Chief Institutional Communications & Strategy Officer

Macomb-Community-College; Clinton Charter Township (MI); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Macomb Community College seeks a strategic communications leader to oversee public relations, institutional communications and community relations. This senior role advises the President, executive leadership and Board of Trustees and serves as the primary spokesperson for the College.

The position leads integrated communication strategies to advance priorities, protect reputation and ensure a clear, credible institutional voice across internal and external audiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, public affairs or a related field.
• Master’s degree and professional accreditation preferred.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, including three years of leadership or supervision.
• Experience advising senior executives and serving as a spokesperson; crisis or issues communications experience required.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership for the College’s public relations, institutional communications and community-relations functions.
• Serves as a senior communications advisor to the President, executive leadership and Board of Trustees and as a primary spokesperson for the College.
• Leads integrated communication strategies that advance institutional priorities, strengthen engagement, protect reputation and ensure a consistent institutional voice.
• Leads crisis, emergency and high-risk communications with leadership and relevant departments; maintains crisis-response protocols and templates.
• Develops and leads change-management communications for major institutional initiatives and leadership decisions.
• Oversees internal and student communications to engage employees and students with priorities and developments.
• Manages community and stakeholder relations, sponsorships and public-funding communication strategies.
• Collaborates across departments to ensure messaging consistency and governance, including public records and privacy considerations.
• Leads, develops and evaluates staff, manages budgets, and uses analytics to improve communications capabilities.

Skills

Strategic Communications

Executive Communications

Media Relations

Crisis Communications

Change Management

Internal Communications

Stakeholder Relations

Governance & Compliance

Leadership & People Management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, public affairs or a related field

Master’s degree and professional accreditation preferred

Job description

Macomb Community College seeks a strategic communications leader to oversee public relations, institutional communications and community relations. This senior role advises the President, executive leadership and Board of Trustees and serves as the primary spokesperson for the College.

The position leads integrated communication strategies to advance priorities, protect reputation and ensure a clear, credible institutional voice across internal and external audiences.