Executive Director of Communications and External Relations

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Job Description

The Executive Director of Communications and External Relations at Minnesota State College Southeast serves as the chief public information officer and lead marketing strategist reporting to the Vice President of Strategic Initiatives. This role provides college-wide leadership in strategic communications to enhance the Colleges visibility reputation and alignment with institutional goals. The Director oversees external relationsincluding marketing branding media government and community engagementand ensures consistent communication across digital print and media platforms while safeguarding the Colleges brand voice. Responsibilities include managing storytelling social media website content internal messaging and earned media to promote student staff and community achievements. As the primary crisis communication coordinator the Director advises the President and Cabinet on sensitive issues such as legal matters Title IX protests or emergencies crafting clear timely messages. Acting as a strategic advisor the Director develops key communications in collaboration with campus leadership and manages confidential information often coordinating with stakeholders at various levels.

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES

Provide strategic leadership in Communications Engagement Marketing and External Relations Provide executive leadership and strategic direction for all College communications marketing and external relations to position Minnesota State College Southeast as a regional leader in higher education. Lead the development and execution of integrated institution-wide communication and marketing plans aligned with the Colleges mission strategic plan and enrollment goals. Collaborate with the Vice President of Student Success and the Enrollment Management Team to implement a comprehensive strategic marketing and communications plan to support reaching recruitment enrollment and retention goals of the College. Serve as the Colleges primary spokesperson overseeing all media relations activities including press releases interviews crisis response messaging and public announcements. Collaborate closely with the President and Cabinet to ensure communication strategies effectively support institutional priorities reputation management and outreach initiatives. Guide the creation and delivery of compelling messaging across all internal and external platforms including website content email communications social media print publications monthly earned media and public/media relations. Oversee the Colleges brand identity and storytelling strategies ensuring alignment of tone voice and visual identity across all channels and departments. Evaluate the effectiveness of marketing and communication strategies through key performance indicators audience engagement data and market research; use findings to refine and enhance outreach. Direct the development and enforcement of communication policies brand standards and style guidelines to ensure consistent and professional messaging. Lead and participate in the Colleges strategic planning process ensuring communications and public relations are embedded in institutional goal-setting and implementation efforts. Serve as the primary liaison with Minnesota State system communications staff coordinate response to system initiatives including Outstanding Faculty nominations Economic Impact initiatives State Fair presence and others. Monitor external trends issues and opportunities that could impact the Colleges reputation or operations and advise senior leadership accordingly. Build and sustain strong relationships with media government entities industry and community partners to amplify the Colleges visibility and influence. Direct the planning and execution of high-profile College events including messaging run-of-show scripting photography videography and communications coordination. Lead the Colleges crisis communications efforts providing timely accurate and strategic messaging during incidents that impact safety operations or reputation and ensure effective dissemination of information through appropriate internal and external channels offering guidance and coordination to support institutional response and continuity. This position may be located at either the Winona or Red Wing campus

Provide leadership and direction for developmental operations website strategy and communications infrastructure. Provide strategic direction operational oversight and continuous improvement for the Colleges marketing external relations communications and web presence to ensure a consistent and impactful brand identity. Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic plan for the marketing and communications department including staffing workflows goals and performance metrics aligned with institutional priorities. Manage the planning creation execution and distribution of all internal and external marketing and communications materials ensuring consistency with the Colleges brand standards messaging framework and visual identity. Lead the Colleges website strategy and governance including oversight of daily operations long-term planning and continuous content improvement. Establish and manage web governance processes workflows and approval systems to ensure efficient and compliant decentralized content management. Ensure that web content is accurate accessible (ADA-compliant) and aligned with the Colleges strategic goals and communication priorities. Oversee periodic website redesigns or enhancements based on user needs analytics and emerging technology trends. Oversee College-wide social media strategy creating and scheduling content that reflects institutional goals and engages key audiences across relevant platforms manage engagement reputational risk and ensure responsiveness to inquiries and comments. Collaborate with student success advancement and administrative units to ensure content strategy and communication tools serve multiple audience needs effectively. Manage department operations including budget development and oversight for both personnel and non-personnel expenses. Lead supervise coach and evaluate marketing and communications staff fostering a culture of creativity accountability and continuous learning. Assign and distribute work to marketing and communications team ensuring projects are fully staffed to meat assigned deadlines and stay within budget. Ensure collective bargaining agreements and Minnesota State policies and procedures are implemented and appropriately enforced all applicable laws and regulations are implemented and enforced and all employees and applicants receive equitable treatment Apply sound judgment and discretion when working with confidential or sensitive information especially in matters related to institutional reputation or potential media risk. Serve as a collaborative resource across the College applying interpersonal and leadership skills to navigate priorities and ensure high-quality service to faculty staff students and external stakeholders.

Deliver Strategic Advising Performance Analytics & External Relations Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to the President and key college leadership contributing to the execution of the Colleges mission vision and strategic initiatives as outlined in the master and strategic plans. Provide leadership and expert guidance on marketing communications and external engagement strategies that advance institutional goals and promote a student-centered culture. Oversee the development and continuous improvement of communications performance metrics by establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) for web social media email and print communications. Utilize analytics tools (e.g. Google Analytics CMS data platform insights) to inform strategy and enhance communication effectiveness. Produce regular reports and strategic recommendations for campus leadership tracking engagement identifying trends and aligning communication activities with institutional priorities. Serves as the legislative Liaison with System Office and planning and implementing the colleges legislative relations activities. Directs government relations efforts with local statewide and national elected officials to best promote and further the interests of the College. Develop and deliver clear data-informed talking points briefing materials and strategic messaging to assist the President and senior leaders in advocating for the Colleges goals. Monitor relevant legislative activity system communications and policy developments to ensure leadership is informed and prepared to respond or engage effectively. Coordinate communication flow between the College and external partners ensuring consistency accuracy and alignment with institutional priorities. Represent the College at institutional legislative and community events to promote its leadership in higher education workforce development and regional innovation. Foster a campus-wide culture of responsiveness transparency and excellence in communication and engagement.

Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the smooth functioning of the department and maintain the reputation of the organization as a viable business partner.

Salary Range:$84063-$121522

Minimum Qualifications

• Five years of progressively responsible experience in communications public relations or a related area including supervisory and administrative leadership.
• Extensive knowledge of strategic communications practices including public relations journalism media relations marketing advertising and AP style.
• Strong understanding of branding messaging and audience engagement across multiple platforms including print digital and social media with proficiency in content creation and visual communications including graphic design layout photography and videography.
• Experience with crisis communications and incident response including drafting and disseminating timely public statements.
• Excellent communication interpersonal leadership and collaboration skills with the ability to effectively represent the institution to internal and external audiences and maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of stakeholders fostering a positive team-oriented culture.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex workflows prioritize objectives and maintain high-quality performance in a fast-paced environment.
• Technology-savvy with proven experience in current marketing and communications tools and trends including databases Microsoft Office (or similar) and video conferencing software.

Preferred Qualification

• Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university in communications journalism marketing public relations or a related field.

• Seven or more years of professional experience in a communications public relations or strategic messaging role within higher education or a complex organization.
• Extensive experience in marketing public relations special events graphic design social media management photography videography and printing with demonstrated people skills and expertise in planning writing editing designing production methods media relations management crisis media management and organizational development.
• Experience with consumer marketing strategy strategic advertising and branding.
• Experience performing public information duties across large geographical areas.
• A strategic thinker who excels at coming up with original ideas and can execute with a proven record of success in a highly dynamic work environment.
• Experience ensuring ADA accessibility standards for digital communications and content.
• Working knowledge of SEO principles and experience applying them to written and digital content.
• Familiarity with analytics tools such as Google Analytics social media insights and email campaign performance metrics.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies laws and regulations relevant to institutional communications and public relations.
• Proficient in data collection and analysis with the ability to use metrics to inform decisions and report outcomes.
• Proficiency with visual design tools such as Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign Photoshop) or Canva.
• Experience working within brand identity guidelines and contributing to brand strategy and storytelling.
• Knowledge of or experience within the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system or public higher education.
• Knowledge of event planning and management for promotional and community engagement purposes.

Work Shift

Monday-Friday 7:30am-4:00pm or 8:00am-4:30pm

Telework

Telework available up to one day per week subject to departmental needs and supervisor approval.

About

Minnesota State College Southeast is an open-access public not-for-profit comprehensive technical and community college. Our campuses are located in the historic river towns of Red Wing and Winona set sixty miles apart along the Mississippi. The two campuses have distinctive characteristics but are one college in structure policies procedures and mission. Both campuses offer small class sizes state-of-the-art facilities and an environment that is friendly and supportive.

Benefits Information:

At Minnesota State we have a GREAT BENEFITS PACKAGE! Our generous benefits include 11 paid Holidays Vacation Time Sick Time six weeks of Paid Parental Leave low cost medical and dental insurance with low deductibles ($250 - $1500) a Pension Plan 457(b) and 403(b) retirement plans and other retirement investment options pre-tax medical and dental expense (with roll-over option) and dependent care accounts employer paid life insurance short and long term disability as well as professional development and a tuition waiver program for employees and their dependents etc. We promote the health and well-being of our employees and take work/life balance seriously.

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