Summary
Description
Status: Exempt, Hybrid: Remote (3 days/week) and On Campus-(2 days/week), 37.5 hours per week
Summary of Responsibilities: The Marketing and Public Relations Director is responsible for developing and executing public relations and marketing campaigns to promote and bring national and international visibility to Iliff’s programs. This role drafts and edits internal and external communications across all communication channels including print and digital publications, web, social media, radio and television media. This position reports directly to the Chief Operations Officer and collaborates with senior leaders across Iliff. Currently this is a hybrid position, requiring Tuesdays and one additional day per week on campus.
This position supervises an Internal Communications Specialist and Content Marketing Manager in the Office of Media and Marketing. It also facilitates the development, synthesis, and advancement of brand identity and web design. In this role, responsibilities include initiating contact with and releasing information to the news media and responding to media inquiries on behalf of Iliff. The position is responsible for writing and editing periodical publications highlighting Iliff’s accomplishments for the purpose of building and sustaining relationships between Iliff and its friends, alumni, donors, faculty, staff, and students.
In this position, understanding higher education, theological education, the United Methodist Church, and Iliff’s unique community ethos and needs will be essential. The Marketing and Public Relations Director must be proficient at both fulfilling day-to-day promotional projects and developing long-term strategies, as well as inspiring and directing a team.
Application: Please submit a cover letter and resume to humanresources@iliff.edu. The position will remain open until filled.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement Iliff’s marketing strategy for earned media, paid media, shared media and owned collateral and media.
- Lead Iliff’s public relations activities by establishing positive contacts with the media and developing and maintaining effective methods of communicating about Iliff’s services and programs to the public through all channels including but not limited to print, website, and social media.
- Actively engage, cultivate, maintain, and manage media relationships to ensure coverage of Iliff events, programs, centers, institutes, and projects.
- Pitch specific Iliff stories, narratives, and experts to media for the purpose of advancing Iliff’s brand.
- Oversee advertising, marketing efforts, and social media presence, working closely with Iliff’s departments, centers and institutes.
- Develop and monitor institutional standards for communications, publications and media interactions.
- Direct the development, design, and maintenance of Iliff’s website in collaboration with IT staff and associated vendors when needed.
- Provide editorial oversight and content for Iliff publications.
- Act as primary liaison to media outlets both during ordinary and crisis periods.
- Oversee the day-to-day operations of the Office of Media and Marketing, including budgeting, planning, and staff supervision and development.
- Identify, manage, and maintain all creators and vendors related to marketing and communications.
- Assess the success of marketing initiatives with metrics-driven tracking and clear analysis.
- Other duties as assigned
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Skills/Knowledge/Experience
- Ability to exercise sound judgment in complex and high-stakes environments
- Ability to work effectively with individuals at various levels within the organization, to be agile in a deadline-driven environment, and to shift focus among competing priorities without sacrificing quality
- Experience with and appreciation for working with people from diverse backgrounds
- Comfort and confidence engaging with diverse populations
- Ability to narrate Iliff’s intersectional understanding of oppression and social justice
- Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions
- Three years of experience in publications, news media, or another closely related field
- Demonstrated understanding of marketing and communication theories and techniques
- Basic understanding of print, website and graphic design
- Demonstrated excellent writing and verbal communications skills
- Demonstrated overall skils in Marketing, Copywriting, Design, Creativity, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Google Analytics, and Customer Engagement
- Proficient in MS Office and WordPress and/or other Content Management Software
- Understanding of web publishing requirements (including the Americans with Disabilities Act)
- Ability to develop content that provokes engagement
- Ability to predict audience preferences with an editorial mindset
- Hands-on experience with SEO and web traffic metrics
- Adept at keyword placement and SEO best practices
Education:
BA/BS degree in public relations, marketing, communications, journalism, English or related field. A Master’s degree (MA) from an accredited graduate school is preferred.
Physical Demands:
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position for extended periods of time
- Must be able to input information into and retrieve information from a computer, communicate, and exchange information for extended periods of time
- Light physical activity performing non-strenuous daily activities of an administrative nature
- Ability to transport up to 15lbs
- Ability to independently travel, especially travel by car; must have a valid driver’s license
Work Environment:
Well-lighted, heated, and/or air-conditioned indoor office setting with adequate ventilation.
Benefits: Currently includes medical, dental, life and disability insurance, vacation, sick and holiday pay, and a tax-deferred annuity plan.
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The Iliff School of Theology is an equal opportunity employer and as such prohibits unlawful discrimination based on age 40 and over, race, sex, color, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, genetic information, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender expression, creed, pregnancy, marital status, veteran status, or other legally protected statuses. Every person is treated equally according to their qualifications, abilities, and experience in conducting all personnel actions and procedures including, but not limited to, recruitment, hiring, placement, training, discipline, transfer, promotion, benefits, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation, and all other terms and conditions of employment. For more information, visit us at www.iliff.edu.
Please submit a cover letter and resume to humanresources@iliff.edu. The position will remain open until filled.
