Director, Communications

Director, Communications

The Director of Communications is responsible for elevating the university's reputation and enhancing regional and national visibility. This role is pivotal in developing relationships with local, regional, and national news media to secure strategic media placements. Working collaboratively with the Associate Vice President of the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications (OSMC), the director oversees editorial content across various platforms, including print and digital, and overnight of a comprehensive social media plan. The director collaborates closely with team leaders in Marketing, Creative Services, and Operations to bolster marketing initiatives and ensure a cohesive and impactful messaging strategy for both internal and external audiences. Proactively working to enhance communication efforts for all university stakeholders at multiple campuses, the director offers expert counsel on media relations to the President, her cabinet, and faculty. This guidance aims to support the university's objectives related to recruitment, retention, and overall reputation.
Minimum Qualifications - Bachelor's degree from an accredited college/university in business, marketing, communications, or a related field preferred. Seven years of organizational leadership experience in media/public relations with increasing responsibility. Seven years of experience, and a record of success, managing through influence in a complex, diverse, deadline-driven, and team-oriented environment. Five years of experience making prudent and strategic decisions and taking appropriate action in situations where there may not be clearly established criteria or standards. Three years of experience in management and professional support of staff members. Five years of experience creating and executing multi-channel communications plans that result in measurable and desired outcomes. Three years of experience producing print publications, such as magazines. Strong media relations, executive and internal communications, issues management, and crisis communications skills. Superior writing and copy editing skills for various types of communications including news stories, media pitches, admissions marketing messages, internal newsletters, internal communications, and crisis communications. Excellent strategic planning and resource management skills. Excellent interpersonal and oral communication skills, including public speaking and articulating ideas clearly and succinctly. Ability to create and execute communications plans. Familiarity with local and national media.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience in higher education. Expertise in content marketing. Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) certification. Graduate degree in journalism, communications, or related field.
Benefits Summary - Applicants, please note that actual compensation is determined by several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job-related skills, depth of experience, certifications, relevant education or training, and specific work location, among others. The offered wage or salary is only one aspect of an employee's total compensation. Benefits include a comprehensive health and wellness plan, tuition remission program for employee, spouse, and dependent children, a generous contribution to the University's 403B retirement plan, and a generous time off plan. Employment is contingent upon successful completion and clearance of a background check and employment verification.
Location - La Verne Main Campus
Number of Vacancies - 1
Physical Demands Summary - The physical demands include the ability to sit, stand, walk, bend, and lift up to 20 pounds occasionally. Clear verbal and written communication is essential, as the position involves frequent interaction with colleagues, clients, or external partners. The noise level is generally low to moderate. The position may occasionally involve meeting deadlines or managing multiple priorities, which can require sustained focus and mental stamina.
Do the essential functions of this job require lifting? - Yes
If yes, list maximum weight and duration - 20Lbs
Describe work environment - This position is based in a standard office environment and primarily involves sedentary work. Employees are expected to spend extended periods of time working at a desk, using a computer, and engaging in routine office tasks such as emailing, attending meetings, and collaborating with colleagues.
Duties
Specific Duties - In partnership with the Associate Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Communications, enhance and elevate the university's visibility and reputation by developing and executing comprehensive media and public relations strategies in alignment with broader college and university initiatives. Collaborate with key stakeholders, including Admissions, Enrollment Management, college deans, and program chairs to develop communications plans and content for recruitment materials to support lead nurturing and drive enrollment. Collaborate with key partners across the university to generate news coverage and visibility for strategic focus areas. Cultivate relationships with reporters, editors, and producers at regional and national media outlets and professional associations. Partner closely with other teams within OSMC in the creation and updating of marketing collateral to ensure consistency of messaging.
Percentage Of Time - 25%
Specific Duties - Serve as chief storyteller and curator for the university: identifying, writing, editing, and curating campus stories for print and electronic publications, including the website, social media, advertorial, media statements, press releases, etc. Provide quality control and copy editing on internal and external communications. Ensure communications adhere to university brand, identity, and style standards. Serve as executive editor of the university magazine, Voice.
Percentage Of Time - 20%
Specific Duties - Lead and manage the university's social media efforts, including developing content, managing the social media calendar in Wrike, providing the direction and leadership to campus entities and their social media efforts, and monitoring and responding to external and internal submissions and postings.
Percentage Of Time - 10%
Specific Duties - Develop and manage strategic communications plans for internal audiences (faculty, staff, and current students) that builds awareness, understanding, and support for university needs and leadership directions. Develop and manage strategic communications plans for external audiences (traditional undergraduate, graduate, and adult learner prospective students), that nurtures and engages leads, and compels students to enroll in undergraduate and graduate programs. Basic knowledge of CRM (Slate) is required to understand campaign strategy and system functionality.
Percentage Of Time - 10%
Specific Duties - Act as a liaison for the Office of the President. Write and/or manage communications for the President and other executive stakeholders, including occasional speeches/remarks, a monthly electronic newsletter, and social media posts. Maintain confidentiality as it relates to sensitive information with key university stakeholders.
Percentage Of Time - 10%
Specific Duties - Assist in the implementation of university crisis communications plans. Provide support and backup to the AVP in times of crisis – serving as the designated Public Information Officer within incident command structure. Other duties as assigned.
Percentage Of Time - 10%
Specific Duties - Oversee the creation and maintenance of a university database of subject matter experts and their topics of expertise, for use by the Communications team.
Percentage Of Time - 5%
Specific Duties - Serve as a member of the Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications leadership team and contribute to macro-level strategic decision making.
Percentage Of Time - 5%
Specific Duties - Be a culturally competent employee who attends/completes mandatory diversity and inclusivity trainings as provided by the university.
Percentage Of Time - 5%
Salary Range
Minimum: - $87,177.30
Maximum: - $95,163
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number - 2024-251106SA
Open Date - 06/01/2026
Close Date
Open Until Filled - Yes
Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
Applicant Documents

Required Documents
Resume
Cover Letter