Communication and Public Relations Manager

Position Summary
The manager leads and is proactive in identifying compelling stories and messages for a variety of college constituencies. The manager takes projects from inception to completion and is one of the primary “storytellers” for the college. Duties include collaborating with others across campus on communications with internal and external constituents, serving as the college’s primary media liaison, and assists the president and senior leadership with messaging for public speaking engagements, media interviews, as needed. The manager of college communications is a steward of the Alma brand, working to maintain Alma’s graphic standards and the style guide to ensure consistency and clarity, and serves as the editor and primary content creator for the college’s magazine, The Tartan.

Supervision
This position reports to the Senior Director of Marketing.

Essential Functions

Lead projects from ideation to completion with a sense of urgency, working primarily independently and also collaboratively to execute strategic communication initiatives

Plan and implement communication goals and action plans aligned with the college’s strategic objectives

Define key messages that articulate the value of an Alma education

Collaborate with the marketing team to disseminate communications across the appropriate media mix to increase brand awareness and visibility

Maintain media contact lists and positive relations with media, handle all media inquiries, serve as the college's primary spokesperson, monitor news coverage, and expand media placements to benefit Alma College

Lead creation of multimedia content — including press releases, blogs, audio/video, social media, and email about faculty, students, staff, alumni, donors, and programs, developing story topics, gathering information, interviewing sources, and ensuring accuracy for publications and the college website

Work collaboratively with senior leadership and the Advancement Office to develop themes, identify subjects, create content, and ensure timely publication of The Tartan, serving as the editor of the college magazine

Communicate effectively with campus clients, external vendors, and departmental colleagues to determine goals, audience, content, and timelines, fostering positive relationships and maintaining high standards

Lead collaborative projects, ensuring completion within established timelines and budgets, and oversee the online “Newsroom” and story sharing across the college website

Advance the scope, quality, and dissemination of college communications by monitoring industry best practices and developing new initiatives and serving as a consultative resource for faculty and staff

Manage crisis communication and serve as a primary administrator for the college’s crisis alert system

Develop and refine executive communications, including speeches, remarks, talking points, and messaging for institutional initiatives and public-facing engagements

Lead and coordinate internal messaging efforts, including campus Town Halls, institutional email communications, and management of the college events calendar, to support campus awareness and organizational transparency

Copy, edit, and proofread communications

Help maintain the website for accessibility and optimized content performance

Other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in communication, media studies or a related field

Demonstrated ability to take the lead, strategize, and execute communication initiatives independently and collaboratively

Excellent written communication skills, with experience in storytelling and writing through a marketing lens

Experience in building and maintaining strong media relationships

Strong time management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects and see them through to timely completion under deadlines

Experience with Microsoft Office Suite, web processes and social media

Experience in leading collaborative projects and bringing them to satisfactory and timely completion

Excellent presentation skills, including development of appropriate resources

Receptive to constructive criticism and willing to make revisions as necessary

Able to work collaboratively and participate actively in meetings with office colleagues, faculty, students and staff across all disciplines

Able to work evenings and weekends for major college events

Preferred Qualifications

At least three years of relevant professional experience

Experience in communication and media relations in a higher education environment

Able to identify messaging points appropriate for a broad audience and communicate them clearly

Experience working with underrepresented, first‑generation, Pell‑eligible, and diverse populations

Equal Opportunity Employer
Alma College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty, staff, and student body.

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