Executive Director for Communications and Marketing

North Carolina State University

Commensurate with education and experience

United States, North Carolina, Raleigh

Oct 22, 2024

Posting Information

Posting Number	PG193748EP
Internal Recruitment	No
Working Title	Executive Director for Communications and Marketing
Anticipated Hiring Range	Commensurate with education and experience
Work Schedule	Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm; additional hours as needed
Job Location	Raleigh, NC
Department	College of Engineering
About the Department	The College of Engineering at North Carolina State University is focused on meeting the Grand Challenges of the 21st Century through discovery, innovation, education and outreach. Our cutting-edge research and education programs provide the knowledge and workforce to fuel the future of our state, nation and world. In the College of Engineering, we truly Think and Do. Engineering has been a cornerstone of NC State University since the university's founding in 1887. Today, with more than 10,000 students and 300 tenure/tenure-track faculty, the College is the largest engineering school in the state and the 9th largest in the nation. The College offers 18 bachelor's, 21 master's and 13 doctoral degrees on campus through its nine core departments and three affiliated departments. In addition, our 2+2 programs serve students across the state with programs at UNC-Asheville; Craven Community College in Havelock, NC; and UNC-Wilmington, and our Engineering Online program offers 16 master's degree programs to anyone in the world. You Belong Here! At NC State, our goal is for all employees to reach their fullest potential at work. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition ( https://news.hr.ncsu.edu/you-belong-here/) and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone. About NC State: North Carolina State University (NC State) was founded in 1887 with the purpose of creating economic, societal, and intellectual prosperity for the people of North Carolina. Today it is the largest university in North Carolina with more than 34,000 high-performing students, 8,000 pre-eminent faculty and staff and over 230,000 living alumni. NC State is known for its leadership in research, education, and service. As a Research 1 university, we are recognized for our strengths in science, engineering, and technology. The University consistently ranks among the top public universities and is one of the best values in higher education. In 2016, NC State launched the Think & Do the Extraordinary Campaign, the most ambitious fundraising effort in the history of the university with a $1.6 Billion goal. Priorities included dramatically increasing endowment to benefit students and faculty, enhancing facilities, and strengthening support for current operations
Essential Job Duties	The Executive Director for Communications and Marketing will lead NC State College of Engineering's ( COE) integrated marketing and communications planning, strategies, and implementation. The Executive Director will help advance the COE's goals by developing and delivering comprehensive, multi-channel communications campaigns, while working closely with various internal partners. This leader will have the following key mandates: To enhance COE's reputation and standing as one of the country's top (and largest in terms of enrollment) engineering schools in support of recruitment, philanthropy and key partnerships. To lead communications and marketing programs that align with and drive the school and university's strategies and priorities, promote the work and success of the departments and the COE overall, and result in measurable outcomes. To ensure cohesive positioning and messaging for the COE, while supporting and differentiating the distinct attributes, audiences and goals of the COE's departments and research centers. To apply best practices, make best use of resources and maximize return on investment in the development and implementation of a college-wide communications strategy.
Other Responsibilities	Strategy & Planning: Establish communications priorities, a messaging platform, and target audience outreach strategies for the COE. Deliver content through targeted channels and methods that increase visibility and engagement. Reputation Enhancement: In collaboration with COE leaders, support outreach initiatives that advance the COE's reputation with its targeted stakeholders. Work with department chairs and other COE leaders on an effective rankings strategy. Maintain the COE communications assets, including facts, rankings, biographies, data points, etc. Proactive Media Relations: Work collaboratively with the NC State media relations team to achieve a significant increase in strategic, positive media coverage. Develop a process for securing feature articles, expert commentary and other coverage with mainstream and scientific press, and key digital outlets. Internal Communications: In partnership with the dean's office, Human Resources, Student Affairs and other internal partners, enhance internal communications at the COE. Advise leaders on a consistent cadence and effective means of outreach to faculty, staff and students. Thought Leadership & Positioning: Through targeted opportunities, position COE leaders and key faculty as subject matter experts in defined priority areas. Digital Channels and Assets: Enhance the COE's online presence by optimizing use of website and digital platforms and technologies that support its goals and enhance its reputation. Recommend and institute improvements or phase out platforms as needed. Establish needed capabilities in listening, analytics and optimization. Ensure online content is current, accurate and supports positioning goals. Dean's Communications: Lead the development of a strategic communications plan and process for the dean. Communicate priorities and successes to target audiences, and support key initiatives through effective communications materials (digital content, presentations, white papers, videos, emails, etc.). Development Communications: Work with the assistant dean of philanthropy and other fundraising leaders to develop an annual development communications plan to drive donor awareness, engagement, giving and recognition. Support constituent engagement, fundraising, and donor stewardship through compelling messaging and tools. Visual Design and Storytelling: Oversee creative services and content strategies to develop effective digital, print, and multimedia materials that builds the COE brand and supports the goals of its departments and research centers. Ensure visual assets support positioning and reputation. Issues Management: Work closely with the NC State communications team to effectively anticipate and respond to issues. Help develop a framework for addressing concerns, highlighting positive messages and communicating to key stakeholders within the COE. Vendor oversight: Manage selection, oversight and relationships with external vendors, agencies, and consultants to extend and make efficient use of staff and resources. Administrative Integrated Strategy & Planning: Develop comprehensive, integrated marketing and communications plans that maximize opportunities among the various COE departments with target audiences, objectives and channels. Oversee roles and responsibilities and execution of the combined plans' elements in close collaboration with internal leads. Evaluate each plan's success, seeking feedback and making adjustments for continuous improvement. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Engage with leaders throughout the COE to remain current on organizational strengths and priorities and to communicate and involve those leaders in the communications agenda. Foster consensus and further the values of the COE through collaborative, inclusive leadership. Team & Capabilities Building: Assess, identify, and address the needs or gaps in staffing, budget, infrastructure, critical capabilities and external resources. Ways of Working and Resource Management: Establish best practices, protocols, procedures, and workflows in COE communications that foster productivity and efficiency. Lead professional development, performance reviews, coaching and mentoring of staff in partnership with Human Resources. Oversee communications plans and project budgets.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience	Requires a relevant post-Baccalaureate degree with a minimum of three (3) years or greater of related professional experience, or a relevant undergraduate degree and a minimum of five (5) years or greater of relevant experience may be substituted for the advanced degree.
Other Required Qualifications	Management experience of a team(s). Interpersonal and organizational skills to keep communications focused on the COE's goals, objectives, and priorities. Broad communications expertise, relationship skills, and results.
Preferred Qualifications	Ability to develop and execute successful communications strategies and campaigns, with 10 or more years of relevant experience in positions of increasing responsibility, and at least 5 years in a supervisory or management capacity. Advanced degree preferred. Current or prior experience in higher education, engineering or science is preferred, but not required.
Required License(s) or Certification(s)	N/A
Valid NC Driver's License required	No
Commercial Driver's License required	No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date	10/22/2024
Anticipated Close Date	Open Until Filled
Special Instructions to Applicants	Please attach cover letter, resume and contact information for three professional references.

Position Details

Position Number	00111108
Position Type	SAAO Tier II
Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)	1.0
Appointment	12 Month Recurring
Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather	Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather
Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events	Non Mandatory - Emergency Event
Department ID	140101 - College Of Engineering - Dean's Office/Administration
AA/EEO	NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as an individual with a disability, or status as a protected veteran. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-515-3148 to speak with a representative at the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity. If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu. Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit. NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.