Director of Communications & Assistant Advancement Officer

Commonwealth of Virginia; North Carolina; On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established community college seeks a Director of Communications and Assistant Advancement Officer to lead innovative marketing and public relations strategies. This role involves overseeing a dynamic communications office, developing comprehensive marketing plans, and enhancing the college's visibility through strategic outreach. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, a background in social media marketing, and a commitment to fostering student engagement and success. Join a dedicated team in a vibrant community, where your contributions will make a significant impact on education and local development.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience in marketing and communications.
• Proven ability to lead projects that enhance branding and recruitment.
• Strong analytical skills to evaluate marketing effectiveness.

Responsibilities

• Oversee communications office and manage public relations efforts.
• Develop yearly marketing plans to promote enrollment.
• Lead fundraising appeals for the SVCC Foundation.

Skills

Social Media Marketing

Project Planning

Branding Principles

Data Analysis

Communication Skills

Fundraising Experience

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Marketing

Bachelor's Degree in Communications

Job description

Title : Director of Communications & Assistant Advancement Officer

Agency : Southside Va Community College

FLSA : Exempt

Hiring Range : Commensurate with education, experience and VCCS guidelines

Full Time or Part Time : Full Time

Job Description :

Established in 1970, SVCC is one of the 23 colleges in the Virginia Community College System. SVCC is an accessible, comprehensive, public, two-year institution of higher education serving approximately 183,000 residents across multiple counties and the city of Emporia, covering about 4,200 square miles. The college has an Extension Campus in Keysville, VA, and five Educational Centers. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SVCC offers Associate degrees and is committed to providing educational opportunities that develop skills and knowledge. The college's mission is to serve as a gateway to education, training, and employment, fostering an inclusive environment responsive to community needs. Our vision is to inspire excellence, transform lives, and contribute to economic vitality.

Located in a rural setting with access to metropolitan Richmond, Raleigh, and Lynchburg, the area offers recreational, cultural, and sporting activities, making it an attractive place to live and work.

SVCC is seeking a Director of Communications and Assistant Advancement Officer, a creative and motivated leader responsible for developing and implementing the college’s marketing, communications, and public relations strategies, as well as spearheading the SVCC Foundation’s annual fund efforts. This position reports to the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement and resides on the Christanna campus in Alberta, serving all college locations.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Oversee the communications office, including public relations, recruitment support, advertising, publications, graphic design, social media, and multimedia content.
2. Develop a comprehensive yearly marketing and communications plan to promote enrollment and college programs.
3. Create integrated marketing plans to enhance the college's image and highlight successes.
4. Manage social media and digital marketing efforts to reach current and prospective students and community partners.
5. Oversee the production of high-quality publications such as brochures, newsletters, and magazines.
6. Evaluate communication efforts for effectiveness and ROI.
7. Coordinate public information, marketing, and event coverage, including press releases and photography.
8. Identify media opportunities to enhance the college's visibility regionally and statewide.
9. Manage the department budget responsibly.
10. Develop internal communication strategies for employees and students.
11. Support college initiatives through marketing and partnerships with external organizations.
12. Lead fundraising appeals for the SVCC Foundation, including donor growth strategies.
13. Assist with grant writing to secure funding for the college.
14. Participate in emergency response planning as part of the college leadership team.
15. Represent the college at external events and serve as liaison to the Virginia Community College System PR and Marketing office.
16. Perform additional duties as assigned by the Director of Institutional Advancement and the College President.

The candidate will promote student engagement, strategic recruitment, and retention, with an understanding of the mission of a rural community college and a commitment to student success.

Minimum Qualifications :

• Experience leading innovative projects to enhance branding and recruitment.
• Proficiency in project planning and implementation.
• Expertise in social media marketing, advertising, and analytics.
• Strong knowledge of marketing and branding principles.
• Ability to analyze data and evaluate ROI.
• Experience working with media outlets.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Teamwork ability.
• Work experience in development or fundraising offices.
• Professional and positive communication tone.
• Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or related field.
• At least 5 years of relevant work experience, including 2 years in a supervisory role.

Preferred Qualifications :

• Experience in a higher education environment.