Marketing & Public Relations Specialist - Kimbrell Campus

Gaston College; Belmont (NC); On-site; USD 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plan

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Retirement Plan

Paid Holidays

Tuition Assistance

Employee Discounts

Job summary

Gaston College's Kimbrell Campus seeks a Marketing & Public Relations Specialist to lead marketing, branding, communications, public relations, and stakeholder engagement for textile technology initiatives.

Reporting to the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, you will manage media relations, campaigns, events, and partnerships to raise the campus visibility, enrollment, and industry collaboration across North Carolina and beyond.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in marketing, communications, public relations, business or related field.
• 3 years of progressive marketing/PR experience required.
• Strong writing, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive marketing, communications, branding, and public relations strategies.
• Strengthen and promote the campus brand regionally and nationally.
• Ensure consistent use of the college's visual identity and messaging across channels.
• Collaborate with admissions and partners to plan targeted campaigns.
• Lead media relations: press releases, newsletters, and feature stories.
• Coordinate marketing events and industry partnerships.
• Develop compelling content highlighting student success and industry impact.
• Create digital content: website, social media, emails, and publications.
• Promote programs in textile technology and related initiatives.
• Support outreach, sponsorships, and fundraising efforts.
• Monitor marketing performance and provide data-driven recommendations.
• Support grants and foundation communications.
• Maintain stakeholder databases and reporting.
• Represent Gaston College professionally in all engagements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Strong written communication

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Digital marketing

CRM experience

Education

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

Tools

CRM systems

Marketing analytics platforms

SEO

Job description

Salary $65,000.00 Annually
Job Type Full-Time Regular Staff
Job Number 2022-00764
Division Textile Technology Center
Department Textile Technology Center
Opening Date 10/13/2026

SUMMARY

Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, with a dotted-line reporting relationship to the Vice President - Kimbrell Campus, the Marketing & Public Relations Specialist leads strategic marketing, branding, communications, public relations, and stakeholder engagement efforts that support the visibility, reputation, enrollment, partnerships, and growth of Kimbrell Campus, including its academic, workforce development, industry training, testing, and innovation initiatives. The position promotes the campus as a leader in textile innovation, advanced manufacturing, workforce development, applied research, and industry engagement.

Open until filled-

Overview

As one of the nation's leading centers for textile innovation, testing, product development, workforce training, and education, Gaston Colleges Kimbrell Campus houses the Textile Technology Center, Fiber Innovation Center, and emerging FutureTex initiatives that serve manufacturers, retailers, entrepreneurs, students, workforce partners, and industry leaders throughout North Carolina and beyond. This position will strategically promote the campuss services, educational programs, partnerships, research and innovation initiatives, industry impact, and economic development contributions while strengthening relationships with key stakeholders across the textile, fiber, and advanced manufacturing sectors and supporting the growth and visibility of related initiatives

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Develop, implement, and continuously improve comprehensive marketing, communications, branding, and public relations strategies that support the mission, strategic priorities, educational programs, workforce training initiatives, laboratory testing services, product development capabilities, and industry partnerships of Kimbrell Campus.
2. Strengthen and promote the Kimbrell Campus brand in alignment with Gaston College standards by increasing awareness, visibility, and recognition of the campus, its programs, services, facilities, and partnerships at the regional, statewide, national, and international levels.
3. Ensure consistent use of the Colleges visual identity, voice, messaging, and editorial standards across print, digital, social media, advertising, signage, publications, and other communications.
4. Collaborate with admissions, workforce development, and other partners to plan, develop, and execute targeted marketing, recruitment and outreach campaigns designed to engage prospective students, industry partners, employers, manufacturers, entrepreneurs, workforce development organizations, and other key stakeholders with the goal of increasing enrollment, program participation, and awareness of the campus and our services.
5. Serve as the primary communications coordinator and manage media relations for Kimbrell Campus by building and maintaining productive relationships with media representatives, developing and distributing press releases, newsletters, feature stories, annual reports, media advisories, executive communications, promotional materials, and other internal and external communications. Support public relations, crisis communications, and reputation management efforts.
6. Collaborate with the Textile Technology Centers leadership and administrative team to coordinate and execute marketing, communications, promotional activities, and event logistics for industry partnerships, workforce training programs, certifications, conferences, workshops, trade shows, facility tours, open houses, special events, and other campus initiatives, including managing trade show booth reservations, setup planning and design, and promotional materials.
7. Develop compelling content and storytelling initiatives that highlight the campus's impact on student success, workforce development, product innovation, economic growth, community engagement, and the advancement of the textile and advanced manufacturing industries.
8. Create, manage, and maintain digital and multimedia communications, including website content, social media platforms, email communications, digital publications, presentations, photography, video, and other marketing and promotional materials.
9. Develop marketing, educational, recruitment, and technical communications materials that effectively communicate campus programs, services, technologies, facilities, resources, and career opportunities to industry, educational, and public audiences.
10. Promote the campus's academic, apprenticeship, workforce development, continuing education, and industry training programs, including the Associate in Applied Science in Textile Technology, Career and College Promise pathways, Textile Academy offerings, and other educational initiatives.
11. Support outreach, engagement, partnership, sponsorship, fundraising, business development, and collaborative initiatives by developing and maintaining relationships with industry leaders, manufacturers, government agencies and officials, economic development organizations, educational institutions, workforce development partners, advisory boards, clients, donors, and other stakeholders.
12. Collaborate with the Foundation and development team to support promotional efforts for grants, partnerships, donations, equipment acquisitions, major announcements, and recognition programs.
13. Monitor, analyze, and report on marketing performance, audience engagement, enrollment trends, campaign effectiveness, and other key metrics; conduct market research; maintain relevant stakeholder databases; and provide data-driven recommendations to support strategic decision-making and continuous improvement.
14. Provide marketing, communications, public relations, and stakeholder engagement support for initiatives, programs, partnerships, and special projects as deemed appropriate and strategically aligned with the goals, priorities, and objectives of Gaston College and the Kimbrell Campus.
15. Maintain a high standard of professionalism in representing the College, including confidentiality, adherence to college policies and procedures, professional accountability, effective collaboration with colleagues, and a commitment to exceptional customer service and stakeholder engagement.
16. Perform other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Business, or a related field required

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS

• Three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations, business development, or a related field required.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing marketing and communications initiatives required.
• Strong written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to develop compelling content, communicate technical information to diverse audiences, and build relationships with industry, educational, governmental, and media partners, are required.
• Experience managing digital marketing strategies, including websites, social media, email marketing, SEO, digital advertising, marketing analytics, and brand management, while effectively overseeing multiple projects and deadlines, is required.
• Strong organizational, project management, and customer service skills, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a dynamic and fast-paced environment, are required.
• Experience in higher education, workforce development, manufacturing, textiles, or related industries; proficiency with CRM and marketing analytics platforms; and experience supporting industry partnerships, grants, foundations, or economic development initiatives preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Primarily office-based with frequent travel throughout North Carolina for industry meetings, conferences, trade shows, and outreach activities, and requires the ability to sit and stand for extended periods.
• Occasional evening and weekend work for events and special programs.
• Requires attendance at industry conferences, educational events, and stakeholder meetings.
• Walking, standing, reaching, bending, and the ability to lift and maneuver items weighing up to 25 pounds are required.

BENEFITS

Gaston College provides a comprehensive, affordable insurance and benefits program. We are continuously investigating new benefit offerings that are responsive to the needs of our regular** employees.

• State Health Plan
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Additional Supplemental Insurances
• NC State Retirement Plan
• Supplemental Retirement Plans
• Disability Benefits, Long- and Short-Term
• Longevity Pay
• State Employees' Credit Union Eligibility
• Leave (Vacation, Sick, FMLA, Civil and Military, Child/Student Involvement, Education, and Voluntary Shared)
• Paid Holidays
• Educational Advancement Compensation
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Discount Program
• Benefits Overview Booklet

**Please note: Temporary (part-time) employees do not earn benefits.

Salary/Compensation: $65,000 per year