Senior Director, Communications

Senior Director, Communications

Senior Director, Communications, needed to lead our organization's external communication strategies and initiatives. The Senior Director, External Communications will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communication plans that enhance the college's visibility, engagement, and success among students, employees, within the community and the broader education landscape. The ideal candidate will be a proactive strategic thinker and possess exceptional leadership skills, a deep understanding of brand reputation, messaging strategies, executive communications, crisis management, external communications, media relations, strategic planning, analytics, project management, process improvement, budget management, client relations, team development, and agency management.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proven experience in developing a cohesive, integrated communications strategy aligned with an organization's objectives and priorities.
• Experience as a people manager with strong leadership and team management skills, including a track record of leading and developing high-performing communications teams.
• Deep understanding of communications and media trends, principles, strategies, and tactics, with expertise in innovative messaging strategies to deploy an effective omni-channel approach.
• Experience in collaborating to strategically manage crisis situations by anticipating, preventing, and responding to media issues and crises and turning them to the benefit of the organization.
• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data, analyze market trends, and draw actionable insights.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Proven ability to drive results, meet deadlines, and manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking abilities.
• Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity, adapt to change, and thrive in a dynamic business environment.
• Management experience.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and equivalent experience in communications, public relations, English, journalism, marketing, business, or related field. Master's degree preferred. Official transcripts will be required.
• Ten (10) years of experience in communications, public relations, media relations, independently or with the support of an outside agency. At least three (3) years in a senior manager, director, or senior director capacity preferred.
• Experience overseeing annual or project budgets of $2MM-$5MM.
• Management experience. Five (5) years of experience as a people manager and leading teams.
• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, resource allocation, timeline management, project management and personnel supervision.
• Former Experience: Corporate Communications, Internal Communications, Employee Communications, Executive Communications, Strategic Communications, Public Relations, Media Relations, Journalism (Print/Broadcast/Digital)
• Extensive knowledge of developing and executing proactive and reactive integrated communications strategies.
• Bilingual or multilingual preferred.

*** Will be subject to a criminal background check. Some positions may be subject to a fingerprint check. ***

Key Responsibilities

• Build Communications Strategy & Plan Leverage Brand strategy, key priorities, and best practices to form a cohesive, integrated Communications strategy and plan recommendation for senior management (Chancellor/L2/L3). Lead all proactive and reactive PR and Communications activities to build brand reputation and drive preference. Additionally, this leader will partner with Marketing, Digital and Events teams to coordinate media relations and issues management protocols across all facilities and departments.
• Messaging Strategy Innovation Provide the organization with leadership in how best to leverage relevant Communications and media trends to ensure that the brand messages are breaking through the clutter, reaching the right targets at the most opportune moments by effectively deploying an omni-channel approach, while effectively shaping and managing the dialogue in the brand's favor.
• Executive Communications Establish a strategy and lead plan for an executive leadership visibility and thought leadership program. This will involve developing messaging strategies/platforms, identifying speaking opportunities with the media and at industry events, developing white papers, etc. Support the development of internal and external communications for the Chancellor/L2 and Board Trustees (internal messages/meetings, Board communications, media interviews).
• Crisis /Issues Management Partner with The Business Continuity Office in formalizing a rapid response system, anticipating issues, and prepare for/prevent issues from emerging in media coverage. When possible, strategically turn crisis situations for the benefit of the organization. Effective Crisis Management will require establishing appropriate response teams, consulting with Risk, Compliance and Legal, training spokespeople, crafting messages for all critical stakeholders, and evaluating response effectiveness, post-crisis. Where necessary, provide 24/7 on-the-ground support to corporate and facility leaders.
• External Communications Optimize and steward external communication strategy to effectively amplify the brand and reach of the institution using targeted external distribution, positive storytelling, employer brand awareness, morale, and message consistency.
• Media Relations Develop and maintain strong relationships with key local, regional, and national media. Track and build relationships with important online media outlets. Oversee handling of key media queries and identify opportunities for media interviews with key faculty, staff, and executive management.
• Strategic Planning - Develop long-term vision and goals for the organization, in alignment with its mission and values. By formulating actionable plans and initiatives for the department, you will play a key role in guiding the College's growth and success.
• Strategy and Analytics - Utilize data-driven insights and analytical methodologies to inform and guide key decision-making processes within the organization.
• Project Management - Plan, execute and oversee the successful completion of various projects within the organization. Defining project objectives, create detailed project plans and allocate resources effectively to ensure project goals are met on time and within budget.
• Process Management - Through data analysis, collaboration with cross-functional teams and the implementation of best practices, drive continuous improvement initiatives that lead to sustained organizational growth and success. Streamline marketing operations, enhance efficiency, and eliminate inefficiencies to achieve increased productivity, increased employee satisfaction and increased client satisfaction.
• Budget Management Monitor budgets for various areas and projects, ensuring adherence to college guidelines and targets.
• Client Relations - Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with internal clients. Responsibilities include being the primary point of contact for clients, addressing their inquiries and concerns promptly, and ensuring exceptional customer service at all times.
• Team Development & Management Build and scale a world class Marketing and Communications capability. Instill best practices, ensure the right people are in the right roles, and inspire teams (both internal and external agency partners) to achieve what they never thought possible. Nurture and empower employees to reach their full potential within the organization. Identify individual strengths and areas for growth, create personalized development plans and provide coaching and mentorship to foster professional growth with the goal of contributing to the overall success and retention of top talent.
• Agency Management This position will be responsible for enhancing the Marketing and program execution, and organizational Marketing capabilities, as a critical driver of enhanced, more tightly integrated Marketing & Communication, across the entire organization. This includes assessing the collection of agencies, suppliers, and consultants who are engaged with Dallas College, to ensure the Company is getting the expertise it needs to maximize Marketing impact.
• Completes required Dallas College Professional Development training hours per academic year.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by incumbents of this job and shall not be construed as a declaration of the total of the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Position requires regular and predictable attendance.