Director of Marketing & Communications, Simon School

As a community, the University of Rochester is defined by a deep commitment to Meliora - Ever Better. Embedded in that ideal are the values we share: equity, leadership, integrity, openness, respect, and accountability. Together, we will set the highest standards for how we treat each other to ensure our community is welcoming to all and is a place where all can thrive.

Job Location (Full Address):

244 Hutchison Rd, Rochester, New York, United States of America, 14627

Opening:

Worker Subtype:

Regular

Time Type:

Full time

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

Department:

230723 Simon Grad Sch Operations

Work Shift:

UR - Day (United States of America)

Range:

UR URG 115

Compensation Range:

$96,860.00 - $145,290.00

Responsibilities:

Develops and executes high-quality, brand-consistent marketing and communications campaigns for the Simon Business School and related units. Evaluates new technologies, platforms and practices and stays abreast of industry trends to ensure effective marketing and communications. Manages a team to ensure consistency of message and promote goals, adhering to brand standards and guidelines within the University of Rochester.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Marketing

• Responsible for full funnel marketing strategies and a digital strategic plan, including website and social media presence, updates, and maintenance.
• Provides counsel and oversight to several Simon divisions for marketing campaigns, with a heavy emphasis on enrollment management, looking for collaborative and cost-saving opportunities.
• Responsible for brand consistency and awareness for the school and its role at the University enterprise.
• Oversees all print and digital materials produced on behalf of the school and its divisions.
• Follows University brand standards and guidelines.
• Supports and maintains standard operating procedures.
• Provides counsel and oversight for all individual units of school and ensures all print and digital materials are in compliance with University marketing and branding strategies.
• Manages data-driven dashboards and interprets insights to inform market strategies.
• Analyzes campaign performance and reports progress with central marketing.
• Lead vendor relationships with paid search and creative agencies.

Communications and External Relations

• Partners with Dean, other senior administrators, and selected faculty members to establish communications priorities for the school to support the strategic plan.
• Oversees the development and execution of comprehensive communications and marketing plans, including goals, objectives, and timelines.
• Develops and oversees individual communications and marketing plans for major programs, projects, and events of the school.
• Offers marketing and communications counsel to senior administrators and faculty on matters affecting the school’s image.
• Works closely with Dean and University Communications during events that require coordinated messaging.
• Supports effective response strategies, often in crisis situations requiring 24/7 attention and intense media/public scrutiny.
• Serves as school spokesperson for select media and outreach opportunities.
• Creates and executes effective communications plans.
• Oversees Public Relations efforts to creatively design and deliver media coverage on local, national, and international levels. Monitors the media for potential story opportunities, queries, and follow-up.
   

Content Development

• Works with staff to research and create compelling stories for internal and external channels.
• Identifies narratives that showcase leadership initiatives and key priorities, events, faculty, and student accomplishments, thought leadership pieces, research, and other work that advances school's reputation.
• Keeps informed of developments, media trends and publications practices.
• Collaborates with colleagues in University Communications to establish presence and inclusion in larger newscenter stories and profiles, ensuring students, faculty, and staff are represented in newsletters, digital content, and print media and collateral.
• Manages production of digital content and updates to existing content in collaboration with web Director, to maintain and update website and microsites.
• Drive content development for enrollment-driven strategies, including email drip campaigns.
• Produces multimedia content in collaboration with graphic designer, student interns, video producers, and photographers.
• Understands best practices of social media, photography, videography, and visual storytelling.
   

Management

• Represents communications in senior-level administrative groups at the University level and in local and national marketing, and higher education.
• Oversees school’s collection and development of news stories with assistance from Office of Communications staff. Maintains close, regular contact with the school’s academic departments and senior administrators to discover potentially newsworthy development.
• Supervises a team of staff who manage website content, media relations and social media, creative design, and editorial content.
• Selects and establishes relationships with outside consultants and vendors.
• Assigns projects, provides general policy guidance, reviews proposed programs, allocates resources, and evaluates effectiveness.
• Develops and manages communications and marketing budget and allocation of resources.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, media management or related field and 5 years of relevant experience required, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Strong record of progressive experience in modern communications, including evidence of strong writing and editing skills, interpersonal skills, presentation skills, and knowledge of marketing. Proficiency with content management and social media tools. A strong understanding of effective graphic design and branding principles. Understanding of website management as a marketing and communications tool. Ability to manage multiple and competing priorities in a dynamic environment required.
• Progressive knowledge in writing, editing, and marketing. Understanding of web-based technologies, including basic knowledge of HTML, design applications such as Photoshop and InDesign, and proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite of products. Ability to analyze, condense and synthesize information and ability to provide accurate analysis and summaries required.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, organizational, and management skills, as well as knowledge and experience with budgeting. Strong leadership skills, the ability to communicate effectively with multiple constituencies, proofreading skills, the ability to juggle diverse tasks, and to meet the overlapping deadlines of multiple, concurrent projects required.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving an inclusive and welcoming culture to advance the University’s Mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law (Protected Characteristics). This commitment extends to non-discrimination in the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates, for all persons consistent with our values and based on applicable law.