Director of Communications

Christian Brothers University - Memphis, TN

Full-time - Director

Memphis, TN

Educational Services

About the position

The Director of Communications at Christian Brothers University (CBU) plays a pivotal role in shaping the institution's communication strategies and marketing efforts. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Advancement, this position is responsible for providing strategic leadership to the Communications and Marketing team, as well as collaborating with external communication agencies. The Director will ensure that CBU's unique culture and values are effectively communicated in a manner that is relevant, accurate, and engaging. This role is essential in executing outcomes-based marketing and communications strategies that align with the university's goals, including enhancing brand visibility and reputation, supporting student recruitment, and engaging with alumni and community partners. In this capacity, the Director of Communications will act as a liaison between various internal and external stakeholders, ensuring that all communication initiatives are strategically aligned with CBU's objectives. This includes overseeing marketing efforts that contribute to branding, enrollment, and fundraising goals. The Director will also be responsible for advising on strategic planning and tactical approaches, maintaining project calendars, and monitoring workloads to ensure timely and effective communication and marketing initiatives. The role requires excellent communication, project management, and organizational skills, as well as a collaborative attitude to foster engagement with the campus community and beyond. The Director will also evaluate marketing metrics to assess the effectiveness of initiatives and make necessary adjustments to improve outcomes. Additionally, the position involves managing large print projects, collaborating with freelancers and contractors, and representing the university in media relations, particularly during crisis communications or significant events.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and direction to the Communications and Marketing team.
• Oversee strategic marketing efforts to meet branding, enrollment, and fundraising goals.
• Serve as an account manager for assigned stakeholders, ensuring effective communication and project management.
• Advise on strategic planning and tactical approaches to achieve success in communication initiatives.
• Co-maintain the department's project calendar and solicit materials from team members.
• Monitor projects and workloads, adjusting assignments and deadlines as necessary.
• Liaise with external vendors for contracted services and creative development.
• Evaluate metrics to assess and improve the effectiveness of marketing efforts.
• Develop and implement internal communication channels to enhance campus awareness.
• Ensure quality and consistency of messaging across all media and marketing platforms.
• Manage large print projects, collaborating with internal stakeholders and freelancers.
• Act as a university representative with the media, particularly for crisis communications.
• Attend executive meetings to provide strategic communication advice.
• Manage special projects as assigned by the Vice President of Advancement.

Requirements

• Minimum Bachelor of Arts or Science degree in marketing, public relations, communications, or related field.
• At least five years of work experience in marketing, public relations, project management, or administration.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Exceptional proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Proficiency with technology applications such as project management and scheduling tools.
• Knowledge of social media platforms and strategies.
• Evaluative research and data collection skills, including social media and web analytics.
• Familiarity with newsletter platforms like ConstantContact or MailChimp.
• Media relations skills, including writing and public speaking.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks with attention to detail and efficiency.
• Dedication to continual process improvement and flexibility in execution.
• Excellent relationship-building skills and a collaborative attitude.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience working in education, preferably higher education or nonprofit.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Disability insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Retirement pension plan
• 403(b) plan
• Undergraduate tuition waiver
• Graduate tuition waiver
• Tuition waivers for dependents
• Participation in the Tuition Exchange Program.