Associate Director of External Communication

at Loyola University Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, United States

Job Description

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Scope of Responsibilities

The Associate Director of External Communication reports to the Assistant Vice President for Communication, is a member of the Communications Team, and oversees one direct report. The Associate Director is a skilled strategist who leads proactive media relations in service of the University’s mission and reputation.

The Associate Director will have a clear focus on proactive and innovative storytelling in collaboration with the larger marketing and communication team and the department’s strategic plan and brand pillars.

This mission-critical role plays a key part in expanding awareness of Loyola University Chicago and differentiating its unique position as a leader in higher education based on academic excellence and Jesuit, Catholic educational methods and values.

The Associate Director will seek earned media opportunities with priority schools and divisions; build quality working relationships with media; collaborate with and support integrated marketing campaigns; monitor and assess media coverage and share relevant reports; leverage media coverage internally and externally working with social media managers and others; and advocate for maximizing media coverage across other areas such as Enrollment Marketing, Office of the Provost, and Office of the President. The Associate Director will train community members to work with media, develop and place op-eds with key media outlets, and conduct effective interviews. The Associate Director will serve as a source, resource, and professional guide to journalists from Loyola’s student media, including the Phoenix newspaper and Rambler Report newscast. The Associate Director will also provide strategic counsel to Assistant Vice President and University leadership in issues management situations – and serve a key role in responding to issues.

Attributes:

+ Superlative communicator and creative storyteller who can identify and develop stories, press releases, web and video content that elevate the University’s reputation and authentically represent its quality, values, and Jesuit Catholic mission.

+ Earns the confidence of stakeholders across the University, especially related to crisis communications and sensitive issues management.

+ Ability to work across the organization and hierarchy to build collaborative relationships across University Marketing and Communications, across academic units, as well as the Division of Student Development, Enrollment Marketing, and Advancement.

+ Organizational and planning skills with an eye for detail to manage a pipeline of stories and projects efficiently and effectively.

+ Ability to stay calm and to pivot quickly to take advantage of media opportunities or respond to reputational issues

+ Learning mindset to convey a range of nuanced subject matter and tones

+ Anticipatory mindset to identify opportunities and reputational risks, define scenarios, and present situational analyses and frameworks for strong narrative, meaningful listening, and strategic response.

+ Strong and respectful conflict resolution skills for crucial conversations

+ Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills

+ Executive discretion and discernment

+ Demonstrated record of relationship building and working effectively in hybrid and remote modes

+ Inspirational leader and trusted advisor to colleagues across Loyola

Duties and Responsibilities

+ Develop and direct external communications strategies and tactics that strengthen Loyola’s mission and lift Loyola University Chicago’s brand. This includes:

+ Establishment of yearly communication calendars and plans coordinated with Loyola operations and milestones

+ Build out and maintain an effective and up-to-date crisis communications plan

+ Collaborate in crafting official statements and rapid response

+ Active media outreach and proactive storytelling

+ Collaborate in crafting official statements

+ Contribute to integrated marketing campaigns in support of strategic plan, campus master plan, and advancement campaigns

+ Creation of public relations themes, narratives, and campaigns around academic quality and brand pillars

+ Management of reactive media inquiries, hot-button issues, and campus controversies, collaborating with appropriate stakeholders

+ ·Collaborate and coordinate across UMC , with MarCom managers, and with stakeholders on integrated campaigns that unify mission, brand, and voice

+ Help research, write, and edit foundational communications (e.g., president’s report, fact book, impact report, Loyola Today news hub, Examens)

+ Contribute to integrated marketing and comms around IDIEI , civil discourse, and the character of the University

+ Advise and partner with school marketing and communications managers on external communications

+ Collaborate closely with University social media to coordinate messaging and monitor threats and response

+ Develop effective plans and protocols for strategic operational excellence.

+ Manage direct report, Assistant Director of Internal Communication

+ Collaborate and oversee editorial, production, cadence, and distribution of internal emails, newsletters; consult as needed

+ Team closely with Assistant Director on rapid-response situations

+ In consultation with the Assistant Vice President, work with the Assistant Director to develop integrated communications plans for proactive opportunities and issues responses. Support the Assistant Director in expanding communications efforts to include more proactive storytelling and comprehensive channels.

+ Consult, advise, and support as needed; develop and complete annual performance evaluations.

Bachelor’s degree required in Journalism, Communications, or related field; advanced degree in Business, Marketing, or Communications preferred.

Significant background, 5-8 years, in Public or Media Relations, Marketing, or related communications experience.

Excellent written and verbal communications skills with adaptive writing agility for a variety of mediums (i.e., news releases, social, web, and other copy for relevant platforms to maximize earned media coverage and content.

Well-versed in evolving media landscape and contemporary best practices and working knowledge of vendor tools like Cision, Businesswire, etc.

Proficient or in solid command of in Microsoft Office, including PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams, Excel, etc., Zoom and others.

Working knowledge of social media channel deployment (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn), and Sprout Social or other social media management, distribution and monitoring or listening platforms.

Proven success in PR pitching and high-profile media placements; active media network with focus on regional and national news and higher education.

Ability to collaborate with various teams including advancement, UMC , Student Development, HR, President’s office, Provost’s office, deans, special events, Graduate and Professional Enrollment Management, etc.

Demonstrated project management skills and ability to manage various d