.
• Oversee integrated marketing and communication initiatives to effectively recruit prospective and retain current students.
• Provide oversight and guidance related to communications strategies for alumni and donor relations in collaboration with the WVU Foundation and the PSC Catamount Alumni Association.
• Supervise the Marketing and Communications Assistant Directors and provide support and leadership for and expertise to the University Relations Department.
• Serve as the on-campus brand leader, ensuring compliance with WVU branding standards and licensing procedures.
• Provide leadership that will help accurately and consistently present the strengths of WVU PSC.
• Supervise, support and guide team members as they set goals and standards for their work. Perform performance reviews for direct reports.
• Provide expertise related to external and internal communication strategies.
• Stay abreast of issues and current events (local, statewide, national, and global) that may come to bear on PSC Campus and provide information and/or advice as needed when matters are of potential external or internal impact.
• Lead and provide advice/guidance around rapid response and crisis management for the Campus President, the Executive Cabinets and any other area on campus.
• Serve as the University's spokesperson, public information officer, and Freedom of Information Act officer/coordinator.
• Serve as lead communicator and lead integrated marketing communications contact for WVU PSC campus communities
• Provides expertise and support for developing consistent, clear communication strategies and messages.
• Plan, develop, and guide and monitor the internal and external public relations operations for the WVU PSC campus.
• Manage relations with local, state, and regional news organizations on a variety of issues, from institutional crises and major appointments to research and academic developments and special events. This includes proactively managing relationships with print, radio, television, web and social media outlets to optimize campus coverage.
• Exercise expert judgment in triaging incoming media requests to determine priorities.
• Proactively assess day-to-day media environment and seize opportunities that are available for increased exposure, including overseeing creation and maintenance of an experts database for ease of media use as well as promoting day-to-day expert "pitches" as appropriate.

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communication studies, design, marketing, education, or a related field; master's preferred
• A minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in multi-platform communications, marketing, and/or design
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in a leadership role
• Required objective demonstration that candidate's work has improved the visibility, prestige, or reputation of the organization
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Building Relationships:

• Speaking effectively to small and large groups\
• Interacting effectively with persons diverse in education and experience
• Interpersonal and community relations skills
• Establishing positive internal and external working relationships

Managing Organizations:

• Employee development and performance management
• Organizational planning, structuring, and staffing
• Examining and re-engineering operations and procedures
• Formulating policy
• Developing and implementing new strategies and procedures
• Analyzing complex problems, interpreting operational needs, and developing integrated, creating solutions.
• Group problem solving and decision making
• Time management
• Working on and managing multiple tasks

Event Strategy and Execution:

• Utilizing event management and collaboration skills to ensure that guests and constituents have positive and memorable experiences at on-campus events.
• Supporting admissions and other areas and to expand and improve our event experiences on campus
• Providing trainings and tool kits to share best practices for in-person and virtual events so that we're teaching other areas to "fish." (The intent isn't for UR to run every event. It's to provide all areas on campus the tools to create excellent experiences for their respective audiences.)

Mass Communications:

• New and social media vehicles, strategies, and audiences
• Visual, written, and verbal communication principles
• Coordination of crisis communications support when situations arise
• Mass media theory and practice
• Visual communication strategies and techniques
• Storytelling, writing, editing, and proofreading
• Integration of diverse media into effective messages and campaigns
• Establishing and implementing cohesive communication and marketing plans
• Create multi-platform marketing and communication initiatives
• Understanding of media/editorial procedures, advertising practices and marketing principles.

• Valid driver's license

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.