Description

The Director, Communications, Marketing and Outreach serves as the strategic leader for communications, marketing and CE departments and reports directly to the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. As a senior leader, this individual advises on college strategy and direction to deepen and broaden the campus’ role in thought leadership across North Carolina and within the academic, research and clinical ecosystem on a national and global scale.

The Director, Communications, Marketing and Outreach plans and implements communications, marketing and branding strategy, with a particular focus on visibility, promoting data-driven national and international ranking, student and faculty recruitment, and strategic programmatic growth. This role leads all internal and external communications for the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine including website management, storytelling, messaging, marketing, media relations, advertising/promotion, crisis management, video production and social media. In partnership with our Philanthropy Team, this individual leads Development fundraising communications strategy and tactical implementation and collaborates on the alumni engagement strategy to expand messaging focus on the impact of CVM alumni in communities around the country and world.

The Director, Communications, Marketing and Outreach will be responsible for developing and leading a centralized communications and marketing team and collaborate with constituents across campus to represent the strategic interests of the CVM to identify and foster new opportunities for collaborations with various constituencies including corporations and foundations, non-profit organizations, alumni, donors, state government, schools, and other key communities. This individual collaborates with academic and campus leadership and other campus-wide colleagues to create innovative opportunities and collaborations with industry partners, in support of the teaching, research, and academic mission. They also foster and manage community and government relations to create effective collaborations and engagements. The Director develops and manages enhanced communication strategy, messaging, and tactics for admissions, alumni, development, faculty scholarship, and employee recruitment.

Provides senior leadership and strategic direction to the college’s Continuing Education and Outreach Department that is charged with developing and implementing all CVM continuing education programs and public outreach efforts as well as oversees the college’s main reception area. This department generates revenue through delivery of medical continuing education programs available to internal and external participants. The department manages community events including the annual open house that brings approximately 30,000 visitors to the college and leads the annual North Carolina Veterinary Conference in coordination with the NC Veterinary Medical Association which is the largest state continuing education event in the southeast United states in veterinary medicine. The department also oversees the visitor program and alumni engagement/relations.

Strategic Planning Activities

• Lead Organizational Messaging: Develop key organizational messaging, media, and reports.
• Strategic Marketing Plan: Create and implement a comprehensive strategic marketing, communications, and outreach plan that aligns with the short and long-term goals of the College, its departments, and the Veterinary Hospital (VH).
• Positioning and Marketing Strategy: Establish strategic positioning and marketing strategies for CVM and VH leadership and other key stakeholders.
• Integrated Marketing Efforts: Design and implement communications, marketing, and outreach efforts across CVM and VH departments to ensure cohesive messaging, including print, web communications, marketing, and media relations.
• Leadership and Advising: Provide leadership and advice on marketing, communication, and brand identity to campus community members.
• Donor-Focused Materials: In conjunction with the Philanthropy Team, develop, and design print or media materials tailored to high-value donors, promoting the college and University.
• Media and Community Relations: Craft and disseminate the college’s position on high-profile issues, working closely with University Communications.
• Media Relations Management: Manage media relations and advise college leaders on public relations and emergency situations.
  Reputation Management: Develop and implement strategies to enhance the college’s ranking and regional reputation among peer institutions.

Communications and Marketing/Continuing Education/Outreach

• Communications Management: Oversee CVM, VH, and departmental communications and marketing efforts, supervising staff to maximize their talents and create a cohesive team.
• Representation and Liaison: Represent the College to various academic and non-academic units, serve as a liaison to customers, as well as local and state committees, as appropriate.
• Material Development: Oversee the development and management of all communication materials, including print, electronic, and web-based information.
• Online Content Generation: Lead the creation of engaging online content and determine dissemination strategies.
• University Alignment: Liaise with NC State’s University Communications Unit to ensure alignment with the University’s vision, mission, and goals.
• Content Review: Write, review, and critique correspondence, reports, presentations, and other communications.
• Vendor Management: Source and manage external communication and marketing service providers.
• Effectiveness Analysis: Analyze and provide metrics on the effectiveness of communication, marketing, and outreach plans, and design strategies for improvement in its efforts to promote its programs, offerings, and services and design strategies to make adjustments as needed
• Relationship Building: Enhance and maintain relationships within the University, local community, state and national media, and veterinary representatives.
• Brand Consistency: Develop and enforce brand consistency across all communications, including print, web, film, and other media.
• Supervision: Supervise writer/editor, web support, and hospital communication/marketing positions.

Project Management

• Employee Management: Plan, prioritize, and manage the work of employees, providing strategic and tactical advice, guidance, and coaching.
• Performance Management: Establish performance standards, evaluate performance, and conduct formal reviews.
• Training and Development: Assess staff training needs and ensure necessary training is provided.
• Best Practices: Stay current with best practices in marketing, brand messaging, public relations, and web technologies, and apply this knowledge to strategic marketing efforts particularly in higher education and translate that knowledge into successful strategic marketing for the CVM & VH.
• Content Production: Manage the creation, design, editing, and production of print and web communications in collaboration with the communications team.
• Online Marketing Expertise: Utilize expertise in online marketing and advertising to produce tracking and web analytics reports, and provide metrics-based recommendations for the college and VH.
• Special Projects: Manage special communication projects for CVM.
• Collateral Management: Oversee the development, distribution, and coordination of all print and electronic collateral, including press releases, newsletters, videos, brochures, and websites.

Occasional Duties

• Media Training: Develop and lead media training and communication programs to reinforce effective messaging.
• Budget Management: Provide accurate project cost estimates, make fiscally responsible decisions, and work within allocated budgets.
• Professional Development: Enhance personal skills through continuous learning and professional development in marketing and communications.

For additional details and to apply, please see link below.

Requirements

• Prior experience leading, working in, or collaborating with a creative team, including but not limited to writers (news, publications, and online), web designers, graphic artists, photographers, and/or videographers.
• Demonstrated ability to successfully lead, manage, and supervise staff of varied talents, fostering an environment of teamwork and collaboration.
  Collaborative management and working style are essential as well as exceptional leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to articulate the role of marketing, communications, and strategic positioning to internal stakeholders.
• Ability to demonstrate professionalism and contribute to fostering a positive work/learning environment.
• Ability to demonstrate effective conflict resolution and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional interpersonal and verbal/written communication skills, ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, high level of dependability, excellence in problem solving, superior attention to detail, and ability to think strategically are required.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership, supervision, and guidance to an extensive constituency of service providers and users at all levels in the CVM & VHC.
• Ability to multi-task and work cooperatively with others as part of an effective communications team.
• Experience with Adobe Design Suite including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
• Experience with web technologies and social media strategies. (HTML, CSS, WordPress, etc.)
• Expected to bring forward-thinking and creative approach to using technology and a wide range of media to comprehensively address the communication and marketing needs of the college.