Digital Media and Communications Manager

Position Overview

The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) is a state agency governed by a nine-member, governor-appointed board. With oversight from our board, SBCTC administers the Community and Technical College Act. We work closely with community and technical colleges and other partners to support student success, expand learning opportunities, and strengthen Washington's communities, industries, and workforce.

This is a redesigned position that reports to the SBCTC Communications Director. The incumbent plans, creates, and manages digital media that is clear, engaging, and accessible. They use social media, visual design, video, and photography to share information, tell meaningful stories, and support understanding across the system. The role plays a key part in shaping how our audiences experience SBCTC's digital presence.

The Digital Media and Communications Manager position is an administrative exempt position headquartered in Olympia; however, some hybrid work can be negotiated.

Mission and Vision Statement

Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities. We challenge, empower and embolden ourselves and our colleges to deliver equitable higher education through antiracist policies that ensure economic vitality across Washington. Our values are focused on racial equity and social justice, accountability, community and culture building, service, humor, collaboration and innovation.

Principal Activities

Strategic communications planning

• Lead digital media, visual communications, brand, and social media strategies and planning, ensuring alignment with agency priorities and audience needs.

Visual communications

• Design and oversee the production of graphics, data visualizations, publications, and digital assets that present complex information clearly.
• Ensure accessibility by applying web content accessibility guidelines (WCAG) and best practices.
• Advise and collaborate with colleagues and partners to develop effective visual content.
• Guide and review creative work to ensure quality, accuracy, and alignment with organizational voice and values.

Brand management

• Maintain and grow a consistent brand identity, including visual standards, tone, and voice.
• Support clear messaging and storytelling across platforms.
• Review materials and provide guidance to ensure alignment with brand and accessibility principles.
• Use feedback and performance insights to strengthen brand effectiveness.

Social media management

• Create and manage social media content across platforms.
• Monitor engagement, respond to audiences, and support positive interactions.
• Use analytics to improve reach, engagement, and understanding.
• Apply plain language and inclusive communication practices.

Video and photography

• Plan, produce, and edit video and photo content for digital platforms.
• Manage all aspects of production, including concepting, filming, and post-production.
• Ensure accessible and inclusive content (e.g., captioning, representation).
• Organize and maintain media assets for ongoing use.

Other duties as assigned

• Use a range of communications tools to develop and maintain digital content.
• Participate in committees and represent SBCTC as assigned.
• Perform related duties as needed.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Instead of a traditional cover letter, please draw from your experiences and ideas and share a proposal for the following scenario.

Note: Please keep your response to less than two pages. We are interested in your thought process, strategic approach, and how you would use the available tools and resources. A high-level proposal is all that's needed.

Scenario

You're the Digital Media and Communications Manager for SBCTC. Agency leadership asks you to develop and launch a digital communications campaign that highlights an unfamiliar program. Assume this program serves an important group, but many people-including SBCTC staff and external audiences-aren't familiar with it.

Money and capacity are tight, so this campaign needs to leverage the tools and resources SBCTC already has. This includes:

• Adobe Creative Cloud Suite for graphics, video, and photos
• A camera with recording capabilities
• Facebook, Bluesky, and LinkedIn accounts, with about $200 for boosting
• Newsletter templates for internal and external audiences
• Established channels for communicating to SBCTC staff, college presidents and other leadership, college faculty and staff, Tribes, and state and local partner
• Agency style and brand guides
• SBCTC website and analytics tool
• Support from subject matter experts and SBCTC leadership

Your proposal

Drawing on what you learned from the job posting and the responsibilities of this position:

• How would you approach this request?
• What components would you include in the campaign and why?
• How would you ensure the messaging is meaningful, accessible, and inclusive?
• How would you measure success?
• What questions would you ask before developing and launching the campaign?

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, digital media, journalism, or related field and five years of related experience OR equivalent combination of education and experience
• Proven ability to develop, lead, and implement and lead strategies across various communications channels
• Strong skills in visual communications, including graphic design, data visualization, and multimedia content creation
• Experience with social media management, audience engagement, and analytics
• Proficiency in Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
• Proficiency in video and photography production, including planning, filming, and editing
• Working knowledge of Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) and experience creating accessible digital content
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills with the ability to translate complex information into clear, audience-centered content
• Experience maintaining brand consistency, including voice, tone, and visual identity
• Ability to manage multiple projects, meet deadlines, and collaborate effectively with colleagues and partners

Compensation

Annual Salary: $92,016 to $92,016

Location: Olympia, Washington

Timeline

Open Date: Monday, July 13, 2026

Close Date: Friday, July 24, 2026

This is a full-time, exempt position. The annual compensation for this position is listed above. Washington state has a generous benefit package including health, dental, life insurance, long-term disability, retirement, and two optional deferred compensation programs. For more information, see Exempt Employee Benefits .

Recruitment and screening of applications will be ongoing until the position is filled. However, to ensure full consideration, return completed materials by 5 p.m. on the closing date. Note: Agency hiring authorities reserve the right - and may exercise the option - to make hiring decision prior to the conclusion of the recruitment process. Please submit materials as soon as possible.

Application Process

Interested candidates may apply by submitting the following items:

• Online Application
• Cover Letter (See the section below titled "Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities" for the writing assignment.)
• Detailed résumé of all educational and professional experience that demonstrates how you meet the qualifications.
• Attach list of at least three professional references (including current supervisor) with contact information. References are typically contacted after interviews.

Contact

Pamela J. Kelly

Human Resource Consultant 4

pkelly@sbctc.edu

360-704-4301

Submitted applications are the property of SBCTC and will not be returned.

Prior to new hire, the finalist for this position will be subject to a criminal background check as a condition of employment. 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.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. Candidates who are offered a job with SBCTC must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future. SBCTC complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal government eligibility verification form I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identify and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements for that form.

EEO Statement

The Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) supports Executive Order 13-01 Veterans Transition Support and is an equal opportunity employer. SBCTC complies with the American's with Disabilities Act.

Applicants who need accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Office at 360-704-4301. A TDD relay service is available by dialing 800-833-6388 or voice 800-833-6384.