Job Description

Minimum Qualifications
Broad knowledge of marketing, communications and event management
Bachelor’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Advertising, Design, Educational Media, or related professional experience.
Minimum of 7 years of professional experience in marketing or communications positions
Familiarity working in highly collaborative, matrix environments
Excellent written and verbal communication; interpersonal skills
Strong time-management and work prioritization skills necessary to manage complex, dynamic workflow
Design skills such as Adobe Creative Cloud suite
Social media management and potential marketing strategy development
Basic skills with logistics, especially regarding event management and project timelines
Ability to work independently; self-motivated
Basic knowledge of marketing, communications, and public relations
License/Certification Required
n/a
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Advertising, Design, Educational Media, or related professional experience.
10+ years of professional experience in marketing or communications positions
Professional experience in website content management and governance
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Communications Director and Website Manager will be responsible for handling a variety of strategic, administrative, and website management activities for Research, Scholarship and Creative Activities (RSCA), including communications, branding, and public relations. In addition, the incumbent will develop and sustain internal and external engagement and community involvement programs in support of the brand. This position will report to the Public Relations Director in the Department of University Communications while supporting the goals and priorities set by the Vice Provost of Research and Innovation, in alignment with the overall communications/marketing plan for the university.

Duties and Responsibilities will include:

Integration with University Communications:
Collaborate within University Communications to develop, implement and review university content strategy and communications goals
Meet regularly with the college dean to plan communications work, provide updates and receive feedback
Participate in weekly meetings as part of the University Communications public relations team
Utilize University Communications’ project management tools to track progress on work assignments
Marketing and Communication:
Serves as the RSCA lead writer to conceptualize, research, write and edit clear and compelling content for diverse audiences (including current university affiliates as well as alumni, parents, donors, prospective students, and community partners); for multiple platforms (including RSCA’s website, other digital communications, in print, and social media); and in multiple formats (including profiles, features, news releases, reports, newsletters, invitations, presentations, and event promotion)
Promote the outstanding achievements of the RSCA’s students, faculty, administration, and alumni; writing human interest stories and articles; creating newsletters; assisting with events; ensuring photography; providing oversight of the College’s website and social media accounts
Advises on the RSCA strategic and integrated marketing and communication functions
Ensure website, publications, and event content is relevant, accurate, consistent outward-facing, and engaging for all stakeholders
Work with faculty and staff to review content, negotiate edits or changes, and move approved content forward
Partner collaboratively with other university personnel in developing, designing, managing, troubleshooting, and/or sharing content about RSCA
Track analytics to support key marketing and external engagement strategies
External Engagement:
As needed, assist the Vice Provost for Research and Innovation with various tasks to support fundraising and development efforts in the College, including donor-focused events and facilitating marketing materials
Assist in outreach initiatives to cultivate identity and create or expand relationships with external partners
Develop and execute reports, presentations, materials, and updates for high-level college officials, the College Advancement Board, and prospective student and parent audiences
Knowledge and Process:
Identifies, advises, and collaborates with constituents regarding communication needs and issues; provides options on the type of strategy to use with communication and gauges potential effectiveness.
Communicates with key stakeholders to inspire a culture of creativity, collaboration, and partnership as part of a broader, synchronized, multi-disciplinary team of higher education professionals
Ensures the image Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity aligns with and supports the Appalachian State University vision, mission, and values and resonates with faculty, staff, prospective and current students, alumni, and partners
Office Effectiveness:
Works with the dean’s office staff and the college Director of Development to elevate communications, including conceptualizing, creating, and ensuring the creation of graphics, videos, photography, and/or other visual elements that will accompany content
Works closely with the RSCA’s vice provost, deans, director of development, and staff to amplify the relevance and impact of alumni, faculty, staff, and students’ scholarly activities and accolades for local, state, and regional audiences