Communications Director, Joseph R Biden, Jr School of Public Policy and Administration
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which encourages applications from Minority Group Members, Women, Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans. The University's Notice of Non-Discrimination can be found at http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html
Job No: 499618
Work Type: Staff
Location: Newark/Hybrid
Categories: Communications & Public Relations, Full Time
The Communications Director leads the development and delivery of the internal and external communications strategy for the University of Delaware (UD) Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Policy and Administration (Biden School), in conjunction with the UD Office of Communications and Marketing (OCM). Reporting to and under the general direction of the Sr. Director, College Communications in OCM with a dotted line to the dean of the Biden School, the Communications Director develops and implements strategic communications and marketing plans for the Biden School.
The Joseph R. Biden, Jr. School of Public Policy and Administration provides undergraduate and graduate education, research, and public service in the fields of leadership, urban affairs, public policy, public administration, energy and environmental policy, disaster management, and public health. Named in honor of the 46th President of the United States and UD alumnus Joe Biden, the Biden School is the home of nine graduate degrees, two graduate certificate programs, and three undergraduate programs. The school supports a full body of faculty, staff, and students in research, student support services, and finance and administration. The Biden School also hosts six research centers: Biden Institute, Center for Applied Demography and Survey Research, Center for Community Research and Service, Center for Energy and Environmental Policy, Center for Historic Architecture and Design, and the Institute for Public Administration.
The Communications Director is responsible for projecting a favorable image of the Biden School to key stakeholders and media. Specifically, the Communications Director is responsible for producing communications pieces and strategies for both internal and external audiences to address the strategic goals and objectives of the school and its respective units, as well as the overarching goals and objectives of the University. The Communications Director works directly with colleagues in OCM and the school to provide public relations, writing, graphic design and print production, digital and multimedia production, event promotion, and photography services. The Communications Director supervises unit communications staff, leads workshops and training sessions for staff with communications responsibilities, and coordinates communications efforts and activities throughout the School.
• Directs, develops and implements strategic communications plans and initiatives in support of the Biden School and University priorities and goals across multiple channels including print, web, and social media.
• Advises senior school administrators on the effective communication of goals, priorities and actions to stakeholders and media.
• Operates as the primary interface between the school and other University constituencies to enforce the institution’s brand image and messaging while promoting the mission, goals, priorities and accomplishments of the Biden School, its units and programs, and the University.
• Establishes and implements short- and long-range communications and marketing strategies, objectives and policies for the Biden School and its respective units and programs, ensuring and leading coordination among all.
• Oversees the development, production, delivery, and maintenance of print pieces, as well as online materials, content, promotional messages, and various web properties for the Biden School, its programs, centers and activities.
• Interacts regularly with groups outside the Biden School, including but not limited to communications units in other UD colleges, UD's Office of Communications and Marketing, UD's Office of Development and Alumni Relations, UD Admissions, and the media to ensure that information on programs is communicated effectively and favorably to internal and external audiences at local, regional, national, and international levels.
• Works with communications liaisons from relevant departments and centers to ensure continuity across all printed and electronic materials.
• Serves as the lead manager for priority communications projects across the college/school. Writes, edits and oversees the production of communications pieces for print and electronic media promoting the accomplishments of faculty, staff, students and alumni.
• Serves as the direct supervisor of communications staff. Manages staff and staff assignments and coordinates activities to meet the communication needs of the school.
• Serves as the school’s point person for strategic communications, particularly in emergent situations or major developments that receive media or stakeholder attention.
• Provides strategic communications direction for major events and school participation in major university events.
• Tracks and assesses marketing and communications activities, identifies improvement methods and presents alternatives. Develops and implements innovative methods of communication, marketing, and interaction with alumni, current and potential students, and other constituents including external partners.
• Ability to evaluate, develop, and edit marketing and communications plans and correspondence, as well as related materials. Ability to develop and implement short-and-long-term goals and plans.
• Ability to work effectively and manage multiple clients and projects simultaneously and under tight deadlines, often switching gears numerous times a day among a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community, while managing competing priorities and overseeing the day-to-day effort of supporting professional staff, partners and/or vendors.
• Superior written, verbal, interpersonal, organizational and public speaking skills, and attention to detail.
• Ability to develop compelling, creative, and effective messages and statements.
• Experience in developing strategic communications, public relations or marketing, and media relations, preferably within a complex organization.
• Broad and in-depth knowledge of publishing methods and writing and editing techniques.
• Project management skills with the ability to lead substantial marketing and communication projects in a variety of media to completion.
• Familiarity with common word processing, spreadsheet, graphic design, presentation, web design, and mass communications tools, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Photoshop, Illustrator, WordPress or Adobe Experience Manager, and email marketing tools.
• Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge, best practices, policies and procedures to specific communications and marketing plans and activities.
• Demonstrated collaborative approach with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.
• Experience coordinating and managing staff to develop high-quality communications materials.
• Knowledge of communications concepts, principles, methodology and techniques.
• Knowledge and understanding of current issues and trends applicable to higher education institutions.
• Experience in higher education, public policy and/or public administration is desirable.
• Demonstrated understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds.
• Committed to fostering a workplace culture of belonging, where diversity is celebrated, and equity is a core value.
Notice of Non-Discrimination, Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
The University of Delaware does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, disability, religion, age, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law in its employment, educational programs and activities, admissions policies, and scholarship and loan programs as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other applicable statutes and University policies. The University of Delaware also prohibits unlawful harassment including sexual harassment and sexual violence.
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