Director of Communications – Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice

Posted by Temple University on December 18, 2018

The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice launched in September 2018 in the College of Education at Temple University. It is an action research center focused on rethinking and restructuring higher education and social policies, practices, and resources to create opportunities for all students to complete college degrees.

The Director of Communications (“Director”) will ensure that the Hope Center is viewed as the primary source, disseminator, and conduit of information on the topics it studies for its diverse constituent base. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Director of Communications will work closely with the Directors of Research, Operations, and Community Engagement and Research Applications as the communications partner on a variety of strategic initiatives.

The Director will oversee a team focused on the generation of all Center communication materials, such as brochures, website, social media accounts, e-mail blasts, letters, and memos that engage audience segments and lead to measurable action. The Director will work with the Center’s key stakeholders to develop a strategic communications plan for the Center, and act as a liaison between the Center, the College of Education, University Strategic Marketing, and external sources regarding marketing, advertising, and communication materials.

Additionally, the Director will manage media contacts and responses, build external relationships with the media and other organizations, prepare employees for presentations and media interactions, and represent the Hope Center at speaking engagements.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications or related field preferred, and at least five (5) years of progressively responsible administrative and management experience that includes developing and implementing strategic marketing and communications plans. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Preferred:

• Master’s degree

Required Skills and Abilities:

• Strong leadership skills and ability to produce results through planning and adjustment of strategies
• A high level of initiative, effort, and commitment to inclusion and social justice
• Ability to design, implement, and manage new communications strategies, policies, and processes
• Sincere commitment to work collaboratively with all constituent groups, including staff, board members, volunteers, donors, program participants, and other supporters
• Must have ability to synthesize data, extract insight, develop recommendations, and present findings to Executive Director
• Strong supervisory skills and ability to train, develop, provide feedback to and manage performance of staff
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to effectively convene small and large groups, facilitate partnerships, and work both internally and externally with diverse constituents across multiple organizations
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, in one-on-one and group settings, along with demonstrated ability to work with the media
• Leadership initiative, a positive attitude, concern for people and community, presence, self-confidence, and common sense
• Ability to prioritize, multi-task, and meet deadlines to conceptualize new solutions to problems
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, handle confidential matters with discretion, and develop a broad knowledge of the Hope Center’s programs, practices, policies, and procedures
• Ability to manage a budget
• Comfort with technology, including task management software, for collaboration
• A strong track record as an implementer who thrives on managing a variety of key initiatives concurrently
• High energy, maturity, and leadership with the ability to serve as a unifying force and to position communications discussions at both the strategic and tactical levels
• Self-starter, able to work independently, and entrepreneurial; enjoys creating and implementing new initiatives
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, search engine optimization, and social media platforms
• Ability to manage development of materials for print and other media
• Experience creating and/or leading communications activities related to education
• Experience working in a university-based research center

Read more and apply: https://hope4college.com/join-our-team/