Senior Director, Strategic Communications

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS :

The information below covers the role requirements, expected candidate experience, and accompanying qualifications.

Penn State's Office of Strategic Communications, the University's central public relations and marketing division, is seeking a dynamic Senior Director to focus on Commonwealth Campus (CWC) communications.

This pivotal role will report to a senior leader in the Office of Strategic Communications and have a dotted-line report to the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses.

This is a hybrid position and will require occasional evening and weekend hours as well as travel to campuses across Pennsylvania for on-site meetings and discussions.

This role offers an opportunity to impact the University in a meaningful way by providing critical support to the Commonwealth Campuses at a time of change and opportunity for future structuring.

In addition to supporting the diverse communication needs of Penn State's 20 Commonwealth campuses, the person in this role will help align messaging with institutional priorities and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels to enhance organizational connectivity and achieve strategic communication goals.

The Senior Director will play an instrumental part in Penn State's ongoing commitment to its campuses throughout Pennsylvania.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute comprehensive communication strategies for the campuses that align with the President's vision and institutional priorities.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the Office of Strategic Communications and the Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses (OVPCC).
• Actively engage with regional University College lead communicators in the development and execution of strategic communication plans that support the unique needs and challenges of campuses across the state while maintaining cohesive brand identity and institutional objectives.
• Support the development of critical materials for OVPCC, including working directly with the OVPCC leadership to develop strategic communications plans and guidance.
• Support efforts as a thought partner to a variety of stakeholders to create dynamic content for Commonwealth Campuses and Institute-wide audiences.
• Provide high level support around a content maintenance plan to ensure timely updates of news, events, and general content on digital and other communications channels.
• Serve as a resource and work closely with all Commonwealth campus communicators.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including chancellors and lead communicators throughout the University, to align strategies and ensure communication effectiveness.
• Work closely with staff and leadership in the Office of Strategic Communications to foster a collaborative and high-performance work environment, support OVPCC, engage with the Lead Communicator Counsel, and elevate key priorities and successes.
• Evaluate the success of broader OVPCC communication initiatives through metrics and analytics, adjusting strategies as necessary to optimize outcomes.
• Serve as a liaison with leaders and staff from the Office of Strategic Communications in the implementation of campus and regional program marketing strategies.
• Ensure successful outcomes by adopting best-practice project management methodologies, metrics, and strategic planning.
• Monitor effective benchmarks for measuring the growth of the community and analyze, review and report on effectiveness of new initiatives.

Qualifications

• Have proven experience in a senior communication role, preferably within a complex organization.
• Possess strong leadership skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams.
• Have exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with a keen eye for detail and accuracy.
• Approach new situations with innovative thinking and the ability to solve problems, with an eye towards forward-thinking ideas.
• Be a strategic thinker with a track record of developing and implementing successful communication strategies.
• Have the ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Be committed to Penn State's land-grant mission and sensitive to regional differences.

Education and experience

Minimally requires a bachelor's degree or higher plus eight or more years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

A degree in communications, English, journalism, public relations, or a similar discipline is preferred.

More about Penn State's Office of Strategic Communications

As Penn State's central public relations and marketing division, Strategic Communications is a fully integrated, award-winning, best-in-class marketing and public relations team defined by innovative strategy and breakthrough creative driven by measurable goals.

We advance the University by strengthening and protecting the institution's reputation in regional, national and international spheres of influence in ways that serve recruitment, resource and leadership goals.

Spanning Penn State's large-scale enterprise-including 20 campus locations across Pennsylvania, nearly 90,000 students, and an alumni base exceeding 700,000-Strategic Communications' work encompasses all forms of communications and engagement, ranging from branding, marketing, and trademark and event management to internal communications, proactive and social media, research communications, and crisis and issues management.

We've attracted talented and diverse team members from private and public sectors at all levels of our division, giving us the ability to build a strategic program of excellence recognized throughout the University.

Strategic Communications values and reflects Penn State's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), and our DEIB committee is actively involved in providing staff programming that helps incorporate DEIB principles into the fabric of our communications.

Salary Range : $109,300.00 - $164,000.00

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS :

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR).

The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters.

The ASR is available for review here.

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

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