Posting Number:  H0125

Posting Date:  July 30, 2009     Closing Date:  Until Filled.

Application Procedure

Apply Online

What to include with your application:  In addition to a Harvey Mudd College employment application available at www.hmc.edu/employment, please submit a resume and a cover letter describing your qualifications. All required documents must be submitted with your application in order to be considered for this position.

Information about the position:  Salary is dependent upon qualifications with a minimum $8,750.00 per month. Usual working hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Requires occasional evening and weekend work. This is a full-time, 12-month, benefits-eligible, exempt position.

What the successful candidate will do: The Senior Director of Advancement - Communications is responsible for advancing the College's mission and strategic vision through the design, development and implementation of strategic communications that inform, educate and gain support for the College. This position serves as the College's public relations advocate and primary spokesperson.  The Senior Director is charged with building and maintaining positive relationships with internal and external constituencies; managing the day-to-day activities of the communications unit, including oversight for print, digital, web, and other ongoing and special production projects; developing strong professional relationships and seeking out partnerships with print, electronic and broadcast media outlets (local, national, and international) to promote the College amongst targeted constituencies; overseeing the development of stories for media from the College; developing and using all public relations tools, such as press releases, media placements and website communications; advising the President and President's Cabinet on marketing and public relations issues and strategies; and helping to coordinate the interdepartmental efforts of the Office of College Advancement.

The Senior Director of Advancement - Communications reports directly to the Vice President for College Advancement.  By working independently, but in close coordination with the Vice President, the two other Senior Directors for College Advancement, and the President's Office, the Senior Director of Advancement - Communications will significantly augment the College's overall communications efforts and capabilities, and help ensure a successful future fundraising campaign. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional communication skills and a willingness to work in a collaborative, fast-paced, and diverse work environment, as well as to provide high-level support to the Vice President for College Advancement. The Senior Director supervises full-time professional and administrative support staff, as well as part-time and/or student personnel. 

Essential Functions:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic communications strategy for the College that includes marketing, public relations and web content management, to encourage increased financial support of the College on an annual basis and during the planned comprehensive development campaign, as well as to enhance communication with key stakeholders (i.e. prospective and current students, parents, faculty and staff, alumni and donors, business and civic leaders, and others), and build the brand/reputation of the College at the local, national and international levels. Work closely with the Director of College Relations to plan and execute the overall strategic communications plan for the College.
• Establish strong contacts with members of the local, national, and international print and electronic media, including education writers, editors of op-ed and editorial pages, news directors of TV and radio stations, and magazine and periodical editors (both online and print). Seek and create new media outlets and partnerships for the College.
• Write, edit, and proof all press releases and handle their placement with appropriate media outlets.
• Assist with writing, editing and proofing all speeches and other public presentations to be made by the President and senior staff.
• Oversee the maintenance of up-to-date news content for the College's website. Oversee and update the website on a quarterly basis or more frequently, as directed.
• Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with representatives from community groups and internal constituencies. Establish and implement a community relations strategy to support the overall public relations effort.
• Advise the Vice President for College Advancement and, as directed, the President and President's Cabinet, on how to assess, monitor, manage, and respond to events that place the college in the public eye, and prepare senior officers and others for interviews or spokesperson roles.
• Create a crisis communication plan and serve as a member of the Emergency/Incident Management Team, handling emergency/crisis communications in a timely, professional and strategic manner.
• Research and develop potential HMC stories. Maintain close relationships with potential news sources within the College community. Develop ideas and stories to promote the College and its people and departments.
• Manage an independent portfolio of ongoing and special projects, as assigned, such as the development and implementation of campaign communications strategy and materials.
• Work closely with the College's communications consultant/consultancies and oversee communications projects related to the planned comprehensive development campaign, such as the refinement of the institutional brand strategy and package.
• Work closely with the Office of College Relations to publicize College programs and events and on other special public relations projects.
• Assist with on- and off-campus events, particularly those pertaining to the planned comprehensive development campaign, as directed. As directed, serve as a College spokesperson at events.
• Serve as the primary contact for College administrators, staff and faculty with questions about institutional communications, marketing and/or public relations efforts.
• Provide training and advice to staff on an ongoing and as-needed basis to develop the Advancement team's overall knowledge of the field of advancement communications.
• Stay abreast of current trends, news and developments in the field of communications. Participate in industry conferences, seminars, and other educational activities, as assigned. Propose new tools, methods or modes of communication, as appropriate and as needed.
• Manage the budget for the Communications Unit, providing monthly reports on both financial accounting, and unit and individual progress-to-goals.
• Oversee the paper and electronic record-keeping systems for the Communications Unit. Maintain and control confidential files.
• Supervise full and part-time professional and administrative support staff; and part-time student personnel as assigned to the Communications Unit.
• Coordinate and, as needed, conduct specialized and supplemental donor/prospect research, and assist with other research projects.
• Perform other duties and tasks, as assigned.

What the ideal candidate will bring to this position and HMC:
Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Business Administration, or Journalism and seven plus years with at least five years directly related to communications, marketing and/or public relations, whether in a college/university setting or in the non-profit sector; or equivalent experience, such as business development, etc. that provides the knowledge and skills required, or a combination of education, training, and experience that provides required knowledge, skills.
• Licenses/Certificates: Possess and maintain a valid driver's license and driving record acceptable to the College's automobile insurance carrier.
• Demonstrated success in positions of increasing responsibility within the non-profit sector, communications field, or related industry (e.g. business development).
• Demonstrated ability to develop strong relationships with media representatives and with on-campus news sources, including faculty, administration, and students.
• Demonstrated creativity and strong verbal and written communication skills; demonstrated expertise in researching, developing and placing stories in the media.
• Knowledge of laws/policies/principles, etc., applicable to communications and mass media.
• Facility with crisis and issues management and market positioning.
• General knowledge of best practices in fundraising and/or non-profit development.
• Demonstrated independent judgment and initiative; ability to exercise leadership, work both independently and as part of a team, attend to details, manage multiple projects, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to think strategically, plan effectively, and direct and manage projects/events to maximize staff talent and time.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative team environment and interact successfully with individuals with varying abilities, backgrounds, interests and beliefs.
• A high level of personal integrity, a demonstrated commitment to high standards and attention to detail, and the ability to exercise good judgment and discretion.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly and to be available 24-hours a day for emergency situations. Ability to work occasional weekends.
• Strength in standard office productivity software (e.g. Microsoft Office programs). Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat expertise a must.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree
• Experience in a college or university