Communications and Marketing Specialist

Skagit Valley College•Mount Vernon, WA

8h•Onsite

About The Position

The Communications and Marketing Specialist is a member of Skagit Valley College’s Strategic Marketing and Communications team. Working closely with the Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications, the position helps advance the college’s institutional marketing, communications, and public relations efforts and strengthen its visibility, reputation, and engagement with students, employees, community members, and other audiences. The role supports college-wide marketing and advertising plans; develops and edits content across print, digital, web, and social media; and advises college departments and programs on marketing and communications. It also supports web content strategy, evaluates campaign performance and marketing opportunities, and helps ensure communications are accurate, accessible, audience-centered, and consistent with college brand standards. The position supports media relations by building relationships with local and regional media, pitching stories, preparing college representatives for interviews, monitoring coverage, and representing the college at events. It also assists with emergency and crisis communications, including serving as a backup Public Information Officer. The role calls for strategic thinking, strong writing and editing, project management, collaboration, analytical skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities and work with stakeholders across the college. The position works onsite at the Mount Vernon Campus and reports to the Executive Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications. It is a twelve-month, full-time position. The annual salary range is $60,000–$68,000, depending on experience.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in communications, journalism, marketing, or a closely related field, and/or equivalent work experience.
Three or more years of experience on a high-performance marketing and communications team focused on marketing or advertising communications and/or public relations and social media activities; alternatively, an equivalent combination of higher education and web development experience.
Knowledge of marketing, advertising, social media, and digital engagement trends and best practices.
Knowledge of AP Style.
Knowledge of scheduling, planning, and project management processes.
Knowledge of Section 508, WCAG 2.1 AA, and ADA requirements for accessible content.
Strong writing, editing, proofreading, analytical, and project management skills.
Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills.
Experience with online creative and design tools such as Photoshop and Canva.
Experience with web content strategy.
Experience with digital project management tools such as SmartSheet.
Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office programs such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
Knowledge of and experience using Snapchat, TikTok, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
Experience using Sprout Social or a similar social media management tool.
Experience with design software and applications, including Adobe Creative Suite and Canva.
Experience with analytics and measuring digital and social media engagement.
Ability to develop marketing and advertising content and strategies for an organization, business, or institution.
Ability to manage multiple tasks, organize work, adapt to changing priorities, and meet tight deadlines and high client expectations.
Understanding of and commitment to community college values, mission, equity, and a learning-centered climate.
Ability to work calmly and professionally under deadline or emergency conditions.
Ability to work occasional evenings and/or weekends and travel within the service area.
Demonstrated cultural competence in interactions with colleagues, students, administrators, and community members.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, think critically and creatively, and exercise independent judgment.
Strong leadership and interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Ability to pursue innovative marketing strategies and represent the college positively and professionally.

Nice To Haves

Experience in higher education, especially at a community college.
Bilingual ability in reading and writing Spanish.
Cultural competency training.
Ability to work and communicate effectively in a multicultural and diverse environment, including with people whose first language is not English.

Responsibilities

Develop, coordinate, and implement the annual college advertising, marketing, and communications plans with the Executive Director.
Assist with agency coordination, advertising placements, and campaign management.
Keep current with marketing trends and recommend new ways to promote the college.
Advise college stakeholders on targeted marketing for programs and audiences.
Use data to report campaign results and identify strategies for continuous improvement.
Collaborate on social media strategies and content, and contribute to integrated campaigns that follow college brand standards.
Write and develop feature stories, marketing collateral, blog posts, newsletters, press releases, website copy, executive quotes, speeches, broadcast scripts, and customer-service materials.
Serve on college committees supporting marketing, recruitment, and public relations.
Review, proofread, edit, and, as needed, rewrite materials for accuracy, clarity, effectiveness, and consistency with brand standards and the college’s voice.
Identify and write stories for internal and external publications.
Coordinate with communications and marketing staff, graphic design, digital content, and web development teams to scope and deliver projects across channels.
Guide and support web editors in improving department website content, including its accuracy, spelling, and grammar.
Work with web developers and the Executive Director to improve the college’s web presence from a content perspective.
Write and update key college webpages for current and prospective students and the community.
Cultivate relationships with local and regional media; identify media needs, develop relevant college stories, and pitch them.
Attend college events during and after working hours where media may be present, representing the college and serving as a liaison.
Monitor the college’s media presence, maintain a database of media mentions, and keep the media list current.
Prepare and advise college employees for media interviews.
Assist with emergency communications, serve as a backup Public Information Officer, and occasionally carry a 24/7 on-call cell phone.
Perform other duties as assigned.