Director of Communications, Marketing & Events - Communications Specialist 3

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities • Austin, TX

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the Vice President of Advancement, Communications, and External Relations, the Director of Communications, Marketing & Events provides leadership and operational direction for Riverland Community College’s marketing, branding, communications, and events functions. This position manages the implementation and execution of the Comprehensive Marketing Plan, integrates efforts across departments, and ensures all messaging aligns with the college’s brand, mission and vision. The Director is responsible for institutional, program-specific, alumni, and internal/external communications, while actively supporting student recruitment and retention initiatives. As the college’s key communicator and a vital member of the crisis response team, this role serves as the primary contact for emergency and severe weather communication, emergency planning, and messaging, as well as provides leadership for public-facing messaging at the institutional level, including media relations activities. The Director of Communications, Marketing & Events works collaboratively with the marketing team to operationalize the marketing, branding and communication strategy across web, digital media, design, video, PR, and event functions. This position is responsible for managing key college events and has direct responsibility for media relations, sponsorships, branding, communication policy development, and data/information requests. The Director helps develop content, advises faculty and staff on marketing strategy, and provides high-level messaging guidance for public, media, and governmental communications at the campus, system, and community levels. This position operates with institutional strategy, priorities, and standards established by the Vice President of Advancement, Communications, and External Relations.

Requirements

• Minimum of three (3) years work experience OR a bachelor’s degree and two (2) years work experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• A master's degree may substitute for 18-months of experience; a bachelor's degree may substitute for 12 months of experience; and an associate's degree may substitute for 6-months of experience.
• The degree must be within any of the following disciplines: communications, journalism, marketing or public relations or related.
• Demonstrated experience in managing a comprehensive marketing and communication plan for a large institution or organization.
• Demonstrated event management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in written and oral communication.
• Technical knowledge in writing/editing, photography/videography, graphic design, website content management, social media platforms, marketing, and project management.
• Experience with crisis management and drafting and communicating public relation statements.
• Completing employment references and a driver’s license background check.
• Conform to Minnesota State’s Vehicle use criteria and consent to Motor Vehicle Records check.
• Legally authorized to work in the US.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in communications, journalism, marketing or public relations or related.
• 10+ years of professional experience in marketing, public relations, or similar field.
• Extensive experience in developing and implementing marketing plans, public relations, special events, graphic design, social media management, photography, videography, and printing, with demonstrated people skills and expertise in planning, writing, editing, designing, production methods, media relations, management, crisis media management, and organizational development.
• Experience with consumer marketing strategy, strategic advertising, and branding.
• Experience in higher education enrollment management.
• Understanding of the Minnesota State system (organization, leadership, culture).
• Bilingual/multilingual fluent in Spanish, Karen, Karenni, Somali, Pohnpeian, French, Nuer, Anuak, or other languages that reflect our student body, workforce, and communities.
• Demonstrated experience working with multicultural and underserved populations.

Responsibilities

• Develop, execute, and provide ongoing management of the comprehensive marketing and communication plan in alignment with institutional strategy and priorities.
• Participate in the development of an annual comprehensive marketing and communication plan that aligns with institutional priorities, mission and strategic plan.
• Provide leadership in the implementation of the plan and develop tools for tracking and management.
• Guide the planning and execution of marketing and communication campaigns across all channels including digital, print, design, video, and events.
• Ensure consistent use of brand voice, style, and identity across all internal and external channels.
• Establish KPI’s and use analytics tools to evaluate performance and produce regular reports for college leadership summarizing ROI, engagement, reach, and outcomes.
• Coordinate marketing for enrollment, retention, and program-specific campaigns in partnership with academic and student services teams.
• Participate as a member of the Strategic Enrollment Management Committee to create targeted strategies and campaigns.
• Provide leadership in the communication and evaluation of the college strategic plan.
• Work collaboratively with the Cabinet and other campus leaders tasked with leading key strategic initiatives.
• Develop and maintain public messaging and multi-media strategies that reflect the college’s impact, including the creation and sharing of stories that uplift student success, community partnerships, and alumni achievements.
• Advise college leadership, faculty, and staff on marketing and communications best practices.
• Facilitate regular strategy reviews and collaborate with cross-campus partners for feedback and alignment of the comprehensive marketing and communication plan.
• Lead the Art Committee to ensure that campus art and branding are reflective of Riverland’s brand, mission, vision, values, and heart.
• Manage marketing and communication department budget, policies, and activities, incorporating full-cycle project management of the marketing and communication function.
• Lead planning for all marketing and communication initiatives, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and timelines.
• Develop and manage a comprehensive marketing calendar that integrates key campaigns, deadlines, and deliverables across platforms.
• Define project objectives, success metrics, and resource requirements for marketing campaigns and initiatives.
• Utilize project management tools to assign tasks, track progress, and ensure on-time delivery.
• Facilitate regular cross-functional meetings and status updates to monitor project milestones, identify bottlenecks, and resolve issues proactively.
• Oversee marketing budget planning and tracking within a project-based framework to ensure efficient use of resources and adherence to financial targets.
• Establish and enforce standardized workflows, documentation practices, and policy compliance for marketing and communication activities.
• Coordinate risk management for marketing projects by identifying potential obstacles and implementing mitigation strategies.
• Monitor performance data and project outcomes to evaluate effectiveness and inform continuous improvement.
• Manage internal and external marketing teams (including vendors and contractors) as integrated project stakeholders.
• Ensure team adoption of project management best practices and foster a culture of accountability and collaboration.
• Coordinate and support campus events and community outreach events through collaboration with the Strategic Enrollment Committee, Advancement, Academics, and Student Affairs to impact student engagement, community engagement, and enrollment.
• Support the planning and promotion of large student events like: Welcome Week, Career Fairs, Open Houses, New Student Orientation, Athletic events, Academic Events, Theater events, Music Events, and Fine Art Events.
• Collaborate with the Registrar’s Office and manage all aspects of the graduation ceremony, including the graduation committee.
• Manage events coordinated through the system office such as bonding tours and government relations events.
• Support Advancement, Admissions, Alumni Affairs, Athletics, Theater, Music, James Wegner Art Gallery, Academic Affairs, and Student Affairs with marketing and communicating events.
• Assist with developing new college-sponsored events that promote Riverland to our key constituents.
• Lead the sponsorship subcommittee to choose community event sponsorships that align with Riverland’s mission and values.
• Attend meetings/events of community-based business and civic organizations as assigned by leadership.
• Provide and coordinate concierge services for all short-term, external facility rentals.
• Guide and coordinate all public communications, media relations, and emergency communications.
• Assist with the preparation of presentations, speeches, and related support materials for college leaders.
• Assist the President’s Cabinet or other internal stakeholders with technical assistance and development of communications plans or announcements.
• Provide design, editing and messaging expertise or feedback on departmental reports, webpages, training materials, policy documents, videos, and publications.
• Collaborate on the development of surveys or other feedback vehicles that support the college’s mission, vision, and values.
• Design and implement media guidelines and policies.
• Serve as the primary media contact working with local and national media to generate news stories.
• Develop press releases/advisories, tip sheets, key message documents, and fact sheets that promote the institution’s mission, programs, accomplishments, and activities.
• Be accessible and supportive to campus leadership and students by providing guidance when conducting media interviews.
• Serve as the campus Key Communicator contact with the Minnesota State Public Information Office.
• Serve as the college’s lead professional for media relations and emergency communications under delegated authority from the Vice President of Advancement, Communications, and External Relations.
• Serve as a key member of the college crisis response team.
• Handle confidential information that helps to lead, manage, communicate, and draft statements for the stakeholders, media, and communities served, and when applicable, state, or national level reporting.
• Serve as the primary contact for college severe weather communications response and emergency Alertus responses.
• Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the smooth functioning of the department and maintain the reputation of the organization(s) as a viable business partner.

Benefits

• Low-cost medical and dental insurance with affordable deductibles
• Employer-paid life insurance
• Short- and long-term disability
• Pre-tax healthcare and dependent care accounts with a roll-over option
• Confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, legal, and financial counseling
• 12 paid holidays
• Generous vacation and sick time
• Six weeks of Paid Parental Leave
• Pension Plan
• 457(b) and 403(b) retirement accounts
• Various investment options
• Dedicated professional development
• Tuition waivers for both you and your dependents

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director