Executive Director of College Relations, Communications and Marketing

Flathead Valley Community College•Kalispell, MT

About The Position

The Executive Director leads college relations, marketing and communications for Flathead Valley Community College (FVCC) and its affiliated brands, the Wachholz College Center (WCC) and Wachholz Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (WIEC). The position owns brand and marketing strategy across all three brands and ensures community relations, media relations, communications and marketing efforts are effective, consistent and aligned with the College’s mission, vision and purpose. The Executive Director leads the College Relations, Marketing and Communications department, overseeing website design and content, social media, paid and earned media, graphic design, photography, video and multimedia production. The role also serves on the College’s senior leadership team and reports to the President. The Executive Director develops and implements integrated marketing and communications plans, maintains brand standards and multi-year marketing plans, and leads marketing strategy for WCC. The role directs staff and shared creative resources, manages marketing and advertising budgets, and oversees website strategy, paid media, social media, multimedia, analytics and reporting. The Executive Director works with the President, senior leadership, WCC leadership, the FVCC Foundation and external partners; serves as a College spokesperson as appropriate; and manages crisis communications. The position also monitors community and industry issues, supports effective community relationships, and promotes continuous improvement and innovation. This is a full-time, 12-month, exempt, benefit-eligible position. The listed pay range is $100,000–$125,000, based on education and experience. The position may require non-traditional work schedules, including evenings and weekends, and is classified as Medium Duty, involving exertion of 20–50 pounds occasionally, 10–25 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds continuously to move objects.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in public relations, business/marketing, communications or a closely related field, plus at least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in public relations, communications, business and/or marketing; or a master’s degree in a related field plus at least three years of such experience.
Strong internal and external public relations and reputation management skills, with knowledge of current media practices and the local community’s social, business and economic climate.
Strong skills in current paid and unpaid digital marketing practices, including Google Ads, paid social and social media marketing.
Skills in full-stack marketing, including creating and managing brands across multiple brands, print production, and website strategy and content.
Knowledge of website content management, search engine optimization, web accessibility standards, and web and marketing analytics.
Knowledge of video and multimedia content strategy and production.
Ability to lead, develop and motivate staff and allocate shared resources across brands with competing priorities.
Strong time-management skills and ability to manage multiple projects with competing priorities.
Ability to analyze and use market research and institutional data to develop marketing and public relations plans, programs and objectives.
Ability to interpret, apply and explain College rules, regulations, policies and procedures, and to work within FVCC policies and procedures.
Ability and willingness to represent the College and interact appropriately with the community.
Demonstrated communication, presentation, customer service and interpersonal skills; ability to follow and issue directions.
Ability to work effectively with people from culturally diverse backgrounds and maintain effective professional relationships.
Ability to maintain regular and acceptable attendance, maintain a high level of confidentiality, pass a criminal background check and respond in an emergency.
Ability to work intermittently on non-traditional schedules, including evenings and weekends.
Ability to meet the Medium Duty physical demands: exert 20–50 pounds of force occasionally, 10–25 pounds frequently, and up to 10 pounds continuously to move objects.
Applicants must submit an online application, a letter of application addressing qualifications and relevant experience, a current comprehensive resume or CV, unofficial transcripts for all degrees held and applicable professional certifications, and three professional references. Official transcripts and applicable certifications are required upon hire.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree from an accredited institution in public relations, business/marketing, communications or a closely related field.
Experience in communications, marketing and public relations in a higher education setting.
Experience leading marketing for multiple brands, including live events, performing arts or venue programming.
Experience supervising a creative and digital marketing team.
Work experience with technology applications related to marketing and communications.

Responsibilities

Lead integrated marketing, communications and college relations for FVCC, WCC and WIEC across brand management, websites, publications, social media, multimedia, email, paid and earned media, and public relations.
Own overall brand and marketing strategy for FVCC, WCC and WIEC; establish and maintain brand standards, visual identity and messaging.
Develop strategic communications and marketing plans and guidelines, coordinating implementation with the President and senior leadership team.
Maintain a multi-year marketing plan that promotes the College’s mission and enhances the visibility and reputation of each brand.
Develop and execute continuous assessment and benchmarking of goals, programs and services.
Create and direct the comprehensive marketing strategy and plan for WCC; partner with the WCC Director on ticket sales, partnerships and facility rentals; direct the WCC Marketing Manager’s event and performance marketing.
Develop messaging for prospective and current students and families, WCC audiences and patrons, community and employer partners, alumni and donors.
Oversee the creation, approval and timely distribution of print and electronic marketing and public relations materials.
Lead, motivate and empower department staff; set service standards, team priorities and allocation of shared creative resources across brands.
Develop and manage marketing and advertising budgets across brands.
Lead FVCC and WIEC website strategy, including design, user experience, content and final copy approval; direct website structure, search engine optimization, analytics and accessibility through the Digital Marketing Website Manager; partner with Information Technology on hosting, security and technical infrastructure.
Set the vision and strategy for video, multimedia and digital design content; direct the Graphic Designer and Multimedia Specialist.
Lead paid media strategy, planning, placement and budget across search, social, digital display, streaming, broadcast and print advertising.
Oversee social media strategy, content standards, voice, engagement, platform priorities and publishing frequency across FVCC, WCC and WIEC.
Lead marketing data, metrics and reporting; direct use of web analytics, campaign performance and social engagement data to inform decisions and report results to the President and senior leadership.
Lead research and selection of marketing-related external services and vendors.
Write, edit and approve content for presentations, speeches, websites, newsletters, video scripts and correspondence; provide final review of content and designs before publication or printing.
Set strategy and provide final content approval for special projects, including the President’s Report, Viewbook and Continuing Education catalogs.
Support the FVCC Foundation with content creation, marketing and personnel assistance at Foundation events as needed.
Manage crisis communications and advise the President during crisis situations.
Oversee media relations and press activity for all brands and serve as a College spokesperson as appropriate.
Represent the College and foster relationships with colleagues, media, schools, community groups, government officials, businesses, industry and other external partners.
Monitor community, media and industry issues that could affect the College’s reputation or brands and advise the President and senior leadership on communications strategy and response.
Stay current on higher education marketing and communications trends and apply them to College strategy.
Direct photography and video coverage of campus, Foundation, WCC and WIEC events and special functions; maintain College archives, brand asset libraries and resource files.
Serve on internal and external boards and committees, attend related training and professional development, and contribute to College-related community activities.
Promote innovation and continuous service improvement; maintain collaborative working relationships, professional ethics and student confidentiality; perform other duties as assigned.