JOB TITLE:  COLLEGE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS                  DEPARTMENT: MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS

SALARY RANGE: $70,000 - $80,000                                              FLSA: EXEMPT

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:  Chief Marketing and Communications Officer

SCHEDULE DETAILS:  Full-time/12-month position/PSRS

Position Summary

The College Director of Communications serves as a college communications leader, overseeing efforts for locating, crafting and sharing stories of college success; providing supervision to employees responsible for social media planning/content; managing media relations; general oversight and approval of all mass communication to college stakeholders; and assisting with crisis communication and executive communication.

The primary focus of this position is storytelling: finding the most compelling ways to share stories of the college’s students, employees, and alumni - content which is used for various publications and platforms designed for a variety of audiences. The broad scope of the position is designed to enable this leader to see and influence communications to nearly all stakeholder groups to ensure the college is consistent with brand voice, tone, messaging, and cadence.

Essential Job Duties

• Collaborates with colleagues across the college system to locate, develop (in written, video, and audio formats), and share stories that best communicate OTC’s brand and strategic priorities.
• Serves as the primary day-to-day contact for media representatives, providing reporters/editors with information for stories, pitching ideas to increase positive earned media, and occasionally serving as a spokesperson for the college and/or identifying and preparing other college leaders for media interviews.
• Writes, edits, and distributes news releases and media advisories about OTC events, accomplishments, and priorities. Maintains a regularly updated distribution list of media contacts from across the region (and beyond) to communicate OTC’s news and accomplishments.
• Supervises employees responsible for social media planning and content creation. Previews social media posts to ensure quality and accuracy and provides daily management of those efforts.
• Partners with the Chief Marketing and Communications officer to craft official messaging and executive communication; fulfills communication needs as part of the college’s integrated marketing and communication strategy and provides leadership to other writers in Marketing and Communications.
• With brand voice and college priorities in mind, works frequently with academic division and department leaders to produce regular stories that illuminate OTC’s impact.
• Manages the nominations of college leadership and employees for various community awards. Leads a committee of colleagues to stay abreast of awards opportunities, recommends potential nominees for such awards, and prepares and submits nomination materials.
• Develops and maintains a master communications calendar to provide high-level coordination around OTC’s various messages.
• Develops content and provides communication direction for internal newsletters to employees and students; works with the Creative/Marketing team on the development of “Around the College,” a video series that provides college updates to key stakeholders.
• Partners with the college’s video producer to develop regular video stories that feature students, faculty, and alumni/supporters. Manages the college’s YouTube presence, leveraging the platform by creating and posting content to best promote the institution.
• Monitors media mentions of OTC and prepares regular updates for administration.
• Collaborates with the Creative/Marketing team to provide backup support for the development of creative copy for marketing materials for a variety of audiences.
• Collaborates with the Web Services team to provide backup support for website content.
• Exhibits exemplary attendance and punctuality; complies with college policies and procedures.

Non-Essential Job Duties

• Remains competent and current in the field through professional development courses and training.
• Attends college functions and provides support at events.
• Represents the college in the community when requested.
• Serves as a member of college committees as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Bachelor’s Degree in a related field from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning. Preferred degree areas include communications, marketing, English, etc.
• At least two years of professional leadership experience.
• Five years of professional experience in communications, marketing, and/or public relations.
• Experience working with members of the media including reporters, editors, photojournalists, etc. A strong understanding of their priorities and deadlines and the ability to effectively convey those needs to campus stakeholders.
• Strong organization and time-management skills.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to use computer software for projects (such as Microsoft Office Suite).
• Ability to work independently, think critically, and collaborate effectively.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• A master’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or another related discipline.
• Experience working within a collegiate setting.
• Experience with an email management system, content management system (CMS), customer relationship management (CRM) system, and a project management system.

Working at Ozarks Technical Community College Provides Great Benefits

• Medical insurance coverage for employees through the CoxHealth network at no cost to employees.
• Dental, LTD and group life insurance coverage for employees at no cost to employees.
• Access to the on-site OTC Health and Wellness Clinic at no cost for employees and their dependents.
• Use of the OTC fitness center at no cost to employees.
• Twelve (12) tuition free college credit hours per fall and/or spring semester and six (6) college credit hours per summer term for employees and/or their dependents.
• College matches the employee PSRS/PEERS retirement at 14.5% or 6.86%

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk; use hands to finger/touch, handle, or feel; and talk or hear.  The employee must be able to move around and about their area, and operate a computer as needed.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision. 

***OZARKS TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY, INTERPRET, OR APPLY THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN ANY WAY THE COMPANY DESIRES.  THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN NO WAY IMPLIES THAT THESE ARE THE ONLY DUTIES, INCLUDING ESSENTIAL DUTIES, TO BE PERFORMED BY THE EMPLOYEE OCCUPYING THIS POSITION.  THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE.  THE EMPLOYOMENT RELATIONSHIP REMAINS “AT-WILL.”  THE AFOREMENTIONED JOB REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE QUALIFIED DISABLED INDIVIDUALS.

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