District Director of Marketing & Strategic Communications

CCS Spokane • Spokane, WA

11d • Onsite

About The Position

The District Director of Marketing & Strategic Communications is a senior-level position reporting to the Chief Institutional Advancement and External Affairs Officer. The role executes Spokane Colleges’ marketing strategy, brand positioning, and strategic communications, ensuring consistent and effective messaging across channels. Working with college and district leadership, the director develops, implements, and measures integrated campaigns to promote the colleges and support enrollment. The position combines strategic planning with hands-on leadership of a marketing and communications team.

The director oversees marketing and communications content and channels, public relations and media outreach, brand standards, advertising campaigns, web content and design, vendor procurement and contracts, and campaign spending. The role leads the launch of a new Modern Campus content management system across external websites in 2027, and supports crisis communications in accordance with district protocols and Incident Command Structure. The director also guides a multidisciplinary team, conducts and applies market research and campaign analysis, and develops performance dashboards to inform decisions.

The position is performed in person in an office environment, requires local or regional travel, and may occasionally require evening or weekend work. It is an exempt, contracted management position. Criminal background checks are required, and the employee must be authorized to work in the United States. Spokane Colleges maintains a drug-free workplace and prohibits smoking in college buildings and state-owned vehicles.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in marketing, communications, public relations, business, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience demonstrating the required competencies.
• Four or more years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, brand management, and/or strategic communications.
• At least two to three years of supervisory or management experience leading staff, vendors, or cross-functional teams.
• Strong collaboration, conflict-resolution, and team-building skills.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement integrated strategic marketing and communications plans; manage media relations and public information; lead content creation across digital, print, web, social, media, and video platforms; analyze metrics; maintain brand standards and messaging; manage websites for strategic needs and user experience; communicate effectively verbally and in writing with diverse stakeholders; manage employees and committees; and manage budgets and contracts.
• Ability to work in and promote a multicultural work and education environment.
• Ability to provide acceptable documentation of U.S. citizenship or lawful authorization to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree or MBA.
• Professional certifications in public relations, marketing, communications, or digital strategy.
• Higher education experience.
• Experience with complex website migration projects and content management systems.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic advertising, media buying, and paid digital marketing.
• Strong working knowledge and experience with SEO, AI, and UX/UI.
• Crisis communication and crisis management experience, especially with Incident Command Structure.
• Experience with RFP and/or RFQ processes.
• Advertising or public relations agency experience.
• Proficiency in Associated Press (AP) style.

Responsibilities

• Execute integrated marketing communications campaigns aligned with institutional goals, mission, brand positioning, and enrollment objectives.
• Oversee content creation and distribution across print, web, social media, digital, and public relations channels for students, employees, and the community.
• Develop internal and external communications strategies to strengthen brand awareness, public image, and stakeholder trust.
• Lead public relations activities, including media outreach, media inquiries, news interviews, and news release preparation.
• Develop and oversee competitive RFP/RFQ processes and manage contracts with outside vendors.
• Lead the web content and design team and oversee external website user experience, including the 2027 launch of the Modern Campus CMS.
• Oversee brand strategy, positioning, messaging, and compliance with brand guidelines; revise guidelines as appropriate.
• Plan, execute, and measure integrated campaigns across paid advertising, digital marketing, social media, landing pages, and community engagement.
• Oversee advertising buys and contracts across digital, broadcast, print, and outdoor media.
• Manage marketing and communications expenditures, track costs, and ensure compliance with purchasing and marketing regulations.
• Build relationships with internal and external stakeholders and develop promotional strategies with college and program leadership.
• Work with the CIAEAO to manage crisis communications according to district emergency communications protocols and Incident Command Structure.
• Support and advance the Spokane Colleges Strategic Plan.
• Lead, manage, and develop a multidisciplinary marketing communications team; support professional development and retention and address performance expectations and issues.
• Comply with district policies, procedures, directives, regulations, statutes, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Conduct market research, identify trends and workforce needs, test messaging, and analyze campaign and audience data to refine strategy.
• Develop a KPI dashboard to demonstrate impact and inform campaign strategy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical insurance.
• Dental insurance.
• Life insurance.
• Long-term disability insurance.
• TIAA retirement plan or Washington State Department of Retirement Systems Pension Plan.
• Vacation leave accrual of 14.67 hours per month (22 days per year).
• Sick leave accrual of 8 hours per month.

What This Job Offers

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