The Communications and Marketing Strategists reports to the Director of Donor Relations, Recruitment, and Strategic Partnerships, and provides daily and strategic direction for marketing campaigns within the School of Divinity and set the direction and manage an integrated marketing plan to share the mission and programs of the School of Divinity throughout the local, national, and global community. The Strategist must collaborate with the University’s Director of Communications and Marketing to ensure unification and prevent duplication of messaging. The Communications and Marketing Strategist guides the strategy for all marketing and communications, website, and public relations messages and collateral to consistently articulate Shaw Divinity’s mission and its stakeholders and resources, in concert with the University’s Director of Communications and Marketing. The Strategist is responsible for planning, developing, and implementing all marketing strategies, marketing communications, and public relations activities, both external and internal; oversees development and implementation of support materials and services in marketing, communications, and public relations. The Strategist will work collaboratively, take initiative, and demonstrate excellent oral/written skills as well as demonstrate a fundamental knowledge and value for theological education and Christian Faith.
Essential Job Functions:
Communications, Marketing, and Public Relations
• Responsible for creating, implementing, managing, and measuring through data collection the success of: a comprehensive communications, marketing, and public relations program that will enhance the School of Divinity’s image and position within the marketplace and the public, and facilitate internal and external communications; and public relations activities and materials including publications, media relations, client acquisition
• Ensure articulation of School of Divinity’s desired image and position, assure consistent communication of image and position throughout the University, and assure communication of image and position to all constituencies, both internal and external.
• Responsible for editorial direction, design, production, and distribution of all publications.
• Coordinate media interest and ensure regular contact with target media and appropriate response to media requests.
• Coordinate with fundraising efforts to identify and measure new leads for sponsorship and donations.
• Coordinate the consistent appearance of all print and electronic materials such as letterhead, use of logo, brochures, flyers, posters, postcards, billboards, emails, social media, radio, etc.
• Develop, coordinate, and oversee programs, technical assistance, and resource materials to assist departments in the communications, marketing, and positioning of their activities.
• Provide counsel to alumni chapters on communications, marketing, and public relations.
• Ensure that the School of Divinity regularly conducts relevant market research and coordinate and oversee this activity. Monitor trends and review effectiveness of implemented campaigns and projects with adjustments when necessary.
• Establish and manage Dean of Divinity’s social media platforms (i.e. podcast, blog, etc.)
• Manage select vendor relationships and oversees ordering of premium items, collateral, and departmental materials.
• Coordinate with the Dean in the planning and marketing of the annual Circle of Preachers and Advocates of Justice Induction Ceremony/Gala and the Annual Minister conferences.
Planning and budgeting
• Responsible for the achievement of marketing/communications/public relations mission, goals and financial objectives. Ensure that evaluation systems are in place related to these goals and objectives and report progress to the Director of Donor Relations, Recruitment, and Strategic Partnerships.
• Develop short- and long-term plans and budgets for the marketing/communications/public relations program and its activities, monitor progress, assure adherence, and evaluate performance.
• Recommend short- and long-term goals and objectives to the Director of Donor Relations, Recruitment, and Strategic Partnerships.
• Develop, implement, and monitor systems and procedures necessary to the smooth operation of the marketing/communications/public relations function.
• Keep informed of developments in the fields of marketing, communications and public relations, not-for-profit management and governance, and the specific business of the Divinity School and use this information to help the University operate with initiative and innovation.
• Other duties as assigned.
Minimum Job Qualifications
Education and/or Experience
• Bachelor's degree in marketing, public relations, or journalism from an accredited college or university required.
Graduate degree in a related field is desirable.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in marketing, communications, or public relations with demonstrated success,
preferably in the not-for-profit or association sector.
• Demonstrated skills, knowledge and experience in the design and execution of marketing, communications, and
public relations activities.
• Strong creative, strategic, analytical, organizational, and personal sales skills.
• Demonstrated successful experience writing press releases, making presentations, and negotiating with media.
• Proven experience executing marketing campaigns (traditional and digital) for a variety of audiences
• Excellent presentation skills to present a variety of information from simple to complex in regards to theological
education and the liberative Christian Faith
• Experience overseeing the design and production of print materials, publications, and social media.
• Computer literacy in word processing, data base management and page layout.
• Commitment to working with shared leadership and in cross-functional teams.
• Strong oral and written communications skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at a time.
Other Competencies (skills, abilities, behavior)
Must have a philosophy that is consistent with the Mission, Vision and Core Values of the organization. Vision,
commitment, and experience in achieving goals and pursuing excellence is critical. Strong oral and written presentation
skills. Ability to work well independently and as a member of a team. Excellence in organization, decision-making,
problem-solving and creating a collaborative environment. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Must be
able to read, write and speak fluently in English.
Physical Demands
The work environment is an athletic and office setting which requires the ability to travel much of the time, work long
hours including evenings and weekends, be physically active, able to lift up to 50 pounds, and have the ability to
demonstrate specific skills.
