Director, Advancement Marketing & Communications

Weekly Work Hours

Compensation Range

Salary Minimum

FLSA

Position Type

Position / Job Summary

The Director, Advancement Marketing & Communications will drive Dallas College Foundation's external communication strategies and initiatives. The Director will lead the Foundation's communications team in creating integrated campaigns that inspire and inform donors, alumni, and community members to support and engage with Dallas College Foundation.

As both a contributor and leader, they will increase the Foundation's audience and external presence through innovative communications strategies that boldly tell our story and put a spotlight on our impact. The ideal candidate will be a seasoned marketer and communicator with experience developing content and campaigns across digital and print. This position reports to the Senior Director, External Engagement & Impact, as part of the Foundation's External Engagement & Impact Team.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Communication Strategy: In partnership with the Senior Director, External Engagement & Impact, leverage brand strategy, key priorities, and best practices to form a cohesive, integrated marketing and communications strategy across owned and earned media, including a strategic messaging strategy. This includes developing social media, email marketing, and direct mail strategies and plans for a segmented audience of donors, alumni, and community members.

• Content Development: Develop compelling, human-centered, impact-driven content for owned and earned media in partnership with the Foundation's creative services team. This includes writing compelling copy and messaging for a variety of platforms.

• Media Relations: Work alongside the Foundation's communications agency to develop and maintain strong relationships with key local, regional, and national media, respond to media inquiries, prepare press releases, op-eds, and pitches, and prepare stakeholders for interviews and other media opportunities.

• Thought Leadership: Identify and support opportunities for executive and organizational thought leadership, including speaking opportunities, publishing, and white papers, and support leaders with speech writing, presentations, and talking points.

• Leadership: Develop and lead the Foundation communications team, including hiring, onboarding, and managing new team members, managing projects and campaigns, and providing strategic leadership and development.

• Agency Management: Manage the Foundation's relationship with its communications agency, including regular meetings, strategy development, deliverable tracking, and assessment.

• Data and Analytics: Track and analyze content and campaign performance, offering insights to inform strategy, and proactively integrate data tracking and data-driven decision making in all communications.

• Maintain the highest ethical standards and adherence to applicable rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

• Complete required Dallas College professional development training hours per academic year.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum and Preferred - Education, Experience, and/or Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field

• Five years of experience in marketing, communications, public relations, media relations, content creation, or other related fields

• Management experience and content creation experience preferred

• Demonstrated experience in strategic planning resource allocation, timeline management, project management, and personnel or agency supervision.

• Must have valid driver's license if traveling to off-site locations.

• Official transcripts, license and/or certification are required.

• Bilingual or multilingual preferred.

***Will be subject to a criminal background check. Some positions may be subject to a fingerprint check.***

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Incredible commitment to centering stakeholders and giving the audience an amazing, memorable experience that leaves them feeling valued and connected.

• Dedication to producing exceptional, uncompromising communications and materials, no matter the audience, no matter the budget, no matter the size.

• Commitment to continual growth, with the ability to thrive while pushing their perceived limits.

• Proven experience in developing cohesive, integrated communications strategies aligned with an organization's objectives and priorities.

• Experience developing communications campaigns utilizing social media, list email, direct mail, and print materials.

• Experience as a people manager with strong leadership and team management skills, including a track record of leading and developing high-performing communicators.

• Excellent writing, proofing, and storytelling skills

• Deep understanding of communications and media trends, principles, strategies, and tactics, with expertise in innovative messaging strategies to deploy an effective omni-channel approach.

• Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data, analyze market trends, and draw actionable insights.

• Demonstrated understanding of nonprofit, education, or fundraising communications and content strategies

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships at all levels including administration, staff, faculty, students and individuals from diverse backgrounds.

• Comfortable operating successfully in ambiguous situations.

• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple simultaneous projects, including leading and delegating projects to Dallas College Foundation's network of vendors, agencies, and contractors.

• Not required, but valued: Experience in Mailchimp or similar email platforms, experience with Raiser's Edge or similar CRMs, proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Adobe Express especially)

Competencies

Dallas College seeks to identify core and professional competencies for each role and level which helps define the level of expertise needed and desired to demonstrate success in the role.

• [Individual Contributor Competency 1] Accountable

• [People Leader Competency 1] Ensures Accountability

• [Individual Contributor Competency 2] Adaptable

• [People Leader Competency 2] Empowers Teams

• [Individual Contributor Competency 3] Solution Orented

• [People Leader Competency 3] Leads Strategically

• [Individual Contributor Competency 4] Collaborates

• [People Leader Competency 4] Ensures Cross-Functional Collaboration

• [Individual Contributor Competency 5] Communicates Effectively

• [People Leader Competency 5] Communicates Effectively

Work Condition Environment / Physical Requirements

Normal physical job functions are performed within a standard office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with physical challenges to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.