Executive Director - Strategic Communications

Tennessee Board of Regents•Memphis, TN

104d•Onsite

About The Position

The Executive Director of Strategic Communications is the College's senior communications strategist, leading the development, implementation, and assessment of internal and external communications strategies that advance Southwest Tennessee Community College's mission, vision, strategic plan, and institutional priorities. The role is responsible for protecting and enhancing the College's reputation, strengthening stakeholder engagement, increasing institutional visibility, and supporting enrollment, workforce development, student success, community engagement, and fundraising objectives through communications and storytelling. Reporting to the Vice President of Advancement & Communications, the Executive Director advises the President, Vice President, and Executive Leadership Team. The role leads executive communications, media relations, crisis communications, public relations, institutional messaging, content strategy, and brand management, and coordinates integrated communications across college divisions and platforms. It also works to elevate the College's role in workforce development and strengthen community and governmental relationships across the Mid-South region.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, English, Higher Education Administration, or a related field.
At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public relations, media relations, marketing, public affairs, higher education communications, or a related field.
At least seven years of supervisory or leadership experience managing communications professionals, projects, budgets, or integrated communications initiatives.
Experience developing and executing comprehensive strategic communications plans.
Experience advising executive leadership and managing high-profile communications initiatives.
Experience in media relations, crisis communications, executive communications, reputation management, and integrated communications planning.
Strong understanding of communications analytics, performance measurement, and data-informed decision-making.
Exceptional verbal, written, presentation, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to serve as a spokesperson and institutional representative in highly visible and sensitive situations.
Strong leadership, organizational, project management, and decision-making skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment with professionalism and sound judgment.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, digital communications platforms, content management systems, and social media management tools.
Willingness to travel throughout the Mid-South region for meetings, events, media engagements, and community activities.
Ability to handle sensitive, confidential, and time-sensitive information.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, English, Higher Education Administration, or a related field.
Experience within higher education, workforce development, public sector, nonprofit organizations, or similarly complex institutions.
Strong existing relationships and connectivity with local and regional television, radio, print, podcast, and digital media outlets.
Demonstrated success in reputation management, strategic storytelling, and institutional brand development.
Experience supporting executive leadership, governing boards, or public officials.
Experience developing and implementing crisis communications plans.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement an annual strategic communications plan aligned with College priorities, enrollment goals, workforce development initiatives, and institutional advancement objectives.
Lead internal and external communications, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and alignment with institutional priorities.
Establish and monitor communications KPIs and metrics, and oversee annual communications reports and executive dashboards.
Advise the President, Vice President, Executive Leadership Team, and senior administrators on communications strategy, public messaging, reputation management, stakeholder engagement, and sensitive issues.
Develop executive speeches, presentations, talking points, correspondence, opinion editorials, video messaging, public remarks, and leadership communications.
Serve as the College's primary liaison to local, regional, and national media outlets; cultivate relationships with media professionals and community influencers.
Conduct proactive media outreach and develop media strategies that increase visibility, communicate institutional accomplishments, and enhance the College's reputation.
Oversee the College's public image, brand consistency, messaging standards, communications governance, and communication protocols; identify reputation opportunities and risks.
Lead integrated communications campaigns across print, digital, social media, radio, television, web, and emerging platforms.
Collaborate with academic and administrative divisions to identify and promote stories about student achievement, workforce development, community engagement, grants, partnerships, fundraising, and institutional success.
Develop strategic messaging, feature stories, press releases, publications, executive communications, and marketing content.
Coordinate media coverage and communications support for College events, initiatives, announcements, and community engagement activities.
Manage and supervise the communications team, including marketing, digital media, social media, graphic design, content creation, photography, videography, and related functions; provide coaching, mentorship, and professional development.
Establish team performance expectations, accountability measures, and workflow processes.
Lead crisis communications planning and response in coordination with executive leadership, public safety personnel, and other stakeholders; develop protocols, messaging frameworks, and emergency communications plans.
Collaborate with Institutional Advancement on fundraising campaigns, donor engagement, Foundation initiatives, sponsorship development, alumni engagement, and community partnerships.
Support governmental relations and public affairs through strategic messaging and stakeholder communications.
Develop and maintain relationships with community organizations, corporate partners, elected officials, workforce partners, and external stakeholders.
Perform other duties as assigned.