Associate Director, External and Executive Communications

General Description : This position is responsible for supporting NOVA’s strategic plan by developing and executing the college’s strategic external communications plan to ensure consistent brand messaging and using data to leverage additional opportunities to raise the college’s profile.

This position will also support the strategic plan by developing and executing NOVA’s proactive strategic executive communications plan to elevate college leadership’s visibility.

Duties and Tasks : External Communications Create and execute innovative strategies to increase NOVA’s visibility. Build and promote positive relationships among NOVA and its various stakeholders.

Manage emergency communications in partnership with the communications and enrollment marketing director. Coordinate and collaborate with the associate directors of internal communications, student communications, web services and graphics and branding.

Coordinate, provide annual media training for college leadership, faculty and staff. Serve as a NOVA spokesperson. Executive Communications Develop and execute NOVA’s strategic executive communications plan.

Support NOVA’s president with writing and editing materials. Develop a thought leadership program for NOVA’s president. Provide strategic communications counsel to NOVA’s president.

Use AI to increase efficiency in executive communications. May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

KSAs : Proven ability to write and edit copy to conform to Associated Press and NOVA style and ensure copy is free of grammatical and / or factual errors Ability to write quick, clean, accurate content on tight deadlines Ability to mimic and enhance the writing voice and style of NOVA’s president High degree of professionalism and experience in supporting and advising senior leaders Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook), social media tools (LinkedIn, X / Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, other emerging platforms) and other communications tools (Constant Contact, Cision, etc.

Proficient in conventional and digital photography and videography Ability to learn new technologies and platforms such as Smart Brevity / Axios HQ, Adobe Creative Suite, etc.

Knowledge of Northern Virginia, including familiarity with media, elected officials, other higher education institutions, local K-12 school systems and businesses

Required Qualifications : Experience developing and executing strategic media and / or communications plans Experience in writing in a variety of styles appropriate for different audiences, editing, proofreading Media relations experience, including pitching and timely responding to media Experience supporting top organization leaders with writing and editing services and providing messaging and delivery counsel

Additional Considerations : Experience in higher education communications, especially community colleges Experience working in a multi-site organization Experience working in a matrixed organization Experience managing others

Apply online at the Virginia Community College System website : .