Senior Director, Communication and Public Relations

Broward College Foundation, Inc.; United States; In loco; USD 86.000 - 106.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

Broward College Foundation, Inc. in South Florida seeks a Senior Director of Communications & Public Relations to drive earned media, executive positioning, crisis communications, and strategic narratives.

Reporting to the Vice President of Strategic Communication and Marketing, this role leads news media strategies across local, state, and national outlets, serves as primary PIO, and guides cross-functional teams to amplify impact and thought leadership.

Competenze

• Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations or related field required; master’s preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of high-level experience in public relations or institutional communications.
• Experience in higher education communications or journalism background preferred.
• Strong managerial leadership and cross-functional collaboration.

Mansioni

• Develop integrated public relations strategies to elevate brand and narrative.
• Lead news media relations with local, state, and national outlets.
• Serve as primary Public Information Officer and crisis communications lead.
• Mentor and manage communications staff and oversee budgets.

Conoscenze

Public relations

News media relations

Strategic communications

Leadership

Formazione

Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Strategic Communications, Journalism, Communications, or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Descrizione del lavoro

Job Profile Summary

Broward College, located in sunny South Florida, is one of the largest state colleges in the country. With an enrollment of approximately 55,000 students supported by 4,000 employees, the College was rated as a best-in-state employer by Forbes and a top 10 community college by the Aspen Institute. Broward College is executing a strategic transformation to elevate its institutional reputation, strengthen community and economic development partnerships, and position the College as the premier destination for academic and workforce excellence. Reporting to the Vice President of Strategic Communication and Marketing, the Senior Director of Communications & Public Relations serves as a core strategic communications leader for the institution. This role drives earned news media relations, College website news, executive positioning, crisis communications, and key institutional narrative initiatives. The Senior Director leads news media strategies across local, state, and national journalists and press outlets, serves as a primary Public Information Officer (PIO), and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to amplify the College’s impact, achievements, and thought leadership.

Minimum Education & Experience

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Strategic Communications, Journalism, Communications, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.

Experience: Minimum 10 years of progressive, high-level experience in public relations, news media relations, or institutional communications, with a proven background in managerial leadership. (An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.)

Higher Education Requirement

Direct experience working within higher education communications or an extensive journalism/news media background specifically covering higher education, public policy, or academic sectors.

Preferred Qualifications

Regional Media Networks: Established relationships with South Florida, regional, and state education journalists, news editors, press outlets, and community leaders.

System & Governance Familiarity: Familiarity with or direct experience navigating the Florida College System (FCS), state higher education governance, public records practices, and Florida educational policy.

Essential Functions & Responsibilities

• Integrated Strategy & Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivates strong relationships across the broader institution—including executive leadership, Deans, faculty, Student Affairs, Admissions/Enrollment, xAdvancement, and external community partners. Mines stories campus-wide and collaborates across the Marketing & Communications team to maximize content value—evaluating channel mix by distinguishing earned news media pitching (PR/Comms) from paid performance marketing campaigns, social media, and enrollment drivers to support multi-departmental goals.


• Strategic Narrative & PR Execution: Serves as a proactive self-starter, designing and executing integrated public relations and external communication strategies that elevate Broward College's brand reputation and communicate its value proposition across South Florida and nationally.


• Executive Communications & Thought Leadership: Crafts executive-level communications for the Office of the President and senior administration, including speeches, op-eds, policy briefs, talking points, and legislative communication. Manages the College’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) program to position faculty and leadership in earned news media.


• Crisis Communications & Emergency Management: Serves as a primary Public Information Officer (PIO) and key member of the rapid-response crisis team. Maintains the Crisis Communications Plan, participates in BC ALERT exercises, and leads clear, rapid external press communications during incidents or high-stakes cycles.


• News Media Relations & Story Mining: Actively pitches stories to local, state, and national news media outlets (print, broadcast, digital journalists), highlighting workforce initiatives, academic achievements, student success, and institutional milestones. Responds to press inquiries and facilitates journalist interviews.


• Team Leadership & Operational Management: Directly manages, mentors, and empowers communications professionals and direct reports. Oversight departmental project workflows, news media tracking analytics, PR vendor contracts, and communications operational budgets.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proactive Relationship Building: Strong self-starter orientation with exceptional interpersonal skills and a proactive approach to relationship-building across multi-layered institutional organizations.


• Integrated Channel Thinking: Ability to think holistically across an integrated marketing and communications matrix, recognizing how narrative assets transition between earned news media, owned content channels, and paid media investments.


• Communication Mastery: Mastery of writing, editing, story-mining, and speechwriting for diverse internal and external audiences.


• Sector Knowledge: Working knowledge of higher education operational models, academic governance, and the nuances of the Florida education system.


• Crisis & High-Pressure Composure: Proven ability to operate calmly under pressure, managing crisis situations with sound judgment, speed, and discretion.


• Team Leadership: Demonstrated supervisory expertise with the ability to motivate, develop, and hold team members accountable.

Our Culture

At Broward College, our leaders embody a culture of competence, care, character, composure, and courage. We prioritize serving each other and our students through high-quality guidance, mutual respect, resilience, and fair, thoughtful decision-making, all while upholding the values of integrity, transparency, and honesty.

Broward College offers an exceptional benefits package

• Affordable High-Quality Healthcare Insurance (Medical, Dental & Vision)


• Retirement Options – Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension Plan or the FRS Investment Plan


• Wellness Program


• Vacation/Paid Time Off Winter and Spring Break Off


• Paid Parental Leave


• Tuition Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement are available to employees and family members

Job Title and Position Details

Job Title: Senior Director, Communication and Public Relations

Position Number: P0063622

Job Status: Full time Regular

Department: Strategic Communication and Marketing

Location: Willis Holcombe Center

Pay Grade: 212

Salary: $85,500 - $105,500 (Salary commensurate with education and experience)

Work Shift: Work Schedule Monday – Friday/Weekends/Varies

Hours Per Week: 37.5

Posting End Date: Open Until Filled

Additional Employment Information

Designated Essential Personnel: Yes

FLSA Status: Exempt

Position Classification: Administrators

Employment Requirements and Policies

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of the required background screening process. Broward College uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 Form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.

Broward College is an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourages applications from eligible veterans and spouses of veterans, underrepresented groups, including minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. The College does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation or any other legally protected classification.