Wenatchee Valley College

Executive Director of Communications, Marketing and Media Relations

Wenatchee Valley College, Wenatchee, WA, United States

Salary: $118,450.00 Annually
Location : Wenatchee, WA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number:
Department: Community Relations
Opening Date: 07/11/2024
Closing Date: Continuous
Job Summary

The executive director of communications, marketing, and media relations serves as the district's chief communications, brand identity, public relations information officer, and as an advisor to the president. The vision for the college is to foster inclusive excellence and to become the higher education institution of choice for the Northwest Region of Washington State and beyond. The executive director plays an essential role in these efforts. The incumbent oversees the communications, marketing strategy, messaging, execution, and evaluation of the district's brand identity to advance the strategic goals of the college. The department advances the mission and strategic priorities while communicating and expanding the visibility and brand awareness within the college, community, and greater region through coordinated efforts and messaging to diverse internal and external audiences. The incumbent provides district-wide leadership, mentorship, and support in the strategic advancement of the college.

Essential Functions
Leadership and Strategy

Assist in the transformation and repositioning of the college as a respected educational training, workforce, and economic driver for the North Central Washington region and beyond. Serve as leader of the department and oversee development and implementation of research-driven, results-oriented communications and marketing plans and oversee the development and implementation of strategic and consistent messaging to build the college's brand in ways that attract and educate current and future students and diverse audiences.
Serves as the district spokesperson for campus and community media, public relations, and legislative affairs.
Guide the strategic messaging to build the colleges' brand in ways that foster innovation, support the college enrollment growth, student success and completion initiatives and increase the visibility of the college within the district, nationally, and internationally.
Manage department operations, including supervising, supporting, and motivating staff, and developing and managing department budgets, operations, goals and plans.
In support of campus stakeholders, the division collaborates in organizing special events such as commencement, fall kickoff week, and other events on campus and community functions as deemed appropriate.
Serve as the primary communications coordinator for the president in ways that build understanding and support for the president's leadership priorities. Develop communication that reflects the president's voice and style across a range of formats and settings from message points to presentations.
Serve on the president's cabinet, and in other capacities on behalf of the college, including assisting with the development, milestone achievement, impact, and outcomes of the college's mission, vision, values and strategic priorities, as appropriate.
Develop systems of efficiency, assessment, effectiveness, and continuous improvement, including the prioritization of workflow for direct reports and departmental staff.
Participate actively in the SBCTC Public Information Office network.

Strategic Communications

The executive director will guide and oversee campus and community communication, marketing and public relations efforts, including media, brand identity, advertising, publications, strategic planning documents, milestone updates, and annual goal metrics and accomplishment efforts.
Participate in the discussion and strategic planning for presidential events, including when hosting dignitaries, regional or statewide educational leaders, and other stakeholders' events.

Marketing and Brand Awareness

As part of the college's continuous improvement framework, the executive director will integrate and leverage metrics and analytics to measure the brand's effectiveness.
Responsible for branding elements, graphic design, photography, and videography services for print and electronic publications and news sources.
Using best practices and working collaboratively with departments, faculty, staff, and stakeholders, develop and manage media, marketing, and social media platforms to highlight and achieve institutional priorities.
Oversees and strengthens Wenatchee Valley College brand awareness by consistently communicating the college's distinctions to the campus, community and target audiences.
Responsible for general communications aspects of the WVC website and other social media, including content development, design, marketing messages and addressing audience needs.
Responsible for creating and placing paid advertisements for WVC classes, programs, services and activities.

Media and Public Relations

Serve as the primary media contact and official college spokesperson related to internal or external affairs.
Provide leadership and assistance and advice to the president regarding campus and community affairs, local, state, public relations and media relations functions.
Develop and maintain media and public relations programs, including providing information through interviews, press releases, features, news tips, letters, and opinion pieces and developing good relationships with local media personnel.
Manages media relations in times of institutional crisis or critical incident.

This is not intended to be an exclusive list of all duties and responsibilities. Related duties and responsibilities may be assigned.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in public relations, marketing, communications, business or a related field.
Minimum of five years of marketing/communications leadership experience (manager of marketing, advertising, public relations, digital communications, or related field).
Experience supervising, directing, and mentoring the work of others.
Experience developing a communication or marketing plan with proven results.
Working knowledge of graphic, web, and social media applications and tools, including MS Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite and website content management systems.
Demonstrated understanding and commitment to web accessibility standards.
Experience creating digital content (such as Word/PDF documents and web content) in accessible formats.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively. Excellent written and oral communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to interact with colleagues at every level of the organization.
Demonstrated ability to coordinate and execute a variety of tasks simultaneously and to exercise judgment and discretion.
Demonstrated ability as a public speaker and serving as the organization's representative at public and private events.
Ability to work effectively with internal and external partners.
Experience using AP Style for media communications.

Preferred Qualifications:

Master's degree in a related field.
Experience in higher education, government, and/or corporate public relations, communications, or marketing in large and complex organizational ecosystems.
Working knowledge of state government and the political process.
Demonstrated experience with marketing photography and video.
Experience with brand development and professional writing.
Diversity, equity and inclusion: Demonstrated competency and experience working in a diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological, gender and racial/ethnic backgrounds and those with physical, emotional and/or learning disabilities.
Prior experiences serving in leadership roles.
Bilingual in Spanish and English.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

Communication: Communicate clearly and persuasively in all mediums, actively listen and take the time to understand the points being made, including asking questions as appropriate and responding to questions.
Quality: Accurate and thorough, look for ways to improve and promote quality, provide feedback to improve performance, monitor own work to ensure quality.
Professionalism: Approach others in a tactful manner, react well under pressure, treat others with respect and consideration and follow through on commitments.
Problem solving: Ability to assess situations and think beyond the immediate issue to anticipate and fulfill future needs before they become complications.
Customer Service: Knowledge of customer service skills and best practices with ability to provide general and specialized student support with professional courtesy, empathy, and interest in positive problem solving.
Technical/computer skills: High level of proficiency and accuracy in Microsoft Office; familiarity with Canvas, PeopleSoft, and other college systems; ability to be cross trained to provide basic technical support.
Student services: Knowledge of college processes such as admissions, enrollment, and financial aid; ability to be cross trained to provide student services support.
FERPA: Maintain a high level of confidentiality and follow FERPA guidelines.

Additional Information
Terms of Employment:
This is full-time professional exempt position contracted on an annual basis. The salary for this position is $118,450 annually. The salary will be prorated to reflect the actual number of contract days worked in the remainder of the fiscal year. Flexibility in scheduling is required to meet the needs of the department.

Your paycheck is just part of the total compensation package. There is an outstanding benefits package which is worth an additional value equivalent to about 30% of your salary. A comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance; life and long- term disability insurance plans; vacation, sick and personal leave; reduced tuition; and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our benefits website at:

Work Schedule & Environment:

Normal work hours are Monday through Friday, but occasional evening and weekend work may be required. Work in a busy office environment with frequent interruptions and distractions.

Conditions of Employment:

An offer of employment will not carry with it any responsibility or obligation on the part of the College to sponsor an H-1B visa. Wenatchee Valley College only employs U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show proof of identity, and eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
All offers of employment are subject to background checks. Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
Finalists are required to complete the sexual misconduct disclosure form as required under RCW 288.112.080.
A valid Washington state driver's license may be required.

Application and Selection Procedure:
Complete application packages must include the following:

Complete Wenatchee Valley College online application.
Upload cover letter that specifically describes how your educational background and experience meet the minimum and preferred qualifications.
Upload resume.
Complete supplemental questions.

It is your responsibility to submit all required application materials before the deadline. Please do not send reference letters or other unsolicited materials. They will not be shared with the screening committee and cannot be returned to you. Only finalists may be asked to send additional materials.

Attachments from prior applications will not upload automatically to your new application. Should you have difficulties uploading your documents, please contact NeoGov Technical Support at for assistance.

Preliminary screening of complete applications will begin August 8, 2024, and continue until the position is closed. A limited number of applicants who meet the needs of the position and the college will be interviewed.
Reasonable Accommodation:

Applicants with disabilities who require assistance with the application and employment process will be accommodated to the extent reasonably possible. Requests should be made to the human resources office by calling . Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may dial 711 to place a call through Washington Relay, the state's free telecommunication access service.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

Wenatchee Valley College is committed to a policy of equal opportunity in employment and student enrollment. All programs are free from discrimination and harassment against any person because of race, creed, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability, or the use of a service animal by a person with a disability, age, parental status or families with children, marital status, religion, genetic information, honorably discharged veteran or military status or any other prohibited basis per RCW 49.60.030, 040 and other federal and laws and regulations, or participation in the complaint process.

Equity Statement:

Research suggests that women, gender diverse, BIPOC individuals may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage anyone who believes they have the skills and the drive necessary to succeed here to apply for this role.

The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies and Title IX compliance for both the Wenatchee and Omak campuses:

To report discrimination or harassment: Title IX Coordinator, (509) ,
To request disability accommodations: Student Access Manager, Wenatchi Hall 2133, (509) , TTY/TTD: Dial 711,

This recruitment announcement may not reflect the entire job description and can be changed or modified at any time.

Wenatchee Valley College provides a robust benefit package. The benefits, programs, and services offered are a sizable amount of an employee's overall compensation and an important factor in encouraging a healthy work-life balance.

Our package includes health, vision, prescription drug, and dental insurance for the employee and dependents. Employees are also covered by basic life insurance, AD&D, and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts. Visit Washington Health Care Authority's Public Employee Benefits Board (PEBB) .

We will help you prepare for life after your career by offering an excellent retirement plan, which includes employer contributions. In addition, employees have the option to participate in two tax-deferred retirement investment programs.

See our benefits page for more info -

Do you have a bachelor's degree in public relations, marketing, communications, journalism, business, or a related field?

Do you have a minimum of five years of marketing/communications leadership experience (manager of marketing, advertising, public relations, digital communications or related field)?

Do you have experience supervising, directing, and mentoring the work of others?

Do you have experience developing a communication or marketing plan with proven results?

Do you have a working knowledge of graphic, web, and social media applications and tools, including MS Office Suite, Adobe Creative Suite, and website content management systems?

Do you have a demonstrated understanding and commitment to web accessibility standards?

Do you have experience creating digital content (such as Word/PDF documents and web content) in accessible formats?

Are you able to communicate effectively? Do you have excellent written and oral communication skills, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to interact with colleagues at every level of the organization?

Are you able to coordinate and execute a variety of tasks simultaneously and to exercise judgment and discretion?

Do you have the ability to be a public speaker and serve as the organization's representative at public and private events?

Do you have the ability to work effectively with internal and external partners?

Do you have experience using AP Style for media communications?

Required Question