Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Title: Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Agency: Mountain Empire Community College

Location: Wise - 195

FLSA: Exempt

Hiring Range: $57,733 - $70,000

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

Job Description:

Mountain Empire Community College is a comprehensive two-year college serving residents of Lee, Scott, Wise, and Dickenson counties, and the City of Norton. MECC is one of twenty-three colleges in the Virginia Community College System and operates under policies established by the State Board for Community Colleges and the Local Advisory Board. The College is financed primarily with state funds, supplemented by contributions from the local jurisdictions.

The Marketing and Communications Coordinator is a Public Relations and Marketing Specialist IV, pay band five. This is a full-time position with full state benefits. The range for this position is $57,733-$70,000 and is adjusted for experience and education. This position reports to the Vice President of Institutional Advancement. The Coordinator will develop proven and innovative marketing strategies that strengthen the MECC brand within the region, including: the development of ongoing engagement strategies that promote enrollment and events; the management of the marketing plan and the advertising budget; the oversight of institutional branding, design and content via promotional mediums such as radio, TV, outdoor, print, social media and the website; and the coordination of media relations and media events.

Responsibilities also include serving as the official spokesperson for MECC after the President and Vice President for routine media communications. Responsibilities include coordinating all aspects of college marketing and communications with an emphasis on creating a unified public image and brand; creating connections with and seeking input from various internal and external stakeholders to guide marketing and communications needs, and to shape messaging and media usage; coordinating the development and maintenance of college print collateral including design, layout, and sourcing for production; coordinating all forms of advertising, to include design, preparation, and placement of advertising with media outlets; partnering with college staff to create and maintain an up-to-date and engaging college website and social media presence; supporting college participation in community events, college-sponsored special events, and visits by special guests and the public on campus that are designed to enhance positive public relations; working directly with the President and Vice President of IA to develop institutional responses to issues affecting the college and disseminating information to the media about campus events, programs, and accomplishments in a timely manner; working directly with the President and Vice President of IA to develop responses to local, state, and federal issues that impact the college and to organize advocacy campaigns in coordination with any MECC, MECC Foundation, and/or VCCS efforts; supporting institutional effectiveness activities and processes including: strategic planning, college-wide surveys, and focus groups; supporting appropriate institutional effectiveness processes related to public relations and marketing including annual departmental planning, data collection and analysis, and evaluation activities to improve programs and processes as determined necessary and appropriate; and performing other related duties as assigned by the President and Vice President of IA; establishing and maintaining effective relationships with students, faculty & staff, and other stakeholders important to the college.

This position is designated as a covered employee in a non-restricted position in accordance with Department of Human Resource Management (DHRM) Policy 2.20. A non-restricted position is one that is funded by sources considered continuous or recurring, such as Educational and General Funds.

A covered employee is a salaried employee whose terms and conditions of employment are subject to the Virginia Personnel Act and who is employed in a classified position. In accordance with DHRM policies, covered employees accumulate paid leave, participate in state retirement, life insurance, and related plans, participate in the Virginia Sickness and Disability Program, are eligible to participate in the state health plan and flexible benefits program, and are subject to the provisions of all DHRM policies.

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to be successful in the position:

• Superlative communication skills in all forms.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Ability to use tact and professionalism including in times of extreme stress.
• Ability to think creatively.
• Ability to work independently and with varying affinity groups
• Ability to learn and operate multiple communication software platforms including website CMS, digital signage, video and photo editing software
• Ability to adapt and respond to difficult questions and issues.
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient with various marketing and design software, to include Canva.
• Ability to create, implement, and apply a budget.
• Ability to maintain a high level of ethics and confidentiality in performance of all duties.
• Possess a thorough understanding of principles and methods used to promote, display, and advertise services.
• Possess a thorough understanding of marketing to multicultural and minority populations.
• Ability to offer sound media relations advice to senior leadership.

Minimum required qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Journalism, Advertising, Communications, or related field, or a combination of experience and/or education to at least 4 years of professional ability.
• Submission of portfolio of relevant to previous writing, editing, or design projects. A multimedia presentation with introduction/elaboration may also be submitted but is not required.
• Extremely proficient with Microsoft Office Suite and desktop publishing software.

Additional Considerations:

Master's degree in Marketing, Communications, or related field.

Five years of dedicated experience in marketing and/or long-range planning.

Professional certification(s) in marketing, including but not limited to digital or online marketing.