Lake Erie College, a small, co-educational, four-year, independent liberal arts college located in Painesville, OH, 30 miles east of Cleveland, invites applications for the full-time position of Public Affairs and Communications Strategist. This position will lead efforts to develop strategic communications, including media, public affairs and engagement, and dynamic storytelling. This is a full-time, exempt position reporting directly to the Vice President for Advancement. Review of applications will begin immediately, and the position will remain open until filled.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Strategy & Coordination
- Works with campus partners to set communication priorities and develop strategies that advance the College’s goals.
- Conceptualizes and implements comprehensive and creative communication strategies.
- Serves as a community liaison and works to identify new local, national and international partners that help advance the College’s objectives.
- Develops strategy documents and timelines, manages budgets, and tracks metrics to determine effectiveness, ensure accountability, and inform future strategy.
- Media Relations
- Works with traditional and new media to ensure coverage of Lake Erie College’s work in target print, television, radio, and online media; maintains knowledge of and relationships with reporters covering key issues; and coordinates press events and other earned media opportunities.
- Creates and implements paid media strategies on key priorities.
- Makes recommendations to Lake Erie College leadership about media strategies; conducts spokesperson prep for media interviews; writes talking points as needed.
- Content Creation and Branding
- Drives storytelling projects and consistently seeks out new and compelling ways to tell and amplify these stories.
- Drafts content for Lake Erie College website and print materials.
- Develops internal message guidance for colleagues, as needed.
- Reviews, edits, and approves content and materials to ensure it adheres to brand standards and furthers strategic communications goals for the organization.
- Manages the process for identifying qualified photographers and videographers for campus needs; serves as photographer and videographer, as needed.
- Administrative
- Manages project budgets and contractor invoices.
- Reports on analytics
- Other duties will be assigned by Vice President for Advancement
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PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- 2+ years of experience in communications, including setting strategy, managing campaigns, writing, and producing content, and conducting media outreach.
- Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree a plus.
- Excellent strategic sense and an ability to set goals and priorities, managing limited resources for maximum impact.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills with demonstrated experience in public speaking.
- Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to work as part of a team, manage vendors, and coordinate projects with internal and external partners.
- Outstanding organizational skills with a demonstrated ability to plan and coordinate a variety of detailed projects, sometimes under a very tight deadline.
- Demonstrates an awareness and sensitivity to the needs and concerns of individuals from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and orientations.
- Willingness to travel locally, as needed, for community events.
- Growth and “doer” mindset and institutional teamwork ethic.
- Creative, strategic, thoughtful, and has a sense of humor.
APPLICATION PROCESS:
Qualified candidates should submit a letter of interest, resume and three professional references either (1) online at www.lec.edu/employment-at-lec/ or (2) to our online application https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=89005&clientkey=74E03CF8736A837878EE360903D909BA Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Subject to a criminal background check prior to employment. EOE