Associate Director of Communications, Content Strategy Job at Loyola University

Position Title

Associate Director of Communications, Content Strategy

Employee Type

Regular

Office/Department

University Communications

Work Environment

Hybrid

Job Type

Full time

Benefits at Loyola

https://www.loyola.edu/department/hr/benefits/

Compensation Range

$57,430.00 - $71,788.00

Anticipated Start Date

12/01/2024

If Temporary or Visiting, Estimated End Date

Position Duties

The Associate Director will lead the strategic direction and then creation, implementation, and governance of engaging content that tells the Loyola University Maryland story across multiple platforms, publications, and channels. The position has a focus on recruitment, enrollment, engagement, and reputation, with attention to ensuring the Loyola brand is consistently communicated to various audiences in order to promote the value of a Loyola education, embrace our mission, and to foster and instill pride and loyalty in the University.

1. Leads the strategy for content creation and dissemination for Loyola University Maryland across multiple content vehicles, both print and digital, with consideration to university priorities, key constituencies, and programmatic needs, including:

* Develops content strategy that supports key university revenue-generating departments-including enrollment marketing and advancement-with a focus on audience, SEO, and user experience.

* Assesses and articulates how and why to develop compelling content that supports enrollment, marketing, and development initiatives.

* Stays informed of emerging and relevant industry trends, events, and news around Loyola University Maryland.

* Works within the office of marketing and communications to develop concept and brand messaging and contributes to the development of content for digital platforms, print media, and various other projects.

* Collaborates with internal content creators and social media managers and works with external clients and consultants for content strategy for marketing, recruitment, and development initiatives.

* Understands the creative and marketing objectives for each project assigned and works with Creative Services and Web teams to implement the Loyola brand and story into projects.

* Works with strategic partners across campus to assess impact and results of key content strategies-and adjusts approach for future projects as needed.

2. Oversees the development of compelling content that supports enrollment, engagement, and advancement initiatives and contributes to the strategic direction and success of the University, including:

* Researches and identifies concepts and topics for feature stories, newsletters, feature profiles, and web content; provides insight into multi-use content to prioritize creation and dissemination and improves overall quality and longevity of content.

* Ensures all content meets Loyola's marketing and communication standards and adheres to brand guidelines.

* Conceptualizes, creates, and executes multipurpose content that supports the overarching content strategy for undergraduate, graduate, and advancement content marketing for Loyola University Maryland.

* Writes, edits, repurposes, and curates content-and provides insight for disseminating, auditing/updating content to maximize use and engagement.

* Collaborates with various members of the marketing and communications team and staff, faculty, and students University-wide to develop and implement effective written and visual content.

3. Develops and executes strategic social media plan to elevate the reputation and brand of Loyola; to foster a platform for stakeholder engagement and two-way communication; to amplify institutional, student, faculty, and alumni successes; and to elevate critical messages to institutional leaders and crisis communication team as warranted. Oversees the full-time Social Media Manager position to help execute the strategic social media plan across multiple platforms and across other University social channels; engages student interns, influencers, and ambassadors as needed.

4. Manages and oversees the creation, implementation, and distribution of content created by vendors; freelance writers; student writers, videographers, and photographers; faculty, administrators, and other various internal content creators.

Bachelor's degree in relevant discipline required, master's degree preferred

5 years of experience in the field of strategic communications and/ or media

* Demonstrated understanding of and experience with content strategy (including social media); ability to determine the content to create, identify how it fits in with strategic goals, and establish a framework or process for dissemination of content with consideration to those goals and the target audience

* Ability to compellingly communicate the Loyola brand; demonstrated design sensibility to envision how content will be presented or distributed in diverse mediums, including formats other than text-based articles (e.g., infographics and photography), and via emerging media

* Demonstrated experience in developing concepts, leading projects, and seeing them through with external writers and content creators

* Demonstrated editorial prowess and understanding of what makes a compelling story (and which formats through which to tell and share it)

* Experience collaborating with creative teams consisting of graphic and Web designers, management, freelance writers, student content creators, and others

* Exceptional written communication and editing skills; experience writing persuasive original copy in a variety of styles for various audiences

* Demonstrated experience in professional and creative writing; strong understanding of Associated Press Style and use of institutional style guide; detail and deadline oriented

* Experience and confidence in decision making, leading a team and in seeing a project from concept to finish; ability to present strategy and work to internal stakeholders, including faculty, donors, and leadership

* Strong focus on client and customer relations, including interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to interact with and build relationships with key constituencies including donors, alumni, internal clients, university leadership, and external vendors and consultants

* Experience working Spanish-speaking audiences desirable.

* Experience with project management software, CRM platforms, and social media and database applications helpful.

Successful candidates for any staff, faculty, or administrative position at Loyola University Maryland will be subject to a pre-employment background check. Note: Experience and/or education may be substituted for requirements.

University Description

Loyola University Maryland is a Jesuit, Catholic university committed to the educational and spiritual traditions of the Society of Jesus and to the ideals of liberal education and the development of the whole person. Accordingly, Loyola inspires students to learn, lead, and serve in a diverse and changing world. Loyola's beautiful, historic Evergreen campus is located in Baltimore, and its graduate centers are in Timonium and Columbia. Loyola enrolls 4,000 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students across the Sellinger School of Business and Management, the School of Education, and Loyola College of Arts and Sciences. Founded in 1852, Loyola is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States and the first to bear the name of Saint Ignatius Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus.

Diversity Statement

Loyola University Maryland strongly values the benefits that diversity brings to the workplace. In accord with its Ignatian values, the University is committed to creating and promoting a community that recognizes the inherent value and dignity of each person. Loyola University Maryland does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military status, or any other legally protected classification. The University recruits, hires, and promotes in accord with this policy and its Core Values.