Associate Director, Communications & Strategic Partnerships

Loyola Marymount University•New York, NY

About The Position

Reporting to the Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships and ultimately to the Associate Vice Provost for Career and Professional Development, the Associate Director for Communications and Strategic Partnerships will lead the department’s brand, communications, and marketing strategy while collaborating with the Senior Director aligning and advancing partnership priorities. This role shapes the department’s narrative by establishing a cross-functional framework that aligns partners around shared career initiatives including internships, micro-internships, and experiential learning opportunities in addition to increasing awareness and participation of career courses, services, and programs. The position collaborates with the Enrollment Management MarComm team, school/college Communications Managers, and other colleagues to ensure aligned messaging. The Associate Director manages the department’s Career Trek program by developing strategy, engaging relevant stakeholders, overseeing logistics, and collaborating with CPD and cross-campus partners. This position will supervise the Events and Promotions Coordinator and related student staff. Position Specific Responsibilities/Accountabilities Strategic Partnerships Partner with Employer Relations team to enhance employer engagement across programs, including fairs, panels, and workshops, and support streamlined communication processes. Develop a cohesive strategy and communication system that clearly conveys our value proposition throughout LMU. Partner with relevant colleagues on telling the CPD story. Lead the Career Trek program, including long-term planning, industry and city selection, employer and alumni outreach, school/college faculty engagement, site visit logistics, and collaboration with Alumni and Family Engagement on the student-alumni networking mixer. Mentor and train student staff to support Treks and event logistics. Oversee communications for employer-focused events such as career fairs, information sessions, and related programming ensuring strong marketing and seamless logistical execution with the Events and Promotions Coordinator. Communications Establish CPD’s communications strategy, working closely with LMU’s MarComm department, managing our brand presence and outreach to students, alumni, and employers; oversee the development of CPD’s integrated email marketing communications, social media presence, and printed and digital materials. Supervise, coach, and evaluate the Event and Promotions Coordinator. Train, mentor, and guide them in developing CPD branded promotional content, including digital and print resources including careers.lmu.edu. Provide strategic oversight and guidance on CPD event production elements and program calendar oversight. Establish policies, procedures, and goals for department communications and event promotion in collaboration with Associate Vice Provost, Senior Director and Event and Promotions Coordinator; develop best practices for event management in Smartsheet and develop and oversee CPD’s annual events calendar. Collaborate with the Director of Employer Engagement and Employer Relations workgroup on elevating the promotion of employer-related events, communications, and strategic outreach. Write press releases, blogs, social posts and reports highlighting department wins, student success stories, alumni profiles, event impact, and other data to track, assess and share. Collaborate with the Director of Career Education & Outcomes on developing career readiness resources and coaching tools for the department; support the ongoing vision and maintenance of the CPD website: careers.lmu.edu. Oversee the department’s marketing and event budget including tracking and reporting alongside Senior Operations Coordinator and Director of Career Education & Outcomes. Work with Enrollment Management and Student Affairs colleagues in coordinating CPD representation at programs, creating presentations for internal and external stakeholders, designing and reviewing communications and marketing collateral, and tabling materials. Performs other duties as assigned. Additional Responsibilities Represent LMU and contribute to the career services community through professional associations and partnerships with employers, alumni, parents, and other stakeholders. Support Enrollment Management and CPD by participating in university-wide initiatives, committees, orientations, family weekend, and retreats. Stay current on higher education, career services, marketing, communications, and hiring trends through Handshake training(s) and conferences such as NACE and MPACE. Loyola Marymount University Expectations Exhibit behavior that supports the mission, vision, and values of the university. Communicate and employ interpersonal actions that model high standards of professional, responsible, accountable, and ethical conduct. Demonstrate a commitment to outstanding customer service.

Requirements

Typically a Master’s degree or equivalent professional experience. Incumbent will be expected to continue upgrading knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to keep abreast of regulation/policy changes.
Minimum of five years of related job experience.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with faculty, administrators, staff, and employers.
Proficiency in MS Office, Canva, and familiarity with platforms such as LinkedIn, Meta, and Smartsheet.
Proven experience in event planning and production.
Prior experience supervising, training or managing professional staff.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with meticulous attention to detail.
Organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and meet competing deadlines.
Strong relationship-building skills with a commitment to delivering customized, quality service.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Handshake and EMMA platforms is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Partner with Employer Relations team to enhance employer engagement across programs, including fairs, panels, and workshops, and support streamlined communication processes.
Develop a cohesive strategy and communication system that clearly conveys our value proposition throughout LMU.
Partner with relevant colleagues on telling the CPD story.
Lead the Career Trek program, including long-term planning, industry and city selection, employer and alumni outreach, school/college faculty engagement, site visit logistics, and collaboration with Alumni and Family Engagement on the student-alumni networking mixer.
Mentor and train student staff to support Treks and event logistics.
Oversee communications for employer-focused events such as career fairs, information sessions, and related programming ensuring strong marketing and seamless logistical execution with the Events and Promotions Coordinator.
Establish CPD’s communications strategy, working closely with LMU’s MarComm department, managing our brand presence and outreach to students, alumni, and employers; oversee the development of CPD’s integrated email marketing communications, social media presence, and printed and digital materials.
Supervise, coach, and evaluate the Event and Promotions Coordinator.
Train, mentor, and guide them in developing CPD branded promotional content, including digital and print resources including careers.lmu.edu.
Provide strategic oversight and guidance on CPD event production elements and program calendar oversight.
Establish policies, procedures, and goals for department communications and event promotion in collaboration with Associate Vice Provost, Senior Director and Event and Promotions Coordinator; develop best practices for event management in Smartsheet and develop and oversee CPD’s annual events calendar.
Collaborate with the Director of Employer Engagement and Employer Relations workgroup on elevating the promotion of employer-related events, communications, and strategic outreach.
Write press releases, blogs, social posts and reports highlighting department wins, student success stories, alumni profiles, event impact, and other data to track, assess and share.
Collaborate with the Director of Career Education & Outcomes on developing career readiness resources and coaching tools for the department; support the ongoing vision and maintenance of the CPD website: careers.lmu.edu.
Oversee the department’s marketing and event budget including tracking and reporting alongside Senior Operations Coordinator and Director of Career Education & Outcomes.
Work with Enrollment Management and Student Affairs colleagues in coordinating CPD representation at programs, creating presentations for internal and external stakeholders, designing and reviewing communications and marketing collateral, and tabling materials.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Represent LMU and contribute to the career services community through professional associations and partnerships with employers, alumni, parents, and other stakeholders.
Support Enrollment Management and CPD by participating in university-wide initiatives, committees, orientations, family weekend, and retreats.
Stay current on higher education, career services, marketing, communications, and hiring trends through Handshake training(s) and conferences such as NACE and MPACE.