Executive Director of Public Relations and Institutional Communications

Macomb Community College; Michigan; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Macomb Community College seeks a seasoned Strategic Communications Leader to guide institutional communications and community engagement. You will serve as a senior advisor to the President, executive leadership and Board, shaping a clear, credible institutional voice.

This role leads media relations, crisis and change communications, internal communications, stakeholder relations and governance, supervising staff and budgets while collaborating with Marketing and Legal to protect the College’s

Qualifications

• Seven years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications or related field.
• Leadership or supervisory experience in a complex, high-visibility organization.
• Experience advising senior executives and serving as a spokesperson.

Responsibilities

• Develops and leads an integrated institutional communications strategy.
• Advises the President, executive leadership and Board on communications matters.
• Leads media relations, issues monitoring and reputation management.
• Oversees crisis and emergency communications and response protocols.
• Guides internal and student communications and community engagement.
• Manages organizational governance, budgets and vendor relationships.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Media relations

Crisis communications

Stakeholder relations

Internal communications

Executive communications

Change management

Communication governance

Education

Bachelor's degree in public relations/communications/journalism

Master’s degree (preferred)

Job description

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 internal and external engagement, protect the College’s reputation and ensure that Macomb Community College communicates with a clear, credible and consistent institutional voice.

• Strategic Communications Leadership.Develops and leads an integrated institutional communications strategy aligned with the College’s mission, strategic priorities and commitment to student success. Establishes College-wide communication priorities, standards, protocols and measures of effectiveness.
• Executive and Board Communications.Serves as a senior communications advisor to the President, executive leadership and Board of Trustees. Anticipates communication needs and directs the development of speeches, presentations, correspondence, statements, talking points and other high-level communications involving complex, sensitive or highly visible matters.
• Media Relations and Institutional Reputation.Serves as a primary College spokesperson and leads proactive and responsive media relations, issues monitoring and reputation management. Builds productive media relationships and prepares College leaders and subject-matter experts for interviews. Develops and leads institutional storytelling that showcases student, alumni, and employee success, demonstrates the College’s impact and strengthens its reputation in education, workforce development and community advancement.
• Crisis and Emergency Communications.Leads the communications component of crisis, emergency and high-risk institutional matters in coordination with College leadership and appropriate departments. Maintains crisis-response protocols, approval and escalation procedures, backup spokesperson coverage, and communication templates and contact lists, that support timely, accurate and coordinated responses.
• Change Management Communications. Develops and leads communication strategies supporting significant institutional initiatives, organizational changes and leadership decisions. Advises College leadership on communication approaches that explain the purpose and impact of changes, anticipate stakeholder questions and concerns, provide opportunities for feedback and support successful implementation.
• Internal and Student Communications. Leads College-wide internal communications and communications that support employee engagement, connect employees with institutional priorities and strengthen communication between leadership and the College community. Coordinates with Student Services, Marketing and other responsible departments to ensure students receive clear, timely and accessible communications about significant College developments, institutional changes and matters affecting their College experience. Provides editorial leadership and content governance for institutional channels.
• Community and Stakeholder Relations.Develops and maintains strategic relationships with community leaders, public officials, business and civic organizations and other constituencies important to the College. Oversees stakeholder relationship information, institutional sponsorships, community-facing communications and communication strategies supporting public-funding initiatives.
• College-Wide Coordination and Communications Governance.Works collaboratively with Marketing and departments across the College to ensure coordinated messaging and a consistent institutional voice. Provides guidance, training and resources to College communicators and leaders and promotes communications that are accurate, accessible, inclusive, legally appropriate and responsive to audience needs. Coordinates with Legal Counsel and responsible offices on public records, privacy, regulatory requirements and legally sensitive matters.
• Organizational Leadership and Accountability.Leads, develops and evaluates assigned staff and manages departmental budgets, consultants, agencies and vendors. Establishes goals and performance measures, uses research and analytics to assess effectiveness and continually improves the College’s communications practices and capabilities

Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, public affairs or a related field required. Master’s degree and professional accreditation preferred. An equivalent combination of education and directly related experience may be considered consistent with College policy.

A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public relations, media relations, executive communications or a related field, including at least three years of successful leadership or supervisory experience. Experience advising senior executives, serving as a spokesperson and leading crisis or issues communications is required. Experience in higher education, government, the public sector or another complex, highly visible organization is preferred.