Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions Looking for Director of University Communications Full Time

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS

Position Reports to: Senior Director of University Marketing &
Communications (UMC)

POSITION PURPOSE

The Director of University Communications creatively
leads the communication strategy, including all aspects of internal and external communication, media relations, and guides executive
communication. The position is responsible for the development and execution of initiatives across all communication facets including
positioning, narrative development, major earned media programs, issues management, crisis communications, influencer communications, and
stakeholder engagement. The position will work closely with the Sr. Director of UMC to architect and guide engagements, establish budget,
timeline and quality standards, and build strong trusting relationships with colleagues across the broader university community. 

The ideal candidate has a deep passion for higher education and healthcare, thinks creatively and differently about audience engagement
and storytelling, and operates with agility, speed, and commitment to achieving campus clients’ goals.

The selected candidate
must possess a thorough understanding of how to design and implement strategic communication campaigns, have strong public communications
experience being a spokesperson for an organization, a proven track record leading external communications campaigns, including local,
regional and national media, and experience working directly with executives to shape messaging and strategies. Poise, collegiality and
demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with internal and external audiences is required.

 ESSENTIAL
FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities:

• Maintain and develop key media contacts; experience
  pitching stories to national and local print, online, television, radio media and editorial boards.
• Proactively develop and offer
  fresh story angles to media.
• Demonstrate tactical proficiency in media relations, including creating and driving strategic
  traditional media outreach plans, manage multiple projects for multiple internal RMU clients from concept to completion.
• Consistently produce high quality internal and external communications content (annual report, university news and blog, employee
  newsletter, annual university magazine, presentations, etc.).
• Demonstrate writing excellence when creating internal and client
  materials and correspondence.
• Write, edit and proofread materials ensuring quality and consistency with appropriate writing
  styles.
• Lead and coordinate university communication special projects and initiatives.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• The ideal candidate should have a master’s degree in a relevant field, a solid grasp of all
  strategic communication tools and how they are used as well as solid research, writing and editing skills.
• At least 10 years of
  experience of doing predominantly earned media work.
• They should have the ability to develop relationships with media and apply
  experience and initiative in developing traditional and digital media relations strategies.
• They are expected to have an excellent
  understanding of media outreach assignments and apply experience and initiative in developing appropriate traditional and online media
  strategies.
• Have an affinity for storytelling, and is able to generate creative ideas, take risks and think big.
• Have a
  strong journalistic mindset, with proven ability to uncover storylines media will find compelling.
• Must be able to demonstrate
  excellent storytelling skills, and provide sound, level-appropriate media counsel with all levels of internal client contacts.
• Ability to research, interview, write and edit a range of communications for various communication channels (media alerts, pitch emails,
  news releases, feature stories, post-project recap reports, campus newsletters, scripts, bylined articles, speeches, video scripts,
  etc.).
• Ability to write strategic communication plans and a variety of media materials with limited oversight.
• Demonstrates a consistent ability to develop, manage and implement strategic media relations and account-specific initiatives across a
  variety of communications channels.

Knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Skills and executive experience as a
  university media spokesperson.
• Stellar writer who generates creative content and is attentive to detail.
• Skills with
  crisis communication and issues management.
• Excellent presenter and persuasive speaker.
• Knowledge and experience in
  managing budgets and personnel—holding them accountable for performance while maintaining a positive and healthy work
  environment.
• Demonstrates an understanding of research techniques including analysis of media coverage and online conversations
  (volume and tone), and identification and categorization of various stakeholders.
• Knowledge of effectively driving client meetings,
  creative brainstorms, and team development.
• Skills and expertise in mobilizing and motivating teams.
• Skills in exceptional
  judgement when working with team members, contacts, and vendors.
• Self-motivated, entrepreneurial, and curious.
• Proven
  ability to develop and manage complex projects with multiple work streams across multiple platforms.
• Ability to demonstrate
  leadership, communication skills, commitment to diversity, inclusion and consesnsus building success.
• Ability to turn ideas into
  workable plans.
• Ability to anticipate client and team needs.
• Creative problem-solving abilities and cross-functional team
  management experience.
• Hands-on leader who can inspire and manage academic program communication plans to do award-winning work and
  able to write and present well to campus clients.

WORKING REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS

Education/Certification:

Graduate degree in a related field (such as student development, higher education,
administration, or leadership) from a regionally accredited institution.

Required Knowledge and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited institution with a master’s degree in a directly related field, plus four years of experience related
to the Summary of Duties of the position or Bachelor’s degree in a directly related field, plus six years related to the Summary of
Duties of the position or any combination of higher education and/or experience totaling ten years. 

Preferred
Qualifications:

Skills/Abilities:

• Student/customer-centeredness

PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF
THIS POSITION

Finger dexterity:

Using primarily just the fingers to make small movements
such as typing, picking up small objects, or pinching fingers together

Talking:

Especially where one must
convey detailed or important instructions or ideas accurately, loudly, or quickly

Average Hearing:

Able to
hear average or normal conversations and receive ordinary information

Average Visual Abilities:

Average,
ordinary visual acuity necessary to prepare or inspect documents or products, or operate machinery

Physical
Requirements:

Sedentary work. Sitting most of the time. Exerts up to 10 lbs. of force occasionally (Almost all office
jobs)

General working hours M-F 8 am – 5 pm.

Some nights and weekends possible.

Occasionally will need to attend
special events.

Be on-call for crisis communication situations, 24×7.

WORKING CONDITIONS

None:

No hazardous or significantly unpleasant conditions (Such as in a typical office)

MENTAL ACTIVITIES AND REQUIREMENTS OF THIS POSITION

Reasoning Ability:

Ability to deal
with a variety of variables under only limited standardization

Able to interpret various instructions

Mathematics
Ability:

Ability to perform basic math skills, use decimals to compute ratios and percentages, and draw and interpret
graphs

Language Ability:

Ability to read a variety of books, magazines, instruction manuals, atlases, and
encyclopedias; Ability to prepare memos, reports, and essays using proper punctuation, spelling, and grammar

Ability to communicate
distinctly with appropriate pauses and emphasis; correct pronunciation (or sign equivalent); and variation in word order using present,
perfect, and future tenses

INTENT AND FUNCTION OF JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Job descriptions
assist organizations in ensuring that the hiring process is fairly administered and that qualified employees are selected. They are also
essential to an effective appraisal system and related promotion, transfer, layoff, and termination decisions. Well-constructed job
descriptions are an integral part of any effective compensation system.

All descriptions have been reviewed to ensure that
only essential functions and basic duties have been included. Peripheral tasks, only incidentally related to each position, have been
excluded. Requirements, skills, and abilities included have been determined to be the minimal standards required to successfully perform the
positions. In no instance, however, should the duties, responsibilities, and requirements delineated be interpreted as all-inclusive.
Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate.

In accordance with the
Americans with Disabilities Act, it is possible that requirements may be modified to reasonably accommodate disabled individuals. However,
no accommodations will be made which may pose serious health or safety risks to the employee or others or which impose undue hardships on
the organization.

Job descriptions are not intended as and do not create employment contracts. RMUoHP maintains its status
as an at-will employer. Employees can be terminated for any reason not prohibited by law.

Rocky Mountain University is an
Equal Opportunity Employer.