POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Director, University Communications and External Relations - West Plains
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1277
GRADE 46
CLASSIFICATION Exempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Chancellor
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Director, University Communications and External Relations – West Plains is the chief communications and marketing officer for Missouri State University - West Plains and serves as a liaison with MSU’s Office of University Advancement. The Director, University Communications and External Relations – West Plains is a member of the leadership team and provides public relations counsel to the Chancellor and other campus officials as needed and requested. The Director, University Communications and External Relations – West Plains oversees the area of University Communications, including public relations, marketing, news services, publications, social media, and webpage management and works cooperatively with the Office of University Advancement on the Springfield campus in the oversight and supervision of personnel in the West Plains Office of Development toward the accomplishment of the office’s joint goals and objectives.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: A bachelor’s degree in marketing, journalism, communications, public relations or a relevant field is required. A master’s degree is preferred.
Experience: At least five years of experience in marketing, communications, branding, and/or public relations, preferably with management experience, is required. Experience in a college setting is preferred. Experience in fundraising and/or development work in a college setting is preferred.
Skills: Exceptional interpersonal, verbal, and written communications skills are required. A working knowledge of various computer software applications, including word processing and database applications is required. Knowledge and expertise in the use of marketing communication tools, including the use of digital marketing and social media is required. Strong decision-making skills, the ability to prioritize tasks, and the ability to leverage and manage resources, both internal and external, are required. The ability to balance multiple priorities and meet tight deadlines is required. Proven management skills in areas such as projects, goal setting, staff supervision and evaluation, and budgeting are required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
Other: The scope of the job frequently requires some travel, working evenings and/or weekends, and attending events in the evening and/or weekends.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provides leadership and vision for the University’s strategic and integrated marketing and communication functions.
2. Ensures that the central administration is aware of the implications of a variety of issues from by providing public relations counsel to the Chancellor and other campus officials.
3. Develops and manages an annual marketing and communications plan that includes public relations, news services, publications, social media, webpage management, student recruitment, community relations, alumni relations, special events, marketing, and other communications initiatives in support of the overall strategic plan for the campus.
4. Manages the creation and use of internal and external branding for the campus, including print advertising, print marketing materials, video, digital advertising, website, and static displays.
5. Manages internal and external communication including oversight and content creation of mass communication with current students, faculty, staff, and alumni.
6. Ensures accuracy and consistency in all campus publications produced by the office by establishing standards for writing style, copy development, and design and encouraging other departments throughout the campus to comply with the same standards and guidelines.
7. Expands the campus’s constituency, strengthens existing affiliations, and ensures positive media exposure by coordinating and/or supporting special events for Missouri State University – West Plains, ranging from building dedications to awards programs.
8. Communicates the campus’s position and policies on a variety of issues to specific media and to various campus constituencies by serving as the Missouri State University – West Plains’ contact person with the media and, as appropriate, developing position papers and background materials for the Chancellor.
9. Assists departments with their projects and events by coordinating advertising and providing resources and expertise related to student recruitment, community relations, alumni relations, marketing and promotions, etc.
10. Serves as a liaison with the MSU Office of University Advancement in Springfield to oversee, evaluate, and coordinate the work of the full-time and part-time staff in the Office of Development on the West Plains campus.
11. Represents the Office of University Communications by chairing and serving on various campus committees.
12. Ensures the quality of the University Communications department’s operation by recruiting and hiring qualified applicants, providing training in departmental operations and individual duties, assigning work projects as appropriate, supervising and evaluating University Communications’ products, including news releases, publications, social media posts, and webpage content.
13. Ensures fiscally-sound operation of the University Communications department by exercising management practices which result in operating within allocated budget.
14. Facilitates a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
15. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues and attendance at professional development conferences/workshops and related activities.
16. Contributes to the overall success of the campus by performing all other duties and responsibilities as assigned the by the Chancellor.
SUPERVISION
The Director of Communications and External Relations reports to the Missouri State University-West Plains Chancellor and directly supervises full-time and part-time staff in the Office of University Communications. In conjunction with the MSU Office of University Advancement, the Director, University Communications and External Relations – West Plains co-directs and co-evaluates the work of the Assistant Director of Development – West Plains, the Events Coordinator, and an Administrative Assistant.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED NOVEMBER 2020
