$115,000 - $125,000

40

Established in 1809, Miami University is consistently ranked among the top national public
universities by U.S. News & World Report for providing students with an Ivy League-quality
education at a public school price. Located in the quintessential college town of Oxford,
Ohio—with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester,
and a European study center in Luxembourg—Miami serves more than 21,600 undergraduates
across 120 areas of study, and more than 2,500 graduate students through 70 master’s and
doctoral degree programs.

Miami University’s Communications and Marketing department has been charged with building
and maintaining the university’s brand on a local, regional, and national stage. This dynamic and
award-winning team is comprised of nearly 70 marketing and communications professionals
and is looking to hire a Senior Director of Communications.

Under the general direction of the Vice President/Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, the Senior Director of Communications leads Miami University’s storytelling team. The Senior Director has overall responsibility for leading the development, planning, implementation, and monitoring of internal and external communications for the university. The Senior Director will also serve as the official university spokesperson and is the primary contact for media outlets across the state and nation.

The Senior Director role is an essential component of an effort to build on the strong reputation of Miami University through a centralized storytelling approach in media relations, internal communications, and marketing.

The Senior Director will have direct responsibility for the development and execution of a proactive communications plan that drives international, national and local media relations, and for the strategic use of owned media assets to amplify the reach of the university’s messaging. The incumbent will oversee a team of public relations practitioners, news and feature writers, marketing copywriters and content strategists, videographers, photographers, and multi-channel content creators as part of a centralized storytelling approach for the university.

Additionally, the incumbent will engage with news media on behalf of Miami University, both proactively and in response to incoming inquiries on institutional matters. Under the guidance of University Communications leadership and reporting to the VP/CMCO, the Senior Director will also engage with the University’s marketing team to actively promote and elevate Miami University’s reputation and brand. The Senior Director will serve as a member of the executive leadership of UCM, working closely with the other team leaders.

This position has been approved for remote work. Remote work is not a right, it is a work
arrangement that can be modified or revoked by Miami University at any time for any reason,
including the convenience of the University.

- Leverage public relations and storytelling skills by leading the university news, content strategy, and photography/videography team and through collaboration with the marketing and digital media teams to support overarching goals of brand and reputation building by pursuing and securing news coverage in line with strategic and institutional priorities and creating a content strategy in alignment with the university’s strategic goals.
- Execute measurable PR strategies: collaborate with colleagues to develop key messages for thought leadership pieces; build and nurture media relationships through proactive pitches and targeted outreach; continually research outlets and journalists to expand PR capabilities.
- Leverage software/online tools and media services to promote faculty/staff expertise, accomplishments, and research. Work closely with faculty, deans, and academic affairs to source and promote scholarship.
- Respond strategically to institutional media inquiries with appropriate statements and information. Research requested information and develop responses in coordination with campus units and subject matter experts.
- Use social media platforms to target and follow influencers, including journalists, to tell and share news with a variety of audiences.
- Promote student achievements to help drive recruitment and retention, in addition to awareness and reputation.
- Assign writers, photographers, videographers as needed to cover/report on campus events through internal communication channels.
- Develop/maintain robust digital newsroom content; generate frequent news releases and expert pitches and prepare faculty and staff to serve as expert sources; share content with journalists and media outlets; assign photo and video projects;
- Collaborate with the university’s data analytics team to monitor and report relevant trends
- Identify and develop written communications in support of media relations activities, including fact sheets, talking points, press releases and similar materials.
- Develop and maintain collaborative relationships with members of the news media and with key stakeholders within the university. Coordinate with news media regarding their on-campus presence when relevant, in alignment with university policies.
- Provide expert advice on issues management to senior leadership and play a key role in crisis communications
- Work closely with Miami’s enrollment marketing, digital marketing, academic marketing and creative teams to lead in the creation and implementation of effective content strategies that attract and engage prospective students.
- Work with the marketing team to develop a media buying strategy that complements storytelling and enrollment marketing efforts.
- Oversee the Director of Content Strategy in creating a content strategy to meet the enrollment and business objectives of the university, including but not limited to defining the content strategy plan and how its successful implementation will be measured; and developing, aligning, and implementing strategic messaging to meet audience needs.
- Responsible for editorial content planning and generation that advance Miami’s strategic goals.
- Provide editorial supervision to ensure the excellence, originality, and diversity of stories and participants for production, and the accessibility and relevance of content to diverse audiences.
- Align strategic communications across the university to ensure a consistent, branded college identity.
- Other duties as assigned.

- Bachelor's degree and a minimum seven years' progressively responsible integrated marketing communications, public relations, and crisis communications experience;
- Experience working collaboratively with creative and editorial talent
- At least three years of supervisory experience

- Master's Degree or APR certification,
- 10+ years' relevant experience in content development;
- Experience working in a higher education setting;
- Experience media buying;
- Five years supervisory experience

Excellent written and oral communication skills; ability to employ strategic thinking from big picture goals to specific tactical plans; commitment to teamwork, collaboration, and consensus building, with a demonstrated ability to partner and lead through influence, across organizational lines.

Yes