Director, Communications

Austin Peay State University; Clarksville (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Austin Peay State University’s College of STEM seeks a Director of Communication to lead marketing and communications. You will develop the college’s strategy, manage a $50k+ marketing budget, supervise staff, student workers, and ambassadors, and coordinate with APSU’s Office of Public Relations and Marketing to raise visibility and recruit students.

You'll oversee digital campaigns, press materials, and annual reports, ensuring brand consistency and alignment with the college’s goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related field.
• Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, public relations, or communications.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff or student workers.

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and evaluate the College of STEM annual marketing and communication plan, including a minimum $50,000 budget and a $25,000 digital campaign.
• Design, coordinate, and oversee campaigns promoting student recruitment, program growth, faculty achievements, and community engagement.
• Supervise and mentor a student worker, an intern, and the College of STEM Student Ambassadors program.
• Provide leadership and direction for the college’s communication efforts, ensuring alignment across platforms.
• Write, edit, and distribute press releases highlighting programs, students, faculty research, and achievements.
• Serve as the liaison with the APSU Office of Public Relations and Marketing.
• Build and maintain relationships with media outlets to increase visibility of the college.
• Oversee the college’s social media presence, with content created by student workers under supervision.
• Lead the creation and publication of the College of STEM Annual Report and develop promotional materials.
• Serve on the College of STEM leadership team to align strategies with college goals.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Writing & storytelling

Budget management

Staff supervision

Digital marketing analytics

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related field

Job description

Position Summary

The Director of Communication for theCollege of STEMprovides strategic leadership and oversight of all marketing and communication initiatives for the college. This roleis responsible fordeveloping and executing the college’s comprehensive communication and marketing strategy, managing an annual marketing budget of at least $50,000, and ensuring alignment with the college’s mission, vision, and strategic priorities. The Director supervises staff, student workers, and ambassadors and serves as the primary liaison between the college and the university’s Office of Public Relations and Marketing.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Planning & Marketing Management

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  Develop, implement, and evaluate the College of STEM annual marketing and communication plan, includingmanaging a minimum $50,000 budget, includinga digital marketing campaign with a minimum $25,000 budget.

  
  


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  Design, coordinate, and oversee campaigns that promote student recruitment, program growth, faculty achievements, and community engagement.

  
  

  Leadership & Supervision

  
  
  
  
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    Supervise and mentor a student worker, an intern, and the College of STEM Student Ambassadors program.

    
    
  
  
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    Provide leadership and direction for the college’s communication efforts, ensuring alignment across all platforms and initiatives.

    
    
  
  
  
  


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  Media & Public Relations

  
  
  
  
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    Write, edit, and distribute press releases highlighting the college’s programs, students, faculty research, and achievements.

    
    
  
  
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    Serve as thecollegeliaison with the APSU Office of Public Relations and Marketing.

    
    
  
  
  
  

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  Build andmaintainrelationships with media outlets to increase visibility of the college.

  
  

  Digital & Social Media Oversight

  
  
  
  
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    Oversee the college’s social media presence, with content created and managed by student workers under the Director’s supervision.

    
    
  
  
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    Ensure consistency, professionalism, and brand alignment in all digital platforms.

    
    
  
  
  
  

  Publications & Reports

  
  
  
  
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    Lead the creation and publication of the College of STEM Annual Report, coordinating content across departments and programs.

    
    
  
  
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    Develop promotional and informational materials in support of advancement, recruitment, and community engagement initiatives.

    
    
  
  
  
  

  Other Responsibilities

  
  
  
  
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    Serve as a member of the College of STEM leadership team to align communication strategies with college-wide goals.

    
    
  
  
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    Perform other related duties as assigned.

    
    
  
  
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

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  Strategic leadership in communication, marketing, and branding initiatives.

  
  


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  Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills across multiple platforms.

  
  


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  Ability to manage budgets and evaluateROI ofcommunication campaigns.

  
  


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  Experience supervising and mentoring staff, students, or interns.

  
  


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  Proficiencyin digital marketing, social media management, and analytics.

  
  


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  Strong collaboration skills and the ability torepresentthe college to internal and external audiences.

  
  

Required Minimum Qualifications

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  Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, or related field.

  
  


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  Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, public relations, or communications.

  
  


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  Demonstrated experience in supervising staff or student workers.

  
  

Preferred Qualifications

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  Master’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or related field.

  
  


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  Experience in higher education or nonprofit communication leadership.

  
  


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  Demonstrated success in managing digital marketing campaigns and budgets.

  
  

Physical Requirements

• Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.