JOB SUMMARY: The Director of Public Relations and Marketing is responsible for identifying, leading, and supporting strong internal and external public relations and marketing strategies that successfully promote Gadsden State within the state and its communities. The director develops and oversees the College's marketing plan and coordination of marketing campaigns targeted to specific needs of the College. The director is the keeper of the brand, ensuring the brand message is consistent, timely, and relevant.  ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: * Develop/implement short and long-range goals that lead to impactful, strategic College awareness in the service area and across several stakeholder groups, including legislators, business and industry, faculty, staff and students, workforce and communities. * Identify strategic, research-based media opportunities and objectives via a close watch of market changes, analytics and developing news stories, specifically regarding academics, workforce and career/technical education initiatives and other areas of the College. * Collaborate with and supervise the public relations department for effective use of budget, time and resources. * Serve as the primary and responsive College contact for members of the media both locally and nationally, and maintain lists of subject experts, organizational data, stories and stats for relevant media coverage. * Manage projects and plan/organize events such as press conferences, exhibitions, open house, and press tours. * Be approachable and understanding of long-range planning and last-minute pivots and maintain effectiveness in either circumstance. * Direct overall college advertising campaign.  * Coordinate the printing, production and quality assurance of all brochures, flyers, and informational publications that relate to the College and its programs. * Provide marketing and media support for college sponsored events and activities on all campuses including those sponsored by the Foundation and Alumni Association. * Work with Police Department on Crisis Management Plan. * Direct crisis communications for emergency situations. * Oversee printing, production, and distribution of the annual College report and At A Glance. * Develop and implement a strategic plan for the public relations department. * Manage the public relations budget. * Represent the College on various local and state committee(s), taskforce(s) and/or professional organizations to advance the institutional mission and community quality of life. * Perform other duties as assigned by the President or Executive Vice President. * Comply with all policies of the Alabama Community College System and the College. The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of positions given this title and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments. Specific job-related duties assigned by hiring departments shall be consistent with the representative essential functions listed above and shall not be construed as expanding a particular position's role, scope, FLSA status, or grade. PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.   Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit.  The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in indoor conditions and regularly works near video displays. The noise level is mild to moderate. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: * Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations or a closely related field required * Five years of experience in public relations/marketing required PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: * Master's degree preferred * Minimum of three years of experience in a supervisory or leadership/administrative role preferred * Experience in photography and/or videography preferred * Excellent oral, written and interpersonal skills required * Experience in working with various forms of media required including print and electronic * Extensive writing and editing experience * Excellence in judgment and creative problem-solving skills * Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and public relations applications * Knowledge of emerging marketing communication trends, issues, and best practices impacting higher education and particularly two-year colleges PROJECTED STARTING DATE: October 2024   SALARY: Salary Schedule C2, $77,611-$120,346. Salary will be based on verified education and years of verified related experience that is stated on the initial job application only. APPLICATION DEADLINE: September 26, 2024 - 4:00 P.M.   APPLICATION PROCEDURE: Only complete application packages will be given consideration for employment.  Complete package consists of (a) Gadsden State Community College application, (b) letter of interest, (c) current resume, (d) copies of transcripts of postsecondary education, and (e) copies of current licenses / certifications.   Application materials must provide documentation that the applicant meets all minimum qualifications.    APPLICATIONS MUST BE FILED ONLINE AT:  https://www.gadsdenstate.edu/about-us/employment.cms     IF AT ANY POINT YOU HAVE PROBLEMS COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION, CONTACT THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT AT GADSDEN STATE (jobs@gadsdenstate.edu).     Please Note:  •   ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE ELECTRONIC- It is recommended that you have digital (such as pdf) copies of your cover letter, resume, employment verification documents (if applicable), ALL required transcripts, and any other document identified in the vacancy announcement ready when you begin the on-line application process. You will be given the opportunity to upload these during the process.  •    When you finish the steps to apply, you will receive an on-screen notice that you have successfully applied. HOWEVER, this notice does not mean your application materials are complete in accordance with the vacancy announcement.   All correspondence with applicants regarding the College's search process will be sent via e-mail.  If you need technical assistance, such as resetting your password or browser access issues after reviewing the instructions, please contact:    NEOGOV Customer Service:  Monday-Friday  8:00 am - 5:00 pm PST  (855) 524-5627     Applicants must adhere to the College's prescribed interview schedule and must travel at their own expense. Application materials are considered privileged and confidential and will be used for employment purposes only.   Gadsden State Community College is an equal opportunity employer. It is the official policy of the Alabama Community College System, including postsecondary institutions  under the control of the Board of Trustees, that no person in Alabama shall, on the grounds of race, color, disability, sex, religion, creed, national origin, age, or other classification protected by Federal or State law, be excluded from participation  in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity or employment. Gadsden State will make reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled applicants or employees. More than one position in the same job classification may be filled from the applicants for this position should  another vacancy occur during the search process. The College reserves the right to withdraw this job announcement at any time prior to the awarding. Any offer of employment is contingent upon a satisfactory criminal background investigation. This employer participates in E-Verify.