Executive Director of Communications, Marketing, & Media Relations

Salary: $115,000.00 Annually

Location : Wenatchee, WA

Job Type: Full-time

Job Number: 2023-00029

Department: President's Office

Opening Date: 06/08/2023

Closing Date: Continuous

Job Summary
Reporting to the president, the executive director of communications, marketing, & media relations serves as the chief communications, brand, and public information officer for the college, leading and managing internal and external communications, marketing strategy, execution, and evaluation. The executive director communicates and builds brand awareness within the college community and greater region through coordinated efforts and messaging to internal and external audiences. The division develops and implements research-driven, results-oriented communications and marketing plans. The incumbent is responsible for developing and providing a strategic vision and leadership in the creation and implementation of a comprehensive communications and marketing plan for the district. The executive director oversees the development of strategic messaging and consistent graphic identity to build the college's brand in ways that grow enrollment, enhance fundraising, and improve internal communications. The executive director will highlight the college's strengths, and the areas of responsibility include public information, public relations, community relations, legislative relations, media relations, advertising, publications, college website, digital communications, special events, photography, graphic design, marketing, and image. The college is committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment, and the executive director is expected to foster relationships with stakeholders and assist in achieving the goals and objectives that further the college's ability to fulfill its mission.

Essential Functions

• Provides strategic assistance and advises the president and executive team members regarding community issues, local-state-federal governmental, public relations, and media relations functions. Serves in a senior policy-making capacity, including assisting with the development and achievement of the college mission, vision, values, and policies. Serves as a member of the president's cabinet and other internal and external committees as appropriate.
• Serves as a member, liaison, or leader of shared governance committees and task forces including Responsiveness to Local Needs, Accessibility IT Oversight Committee, Student Services Instruction Leadership (SSILT), and others.
• Develops and maintains media relations program, including providing information through interviews, news releases, features, news tips, letters, and opinion pieces, and developing good relationships with local media personnel.
• Serves as official college spokesperson to the college community on matters pertaining to internal or external affairs.
• Serves as the lead public information officer (PIO) for the district.
• Manages media relations in times of institutional crisis or critical incident. Coordinates emergency communications response in the role of public information officer (PIO). Leads development and implementation of rapid response crisis plans for social media, press strategies, content creation, Rave text alerts, web alerts and FAQs.
• Develops the strategic messaging, compelling, and consistent graphic identity to build the districts brand in ways that fosters innovation, supports the colleges enrollment growth initiatives, enhances fundraising and philanthropy, improves internal and external communication, and increases visibility to the college within the district, nationally, and internationally.
• As part of the college's continuous improvement framework, the executive director will integrate metrics and analytics to measure the effectiveness of the brand.
• Oversees and strengthens brand awareness by consistently communicating the college's distinctions to key target audiences internally and externally.
• Responsible for writing and editing presentations, speeches, print and electronic publications, social media, digital, and other materials. Administers and approves district print and electronic publications.
• Assists in writing and editing communications on behalf of the office of the president. Develops messages for district communications, statements, quotes and high-level correspondence.
• Assists with outreach and communications to maintain legislative relations. Develops materials for legislative visits and meetings, in partnership with the office of the president.
• The department is charged with telling WVC's stories to a broad range of audiences, positioning the college to lead, succeed and thrive.
• Responsible for general communications aspects of the website, and other social media, including content development, design, marketing messages and addressing audience needs.
• Responsible for branding elements, graphic design, photography and videography services for print and electronic publications and news sources.
• Facilitates and coordinates district integrated marketing efforts.
• Lead the college in the development and implementation of a relevant and effective assessment plan.
• Responsible for creating and placing paid advertisements for WVC classes, programs, services, and activities, including classified ads, display ads, radio ads, television ads, bus ads, cinema ads, billboards, social media, digital ads, geofencing ads and others.
• Responsible for planning, creating, producing, and distributing various publications, including annual reports, college catalog, class schedules, brochures, fliers, posters, fact cards, viewbooks, newsletters, etc.
• Responsible for promoting and participating in the development of special events, such as anniversary celebrations, groundbreaking ceremonies, dedications, open houses, and lecture series, and assists with other college special events, such as career fairs, Welcome Wednesdays, literary readings, music events, end-of-the-year celebrations, graduations, and others on campus and in the community.
• Represents the college at various community events.
• Responsible for design services for certificates, programs, invitations, postcards, banners, maps, signs, and other printed, media, and electronic materials.
• Manages department operations, including supervising staff, developing, and managing department budgets, and developing department operations goals and plans.
• Trains, supervises, and motivates employees in accordance with negotiated agreements, applicable state and federal laws, and college personnel policies and procedures.

This is not intended to be an exclusive list of all duties and responsibilities. Related duties and responsibilities may be assigned.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in public relations, marketing, communications, journalism, business, or a related field.
• Minimum of five years of marketing/communications leadership experience (manager of marketing, advertising, public relations, digital communications or related).
• Experience supervising, directing, and mentoring the work of others.
• Experience developing a communication or marketing plan with proven results.
• Working knowledge of graphic, web, and social media applications and tools, including MS Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, and website content management systems.
• Demonstrated understanding and commitment to web accessibility standards. Experience creating digital content (such as Word/PDF documents and web content) in accessible formats.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively. Excellent written and oral communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to interact with colleagues at every level of the organization.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate and execute a variety of tasks simultaneously and to exercise judgment and discretion.
• Demonstrated ability as a public speaker and serving as the organization's representative at public and private events.
• Ability to work effectively with internal and external partners.
• Experience using AP Style for media communications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Experience in higher education and/or corporate public relations, communications, or marketing.
• Working knowledge of state government and the political process.
• Demonstrated experience with marketing photography and video.
• Experience with brand development and professional writing.
• Diversity, equity and inclusion: Demonstrated competency and experience working in a diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological, gender and racial/ethnic backgrounds and those with physical, emotional and/or learning disabilities.
• Bilingual in Spanish and English

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Customer Service: Knowledge of customer service skills and best practices with ability to provide general and specialized student support with professional courtesy, empathy, and interest in positive problem solving.
• Oral communication: Speak clearly and persuasively, actively listen and take the time to understand the points being made, including asking questions as appropriate and responding to questions.
• Quality: Accurate and thorough, look for ways to improve and promote quality, provide feedback to improve performance, monitor own work to ensure quality.
• Professionalism: Approach others in a tactful manner, react well under pressure, treat others with respect and consideration and follow through on commitments.
• Problem solving: Ability to assess situations and think beyond the immediate issue to anticipate and fulfill future needs before they become complications.
• Technical/computer skills: High level of proficiency and accuracy in Microsoft Office; familiarity with Canvas, PeopleSoft, and other college systems; ability to be cross trained to provide basic technical support.
• FERPA: Maintain a high level of confidentiality and follow FERPA guidelines.

Additional Information
Terms of Employment:
This is full-time professional exempt position contracted on an annual basis. The salary for this position is $115,000 annually. The salary will be prorated to reflect the actual number of contract days worked in the remainder of the fiscal year. Flexibility in scheduling is required to meet the needs of the department.

Your paycheck is just part of the total compensation package. There is an outstanding benefits package which is worth an additional value equivalent to about 30% of your salary. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance; life and long- term disability insurance plans; vacation, sick and personal leave; reduced tuition; and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our benefits website at:

Work Schedule & Environment:

• Normal work hours are Monday through Friday, but occasional evening and weekend work may be required. Work in a busy office environment with frequent interruptions and distractions.

Conditions of Employment:

• Wenatchee Valley College only employs U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show proof of identity, and eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• All offers of employment are subject to background checks. Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Finalists are required to complete the sexual misconduct disclosure form as required under RCW 288.112.080.
• A valid Washington state driver's license may be required.

Application and Selection Procedure:
Complete application packages must include the following:

• Complete Wenatchee Valley College online application.
• Upload cover letter that specifically describes how your educational background and experience meet the minimum and preferred qualifications.
• Upload resume.
• Complete supplemental questions.

It is your responsibility to submit all required application materials before the deadline. Please do not send reference letters or other unsolicited materials. They will not be shared with the screening committee and cannot be returned to you. Only finalists may be asked to send additional materials.

Attachments from prior applications will not upload automatically to your new application. Should you have difficulties uploading your documents, please contact NeoGov Technical Support at 1-855-524-5627 for assistance.

Preliminary screening of complete applications will begin September 7, 2023, and continue until the position is closed. A limited number of applicants who meet the needs of the position and the college will be interviewed.

Reasonable Accommodation:
Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the application and employment process will be accommodated to the extent reasonably possible. Requests should be made to the human resources office by calling 509-682-6440. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may dial 711 to place a call through Washington Relay, the state's free telecommunication access service.

Equal Opportunity Employer:
Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and laws and regulations, or participation in...