Position Summary

William James College is seeking an experienced, creative, data-driven communications professional with superior oral and written communication skills to manage internal and external communications at a fast-paced, mission-driven college. The Director of Communications is responsible for the execution of communication strategies that increase public awareness, influence enrollment and giving, elevate the institutional brand, and advance the College’s mission and strategic initiatives.

This position reports to the Associate Vice President of Enrollment Management.

Essential Duties

• Responsible for the development and execution of an integrated communications strategy to include media and external relations, news content development and distribution, and related activities designed to increase brand awareness and thought leadership and convey priority messages to key audiences through multi-channel storytelling. Audiences include, but are not limited to, prospective students, applicants, alumni, donors, board members, partners, faculty, students, staff, and the media.
• Collaborates with senior director of marketing, senior leadership, faculty, department chairs, program leaders, and external partners to build awareness of key priorities and strategic initiatives through news and media activities.
• Oversees media relations efforts, both proactive and reactive, to support institutional priorities, manage reputation, and build brand awareness. Develops and executes annual media and outreach plan.
• Serves as primary liaison with external PR partner.
• Responsible for managing the digital news presence of the College, including planning and managing the College’s news and editorial calendar, writing and/or supervising the creation of news stories, and posting stories to the web.
• Collaborates with Marketing Department to design and implement social media campaigns and outreach strategies to support institutional events.
• Manages the production of other assets including graphics, videos, podcasts, and written content to support strategic priorities.
• Oversees production, from concept to print, of Rapport, the College’s annual print magazine. Responsibilities include selecting stories and images, interviewing sources (internal and external), and writing and editing content; working with in-house and freelance writers, designers, photographers, and others on content development; and working with Marketing and Advancement teams to coordinate mailing lists, mailing, and distribution.
• Serves as an editor/proofreader for the Marketing Department, Advancement Office, senior leaders, and Office of the President.
• Manages and executes special projects as needed, including but not limited to supporting special events, partnership opportunities, and outreach activities to support the launch of new programs, niche marketing efforts, and other new business initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Supervision

• Supervises the Communications and Public Relations Associate

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree and 10-12 years of experience in marketing, communications, higher education, or fundraising
• Supervisory or team leadership experience
• Attention to detail, excellent proofreading skills, grasp of grammar and punctuation, and ability to write in established institutional voice.
• Comfortable with design software for the creation of flyers, videos, podcasts, web content, and other marketing materials
• Ability to be flexible, proactive, and work collaboratively with colleagues in a team environment
• Advanced oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills
• Strong commitment to customer service
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Attendance at evening and weekend events on occasion

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required.

Benefits

Our benefits package includes generous health, vision and dental insurance, eligibility for both College funded 401(a) retirement plan and Employer sponsored 403(b) plan, company paid life and long term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, generous PTO, and professional development opportunities.

William James College is not-for-profit organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Employment at William James College may qualify for The Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service#qualifying-employer

Application Instructions 

 Interested candidates should submit:

1. A Cover Letter responding to the stated qualifications.
2. A Résumé/Curriculum Vitae.
3. A list of three professional references with complete contact information. (References will not be contacted without the candidate’s prior permission.)

Materials should be submitted electronically via the WJC Career Center: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=40dab9cd-14a1-4d29-b356-da8c9cb6fb6f&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_US

Review of applications will begin upon receipt.

William James College is an institution and a community committed to the principles of excellence, fairness and respect for all people. Our Inclusive Excellence model infuses diversity, equity and inclusion efforts into the core of institutional functioning to realize the educational benefits of diversity both locally and globally. We are committed to strengthening communities, including our workplace, by fostering the development of the intercultural competencies necessary for change agents in an increasingly complex, pluralistic society

About William James College

From our new campus in Greater Boston, William James College educates students for careers that meet the growing demand for access to quality, culturally competent psychological services for individuals, families, communities & organizations both locally & around the globe. We offer graduate programs attentive to the needs of vulnerable populations including children of adversity and the needs of specific populations such as Latinos and veterans, as well as organizations and leaders on the forefront of creating social change. William James College is committed to building a diverse faculty and staff dedicated to teaching, working and bringing psychological knowledge to the multi-cultural world community. We strongly encourage applications from persons with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

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