Strategic Brand & Communications Director

Talladega; Talladega (AL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Talladega College seeks an innovative Director of Communications and Marketing to lead its strategic communications, branding, and public relations efforts. Reporting to the VP for Institutional Advancement, the role directs marketing, media relations, digital strategy, and crisis communications to advance the College's reputation and enrollment goals.

This executive position requires vision, strong leadership, and the ability to collaborate with campus partners, alumni, and external

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field.
• Minimum five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, marketing, or brand management.
• Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory experience.
• Proven ability to develop comprehensive communications and marketing strategies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for communications, marketing, branding, and public relations.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive communications and marketing strategy aligned with institutional priorities.
• Strengthen the College’s brand with consistent messaging and storytelling across channels.
• Oversee media relations and serve as the College’s spokesperson when appropriate.
• Lead digital communications, website management, and analytics to measure impact.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and campus stakeholders to advance the College’s mission.

Skills

Strategic communications

Brand leadership

Media relations

Digital marketing

Crisis communications

Public relations

Team leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications/public relations/marketing

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

Director of Communications and Marketing

Type:

Type: Full Time

Contact Name:

Contact Name: Talladega College Office of Human Resources

Talladega College seeks an innovative, visionary, and strategic communications individual to

serve as its Director of Communications and Marketing. Reporting to the Vice President for

Institutional Advancement, the Director serves as the College's senior communications and

marketing leader and is responsible for advancing the institution's reputation, brand, visibility, and

strategic communications agenda.

The Director of Communications and Marketing provides executive leadership for all institutional

communications, marketing, media relations, branding, digital strategy, creative services, web

communications, and crisis communications. The Director of Communications and Marketing

develops and executes integrated communications and marketing strategies that support the

College's strategic priorities, enrollment growth, fundraising initiatives, alumni engagement,

corporate partnerships, and institutional advancement efforts.

Working closely with the President, senior leadership, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and

external stakeholders, the Director ensures a consistent institutional voice while enhancing

Talladega College's national visibility and reputation.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Communications and Brand Leadership

Provide strategic leadership for the College's communications, marketing, branding, and public relations functions.

Develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive institutional communications and marketing strategy aligned with the College's Strategic Plan and institutional priorities.

Strengthen and protect the College's brand by ensuring consistent messaging, visual identity, and institutional storytelling across all communications.

Develop measurable communications and marketing objectives and evaluate effectiveness through data, analytics, and return on investment (ROI).

Conduct market research and competitive analyses to strengthen institutional positioning and increase brand awareness.

Provide leadership for crisis communications planning and institutional reputation management.

Marketing, Media Relations, and Digital Communications

Direct the College's integrated marketing, advertising, public relations, publications, creative services, multimedia, and digital communications initiatives.

Oversee institutional media relations and serve as the College's official spokesperson, as appropriate.

Build and maintain productive relationships with local, regional, national, and higher education media.

Oversee the College website, digital communications, email marketing, social media strategy, and emerging communications technologies.

Utilize data analytics and industry best practices to enhance communications effectiveness, audience engagement, and institutional visibility.

Institutional Collaboration

Collaborate with executive leadership and campus stakeholders to develop strategic communications that advance the College's mission, institutional priorities, and reputation.

Support institutional initiatives through integrated communications, marketing, stakeholder engagement, and public outreach.

Foster collaborative relationships with faculty, staff, students, alumni, trustees, and external partners to strengthen institutional engagement and communications effectiveness.

Leadership and Administration

Provide strategic leadership, supervision, mentoring, and professional development for Communications and Marketing staff.

Develop departmental goals, budgets, operational plans, assessment reports, and performance measures.

Manage relationships with external agencies, consultants, photographers, videographers, advertising partners, and other communications vendors.

Ensure compliance with College brand standards, communications policies, and applicable laws, regulations, and accessibility requirements.

Serve on institutional committees and perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, English, strategic communications, or a related field.

Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, marketing, public relations, or brand management.

Minimum of five (5) years of supervisory and leadership experience.

Demonstrated experience developing comprehensive communications and marketing strategies.

Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.

Demonstrated success managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Master’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, higher education administration, business administration, or a related field.

Experience in higher education, nonprofit organizations, or public sector communications.

Experience supporting executive leadership and governing boards.

Experience with comprehensive fundraising campaigns, institutional advancement, enrollment marketing, or donor communications.

Knowledge of HBCU culture and higher education communications.

Experience in crisis communications and reputation management.

Experience managing websites, social media, digital marketing, analytics, SEO, and content management systems.

Experience supervising creative professionals and managing external marketing agencies.

Salary is competitive and commensurate with education, experience, and qualifications.

Application Process

Qualified applicants should submit:

Resume or Curriculum Vitae

Three Professional References

Copies of College Transcripts (official transcripts required upon hire)

Portfolio or examples of communications, marketing, branding, or media work (preferred)

Application materials should be submitted to: h [e-mail] . The packet consists of the TC application, cover letter, resume, listing of at least three (3) professional references, and copies of college transcripts. Official transcripts will be required if hired in the position.

An equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge is acquired may be considered.

TALLADEGA COLLEGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER