Communications Manager

The mission of Marketing and Communications is to strategically advance the stature of Santa Fe College and improve the recruitment and retention of SF students by producing and providing direction for online, print and promotional materials, as well as consistent and meaningful media relations.

Under the leadership and vision of the Associate Vice President (AVP) for Marketing and Communications, the Communications Manager is responsible for developing, implementing, and managing internal and external communication strategies. The Manager promotes college and community events, creates content for print, digital platforms, social media, and the college website, and uses compelling storytelling to communicate the college's brand, mission, and identity. In all responsibilities, the Manager engages both internal and external audiences to foster a strong college presence.

The starting salary is $54,725 annually. Any salary amount above this is commensurate upon an individual's qualifications.

Responsibilities and Duties Include:

• Develops and manages the college's day-to-day communications, ensuring all internal and external messaging is accurate, timely and consistent with the college's brand, mission and identity.

• Guides and contributes to the development and implementation of strategic communication plans and collaborates with key constituents to gain full understanding of communication requests.

• Generates compelling stories by actively engaging all college departments to share information and producing internal weekly/daily campus communications; provides counsel for appropriate and timely newsletters, press releases and feature stories.

• Enhances and strengthens the college's reputation by publicizing and showcasing college programs, activities, people and events.

• Writes, edits, proofs and distributes collegewide communications materials using multiple platforms, including print, digital and social media, college website, broadcast and designated college publications.

• Evaluates and recommends appropriate communication mediums to the AVP to ensure effective reach of messages as needed.

• Monitors, edits and posts web communications content in a timely manner to ensure the website is up to date, clear, concise, accessible and accurate.

• Assists with the design and implementation of social media strategy to support the college's brand and oversees the creation, monitoring and scheduling of social media content.

• Maintains information posted on electronic campus messaging displays on the Northwest Campus and at all Centers to ensure key messages, events, and updates are effectively communicated collegewide.

• Creates, updates and monitors timely collegewide emergency communications via email, web, social media, news media, and other digital platforms in support of the AVP; participates in emergency management meetings as needed.

• Maintains a positive, proactive media relations program that enhances the college's visibility and reputation through the development of news releases, public service announcements, award nominations, and promotion of special events and activities.

• Develops and maintains professional relationships with area news and information outlets and coordinates media relations responses with internal departments and public relations agencies as directed.

• Monitors local and national media outlets and processes news for placement in the archive system.

• Supports college leaders by writing scripts, speeches and talking points and preparing presentations as directed; researches and verifies facts in the development of internal and external publications and communications.

• Coordinates budget management, financial resources, and expenditures to ensure efficient utilization within allocated funds.

• Collaborates with the AVP to create and implement departmental goals that strategically advance the stature of SF and that provide consistent, meaningful direction.

• Represents Marketing and Communications at a variety of internal and external committees, conferences, and related events and activities.

• Complies with all published College Rules, procedures, guidelines, and laws/regulations governing public employees, including but not limited to those related to document retention and destruction, FERPA, and confidentiality.

• Provides service excellence through courteous, informed, accessible, and professional engagement.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Reports to: Associate Vice President, Marketing and Communications

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: A bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism or a closely related field with two (2) years of related experience and/or a combination of education and experience equal to six (6) years.

Additional Requirements: A criminal background check will be conducted.

Preferred: A master's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a closely related field with prior experience in managing projects and assignments within strict budgets and timelines, as well as specific experience at higher education institutions.

General Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural environment.

• Adaptability to Change - able to be flexible and supportive, able to positively and proactively assimilate change in rapid growth environment.

• Analytical Aptitude & Problem Solving - able to analyze information, problems, situations, practices and/or procedures, collect and interpret data, reason logically, establish facts, identify and define existing and potential issues, recognize the interrelationships among elements, draw valid conclusions, develop recommendations, as well as alternative courses of action, select appropriate course, follow up, and evaluate.

• Communication - able to effectively communicate in a professional, diplomatic, empathetic, and tactful manner using preferred method and level as applicable to the job.

• Critical Thinking & Judgement - able to make well-reasoned, sensible, and timely decisions based on careful, objective review and informed analysis of available information, considerations, and other factors.

• Customer Service - ability to respond promptly and courteously to all questions from students and faculty, demonstrating patience and persistence when helping students with little or no computer skills.

• Ethics - able to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, civility, and a high degree of ethics in all job-related actions.

• Leadership - has demonstrated success as an entrepreneurial, high energy, driven, hands-on leader. Possess expertise in selecting, training, developing, coaching, mentoring, and retaining a highly motivated workforce.

• Organization & Time Management - able to plan, schedule, and organize tasks related to the job to achieve goals within or ahead of established time frames.

• Problem Solving - proven skills in identifying issues, determining their cause, developing creative solutions, and following through with implementing resolutions.

• Team Orientation & Interpersonal - highly motivated team-player with ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with all levels within and external to the organization.

• Relationship Management - able to personally provide high level of interactive service to others, building relationships and addressing identified needs.

• Results Orientation - proven ability to set and exceed established targets.

• Systems & Software - proficient level of knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or relevant position software programs.

• Detail Oriented - Proven accuracy and attention to detail.

• Multi-task - Ability to expeditiously organize, coordinate, manage, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks simultaneously to swiftly assess a situation, determine a logical course of action, and apply the appropriate response.

Application Process: All applicants must submit a completed online SF application, a letter of intent, an up-to-date resume/curriculum vitae, and unofficial academic transcripts (if applicable) to be considered for this position. Unofficial transcripts are only accepted for review purposes, official transcripts are required prior to any offer of employment being made.