Southwestern University, located in Georgetown has an immediate opening for a Director of Communications and Public Relations. The Director of Communications and Public Relations is responsible for strategically shaping the university’s image and information dissemination. This role plays a critical part in safeguarding the university’s reputation and ensuring effective messaging to both internal and external audiences. This is a full-time, fully benefited, exempt position who reports to the Vice President for Integrated Communication & Marketing.

Primary Duties:

• Develop and execute a comprehensive communication strategy that aligns with the university’s mission, vision, and goals.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with members of the media, including journalists and reporters, to promote positive coverage and manage crisis communications when necessary.
• Ability to craft speeches and talking points for the university president and other senior leaders for a variety of internal and external events.
• Ability to handle crisis communication situations, responding promptly and effectively to protect the university’s reputation.
• Manage public relations initiatives and campaigns to enhance the university’s visibility and reputation.
• Oversee the creation and distribution of various communication materials, such as press releases, newsletters, reports, and web content.
• Develop and implement social media strategies to engage with the university’s community and the general public, and monitor online reputation.
• Ensure consistent and effective communication within the university, facilitating information flow among various departments and units.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field
• 5 years of communications and public relations experience
• Expertise in online media, including email, Web, and social media
• Agility under pressure, effectively handling tight deadlines, unexpected delays, revisions, ad hoc requests, and changing priorities
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate effectively with team members and colleagues across the university
• Excellent editing and proofreading skills
• Familiarity with AP and Chicago styles
• Organization, attention to detail, and ability to follow through
• Proficiency with Microsoft and Google suites
• Commitment to the University’s core values, including fostering a climate of multicultural understanding, appreciation, and respect for cultural differences within the campus and community.
• Ability to work in a typical office environment with or without accommodations

Southwestern University offers competitive salary and benefits including health, dental, life, long term disability, retirement, paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, under graduate tuition assistance for yourself and your dependents, access to athletic facilities, free parking and discounted meal rates. Southwestern University is a selective, undergraduate institution committed to a broad-based liberal arts, sciences, and fine arts education. Southwestern University is deeply committed to fostering a diverse educational environment and especially encourages applications from members of groups traditionally under-represented in academia. For information concerning the University, visit our Web site at www.southwestern.edu.

To apply: The University will only accept application materials through Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/137724. Interested persons must submit a letter of interest, resume, the name and contact information of three professional references, and salary expectation. Email and paper applications will not be accepted. Only completed applications will be reviewed by the Search Committee. The Committee will review all completed applications until the position is filled. All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of the University’s Background Check Policy process. Southwestern University is an E-Verify employer. EOE/M/F

Inclusion is the deliberate effort to create an environment in which people from all backgrounds* are not only included but welcomed, valued, respected, considered, and supported within our community. People from marginalized (i.e., devalued) and/or minoritized (i.e, underrepresented) groups are heard, seen, respected and accepted in all aspects of our community. Southwestern University is committed to inclusive excellence that provides access and support, enables participation, and removes barriers so that all people within our community are empowered and can thrive in a campus that is welcoming and validating.

*including but not limited to people of color (race, ethnicity, nationality), sex, sexual identity, gender identity, age, physical and mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, religion, immigrants, and the intersection of these identities.

Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report— Southwestern University Annual Safety and Fire Report is available online at https://www.southwestern.edu/life-at-southwestern/safety-security/annual-security-reports/ containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information for the past three calendar years. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 512-863-1435.