Assistant Director of Communications

Summary

Position Title

Assistant Director of Communications

Department

Marketing & Communications

Status

Full Time/Exempt

Job Summary

This position is responsible for working with Jacksonville University leadership and faculty to develop, implement, manage and measure the effectiveness of comprehensive and strategic communications strategies for the University and its programs.

The Assistant Director will report to Senior Vice President, Strategic Operations. This position is responsible for providing professional assistance and support to the leadership in the planning, design, development, and management of various communication projects and initiatives. As part of the duties, the person will participate in strategic planning of special projects related to internal and/or external communications and/or public relations proposals. Person is expected to be able to communicate and collaborate with others. Other duties are somewhat varied in nature, requiring independent judgment involving commonly encountered problems. This position performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities

Recruit, manage and retain 2-3 student workers for the Communications team

Duties/Responsibilities

Ownership of the content calendar and proactive media relations calendar, ensuring efforts by various team members and others outside the department are well coordinated.

Lead the development of public relations and communication planning and coordination in support of key events and initiatives.

Serve as the primary media contact for the university, and collaborating with all team leads in Marketing & Communications to push content to major media outlets. Responds to requests for information from the media and public; distributes promotional materials, including flyers, brochures and press kits; and prepares and presents information to internal and external sources.

Collaborate campus partners to develop creative content that supports strategic goals; Develop and execute a strategy for sharing content with key audiences, including JU leadership.

Lead content meetings and coordinate with key stakeholders inside and outside the department to keep them updated on upcoming and/or completed content and media activity and long-term plans.

Research, write, and edit content for University print material and online channels, including WAVE Magazine (print and online), JU News Hub, annualreports, emails, special events collateral, print and online ads, and web copy.

Ensure digital content incorporates best practices to support SEO and Google analytics Work collaboratively with key departments across campus to develop, organize and execute content ideas Capture photographs and visuals as needed to support content creation and marketing materials.

Post content to the JU News Hub and other landing pages, as needed, ensuring the news from campus is up to date and prominently features timely, relevant content.

Lead and help support public relations and media relations initiatives, such as writing press releases, media advisories and supporting story materials for media, as well as story development and pitching.

Assist with internal communications such as campus emails and other digital or print material for employees Assist with copy editing, fact checking and proofreading for a variety of content and communications as needed. Support other writing and editing needs of the marketing office as requested.

Required Skills/Abilities

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite or related software.
• After hours and weekend work sometimes required. 

Education, Certificates, Licenses, & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in appropriate areas of specialization.
• Four years of relevant experience.
• Higher-education expierence preferred. 

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift and carry equipment and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, and reach.
• Manual dexterity to efficiently operate a computer keyboard and other business machines.
• Adequate hearing to communicate effectively in person and by phone.

Important Note

This is not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required for this position. The University reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs.

To Apply

Interested applicants are asked to submit a completed JU application along with a copy of their resume and cover letter to Mary Anne Jolly at marketing@ju.edu.