Senior Director of Marketing and Communication - Centenary College

The Senior Director of Marketing and Communication is responsible for developing plans, leading teams, and coordinating efforts to increase the College’s image and brand awareness in full support of the College’s mission. As the head of Marketing and Communication, the Senior Director works with the Vice President for Enrollment and Marketing in the strategic development and implementation of competitive marketing plans and strategic internal and external communication and outreach to tell the Centenary story effectively to key target audiences. The Senior Director also oversees the provision of expert, proactive support relative to the promotion of Centenary events and serves as College spokesperson as appropriate.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supervise and support the entire Marketing and Communication Team, guiding the College’s efforts to communicate consistently the distinctive nature and value of the Centenary experience in an intentional and integrated manner.
• Integrate public relations activities into overall marketing campaigns to support College objectives and collaborate with other cross-functional departments.
• Serve as executive editor of Centenary Magazine.
• Develop and direct strategies for campus-wide social media engagement and outreach, electronic media advertising, and periodic electronic invitations and newsletters.
• Develop collaborative relationships and strategic partnerships with staff and faculty members to advance Marketing and Communication efforts and keep key audiences apprised of progress.
• Develop, cultivate, and maintain strong and effective working relationships with reporters and managers representing print and electronic media for local, state, national, and trade outlets. Work to promote clarity of institutional message and accuracy of information.
• Manage Marketing and Communication job request system; determine resources needed to fulfill requests and ensure timely completion of all projects.
• Lead and manage internal communication initiatives as requested by the President.
• Coordinate with Department of Public Safety and the Cabinet to develop, implement, and evaluate the crisis communication plan and lead crisis communication efforts.
• Administer the annual operating budget for Marketing and Communication.
• Ensure that the department follows ethical and accepted communication practices and that College visual identity and marketing standards are met on all projects.
• Oversee and integrate the efforts of the following functions: Digital Media (including visual identity, publications, design, and web) and Creative & Strategic Content (including media and public relations, community outreach, and messaging).
• Oversee the hiring process and manage performance of professional staff members; coordinate professional development opportunities for staff in accordance with the College’s plans and goals.
• Apply best practices to improve processes, procedures, and projections in order to foster an environment of goal-centered performance, data-driven decision- making, and responsive service.
• Accessible and reachable by telephone or text message at times other than College business hours for the purpose of meeting emergency communication needs or engaging with media.
• Other related projects, duties and responsibilities as assigned by supervisor.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
As head of the department, oversees all Marketing and Communication staff; directly supervises Director of Digital Media, Visual Identity and Publications Manager, and Digital Communication Specialist, and consultant/vendor/agency relationships.

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

MINIMUM:

• Bachelor’s degree and 10 years relevant and progressive experience or advanced degree and 7 years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated leadership experience developing and managing multiple large- scale initiatives and projects in a self-directed, results-driven, and entrepreneurial manner.
• Proven record of strategic planning, process management, and meeting organizational goals.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills and demonstrated skill in leading and collaborating with cross-functional, interdepartmental teams.
• Excellent written communication and editing skills and strong verbal communication, public speaking, and presentation skills.
• Superior proficiency with the Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to fulfill job requirements in a high-energy, high-traffic area and meet strict deadlines while demonstrating attention to detail.
• Other related projects, duties and responsibilities may be assigned as deemed necessary.

PREFERRED:

• Advanced degree.
• Demonstrated experience in public relations, marketing, government relations, and/or organizational communication, especially in an education or non-profit setting.
• Experience with a selective, residential, Liberal Arts college.

Please send cover letter and resume to:

Department of Human Resources

Centenary College of Louisiana

2911 Centenary Boulevard

Shreveport, Louisiana 71104

Email: hr@centenary.edu 

Fax: 318.869.5281

Candidates are invited to visit the College's website at www.centenary.edu/jobs.

Centenary recognizes that diversity is essential to its goal of providing an educational environment where students explore the unfamiliar, invent new approaches to understanding, and connect their work and lives to the world at large. We thus welcome applicants who would add to the College's diversity of ideas, beliefs, experiences, and cultural backgrounds. EOE