Executive Director of Strategic Communications

For the full job announcement visit: https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/scccd/jobs/4975727/executive-director-of-strategic-communications?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

The ideal candidate for this role is a dynamic, experienced, mission-driven communicator who brings heart, strategy, and vision to their work. With a distinguished track record in public relations, marketing, and strategic messaging within complex organizations, this leader will authentically connect the District’s mission, values, and ethos with communities we serve.

They possess exceptional verbal and written communication abilities, strong political acumen, and a calm, confident presence under pressure.  Whether leading through a crisis, engaging the media, or inspiring internal and external stakeholders, they bring both clarity and compassion to the message. This communications leader is a champion for all students, advocating for inclusion, integrity, innovation, and the diverse voices of our valley.

As a vital member of the Chancellor’s Cabinet, the Executive Director will guide cohesive communication strategies to enhance public perception, cultivate deep and trusting internal relationships, support student enrollment, and align with institutional  goals. They will inspire and lead with kindness, credibility, and a strategic vision, building trust, cultivating community connections, and lifting up the transformative impact of education.

General Purpose

Under direction of the Chancellor, plans, develops and implements an effective and strategic District communications program and public relations campaign that enhances communications internally and with external partners. The Executive Director of Strategic Communications strengthens, develops and delivers well-designed and compelling communication and marketing efforts to advance the District’s strategic priorities with a focus on public relations; designs publica­tions and related communication activities to support student enrollment and enhance the Colleges’ and District’s image; serves as a member of the Chancellor’s cabinet; works with the college’s Directors of Marketing and Communications, Public Information Officers, and the District Executive Director of the Foundation to ensure public messaging, social media strategies, fundraising activities and community engagement are consistent and aligned with the District’s overall mission, vision and goals; serves as primary District spokesperson to the press and public; and performs related duties as assigned.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Advises and works closely with the Chancellor to develop and implement short-and long-range communication plans and strategies to accelerate the District's goals and objectives; regularly meets with the college’s Directors of Marketing and Communications, Public Information Officers and the District Executive Director of the Foundation to ensure public messaging, social media strategies, fundraising activities and community engagement are aligned with the District’s overall mission, vision and goals; Creates opportunities for internal and external partnerships to expand educational messaging to promote college and district goals; coordinates with consultants as necessary.
• Leads, develops, and implements a comprehensive communications strategy focusing on the District’s key strategic initiative and integrated plan; develops tactical messaging to strengthen engagement with donors, prospects, community leaders and local nonprofit leaders in ways that advance the District’s educational mission and strategic plan priorities.
• Oversees or participates in the creation of a wide variety of promotional materials intended to market and promote the Colleges and District's programs, services and activities; develops a District marketing plan for outreach in support of enrollment management strategies; approves the production of District publications and monitors publications from the colleges to ensure the District's image is consistent; develops and participates in creating layouts for magazines, brochures, newsletters, posters, and other publications; creates templates to update and refine a broad array of marketing materials; leads the development of marketing materials and public relations for key events and milestones.
  Plans, organizes, directs, controls, integrates and evaluates the work of team leads and assigned staff; develops, implements and monitors work plans to achieve goals and objectives; contributes to the development of and monitors performance against the annual department budget; manages and directs development, implementation and evaluation of the departmental budget, plans, work processes, systems and proce­dures to achieve annual goals, objectives and work standards.
• Serves as a member of the Chancellor's Cabinet, attends Board meetings and retreats and collaborates with members of the executive team to assist in the effective presentation of information and improve communication to promote understanding and support for the District’s master plan and key strategic initiatives; may serve on the Foundation Board to provide communication strategies in support of fundraising activities.
• Provides day-to-day leadership and works with staff to ensure a high-performance, service-oriented work environment that supports achievement of the District’s mission, objectives and values; promotes workplace diversity, inclusion, cultural competency and a positive work environment. 
• Establishes measures to track the effectiveness and progress of marketing and strategic partnerships to evaluate effectiveness of all marketing and communications initiatives; coordinates primary messaging to ensure it is delivered efficiently, accurately and on a timely basis across all available internal and external communication platforms; identifies key stories that reflect strategic priorities and the most effective platform for delivery. 
• Assists in the creation and delivery of State Center Community College Foundation’s outreach (materials, messaging & content) including media relations, news releases, op-ed pieces, story pitches and others; manages and leads development of SCCC Foundation newsletters around key topics.
• Designs the layout of web pages for overall presentation; oversees and ensures effectiveness of SCCCD and SCCC Foundation website.
• Plans and manages publicity-related special events and provides technical direction to staff in carrying out marketing, communications and social media messaging to ensure the District’s participation at special events, conferences, and community events are leveraged to promote the college and District’s educational messaging; facilitates community outreach programs; ensures District's presence at key events, conferences, and general meetings; arranges District tours and visits.
• Serves as the District’s lead media spokesperson; composes speeches, news releases and other types of communication for the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees; establishes clearinghouse for general information about the District and its colleges (history, current activities and future plans).

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, public relations, communications or a related field, and at least seven years of progressively responsible experience leading marketing, communications, social media branding, or related areas in a complex organization with multiple communications objectives, at least one year of which was in a managerial role; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

A master's degree is preferred.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
A valid California driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability under the District’s vehicle insurance program. 

To move forward in the selection process, you must complete an online application through our web site at http://www.schooljobs.com/careers/scccd. Please attach to your application a copy of your degree or transcripts (must include when degree was awarded) or your application may be considered incomplete. Resumes may also be uploaded but cannot be used in lieu of a completed application.

 
APPLICATION REVIEW AND ASSESSMENTS
The application review process includes an evaluation of training and experience based on given application information and answers to supplemental questionnaire.  Only the most qualified applicants, who pass the minimum qualifications review, will be invited to the assessment process.

The assessment process will include a performance assessment (30% weight) and an oral interview assessment (70% weight).  Passing score is 75% out of 100% on each assessment section.

TESTING TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED AS FOLLOWS
Performance Assessment: August 06 - 07, 2025
Oral Interview Assessment: August 06 - 07, 2025

Candidates who attain a passing score on each part of the assessment will be placed in rank order on districtwide Open-Competitive List. Using the same process, a separate Promotional List will be established and both Lists will be used concurrently.  The eligibility list will be used to fill current vacancies for at least six months. The current vacancy is at the District Office.