Associate Vice President of Communications and Community Relations

Title: Associate Vice President of Communications and Community Relations

Agency: Laurel Ridge Community College

Location: Frederick - 069

FLSA: Exempt

Hiring Range: The hiring range for this position is $110,895.00 – $162,531.00 per year, however, actual starting salary will commensurate with education and/or experience

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

Job Description:

Laurel Ridge Community College seeks an experienced and dynamic leader to serve as Associate Vice President (AVP) of Communications and Community Relations. The AVP of Communications and Community Relations provides strategic leadership for the college’s integrated marketing and communications efforts and serves as the senior communications strategist. The AVP for Communications and Community Relations develops and implements comprehensive strategies to enhance the college’s brand and visibility while supporting enrollment, philanthropy, recruitment, outreach, and institutional priorities. The position serves as the Public Information Officer for the college including during crisis management situations.

Reporting directly to the President, the AVP will build and maintain positive relationships with local, regional, state, and federal elected officials as well as community leaders. The AVP will be embedded in the community and will develop strategies that advance the College’s mission and goals. The position will work directly with the President and senior leadership team to develop communication and advocacy strategies for the college’s legislative agenda and funding priorities.

Department’s Areas of Responsibility

Public Relations and Communications

· Office serves as the primary media contact for the college and liaisons with news media, radio, and television

· Oversee content and development of college publications

· Ensure the regular development of news stories, articles, and social media posts

· Handle urgent communications needs

· Lead crisis communications planning and response in collaboration with college leadership

· Collaborate with college leadership to devise swift responses to unexpected events and issues

· Serve on the college’s Emergency Management Team

· Responsible for coordinating and developing campus and community messaging that effectively communicates the college’s value proposition and successes

· Oversee communication strategy with internal audiences via the college Intranet and other tools

· Integrates the value and impact of philanthropy into institutional messaging across all platforms, including the website, social media, newsletters, and press releases

Marketing and Brand Management

· Ensure consistency of college’s brand identity across all platforms and materials

· Responsible for enforcing college policies regarding brand and style guidelines

· Provide strategic direction for innovative marketing campaigns that supports the strategic enrollment management plan and college enrollment goals

· Responsible for the college’s photography, video, social/digital media, website design and content

· Ensure the development of an annual marketing plan that aligns with strategic enrollment and college strategic plan goals

College Outreach and Events

· Oversee the college outreach plan to support the strategic enrollment management plan and marketing plan goals

· Collaborate with academic and workforce units at the college to develop and plan outreach strategies and events

· Oversee college-wide events

Community and Government Relations

· Develop legislative and local government strategies to advance college’s funding priorities

· Build and maintain relationships with elected officials, local government leaders, and community leaders

· Oversee creation of communication and advocacy pieces as needed

College Leadership

· Provide public relations counsel and recommendations to senior leadership team

· Collaborate with and serve as a resource for senior leaders on communications-related strategies and initiatives, marketing, branding or related matters

· Foster positive collaborative relationships with campus and community constituents, and represent the college at various community events as needed

· Manage a team of high functioning marketing and communications professionals

· Responsible for budget oversight of unit

Work Schedule and Location: Typical schedule is Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm. However, the position is on call as needed to include occasional evenings and weekends. Please note: while this position is seated at the Middletown campus, the selected candidate will be expected to work at all college locations.

Compensation and Benefits

The hiring range for this position is $110,895.00 – $162,531.00 per year, however, actual starting salary will commensurate with education and/or experience. The position is an administrative role and as such is eligible for the benefits package offered by the Commonwealth of Virginia for state agencies and the Virginia Community College System. For more information, please visit https://www.dhrm.virginia.gov/ and https://www.vccs.edu/

Telework

According to DHRM policy 1.61 Teleworking, effective July 5, 2022, Virginia state employees will return to the workplace. Consistent with pre-pandemic policies, telework may be an option for certain eligible positions. Eligible positions are determined by the type of work and job requirements of the position, as defined by heads of agencies.

Click here to learn about Laurel Ridge Community College.

Laurel Ridge Community College is dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a diverse environment, and strongly encourages applications from women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Laurel Ridge will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in order to provide access to the application, interviewing, and selection process. Please email eeo@laurelridge.edu for further information.

Sponsorship of an employee's work authorization takes time and requires an ongoing financial investment. Therefore, Laurel Ridge Community College does not have funding to sponsor potential employees in the US on a work visa. We consistently follow this funding model to ensure our practices are not discriminatory. Exceptions would require approval from the college president.

Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. While honoring bona fide occupational exceptions as needed, the college shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions including lactation, age, status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. The college also promotes a safe working environment and prohibits sexual misconduct, including sexual violence and harassment. Know your rights!

• Master’s degree or equivalent education and experience
• Significant, progressive experience in marketing and/or communications or related field
• Progressive leadership role with direct supervision of a department or unit
• Demonstrated understanding of the higher education landscape
• Media relations, including building press relationships, serving as college spokesperson
• Digital communications, with strong understanding of social media strategy, SEO, and digital engagement
• Content strategy, including oversight of storytelling, videos, photography and web content to further institutional priorities
• Data and analytics, using data and metrics to inform and strengthen communication strategies

• Experience working in higher education marketing or communications
• Experience providing leadership to support both college enrollment goals and philanthropic initiatives
• Demonstrated experience with community or government relations