Associate Director, Communications and Public Relations

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Job Title:Associate Director, Communications and Public RelationsDepartment:FAES | Marketing and Communications

Job Description

The College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) is the cornerstone college of The Ohio State University, with three mission areas dedicated to one essential purpose: We Sustain Life. CFAES is one college spread across three campuses, with our faculty and staff split evenly among the three campuses. Comprised of ten academic units including the School of Environment and Natural Resources and Ohio State ATI, plus Ohio State University Extension, CFAES has 22 bachelors degree majors, 26 associate degree majors, and 34 minors. Students have the unique opportunity for hands-on learning with scholars and scientists in the field. The College values diversity and offers a supportive, open, and inclusive community.

The CFAES Marketing and Communications team serves as a strategic resource for the college. The team is responsible for setting marketing and communication strategies and plans that align with the initiatives and priorities of the college. The team supports the recruitment, retention, development, research, outreach, and issues management for the college. They are a group of strategic marketing and communication thinkers and doers who are both proactive and reactive, identifying opportunities and removing challenges to elevate awareness, enhance reputation and ultimately inspire choice for the college. The Associate Director, Communications oversees all earned media activities and public outreach for the college. They will report to the Senior Director, Marketing and Communications.

Position Summary

The Associate Director, Communications and Public Relations is responsible for providing leadership in developing and implementing comprehensive communication plans and strategies to enhance the college's visibility and reputation. This position is responsible for increasing awareness of CFAES, the colleges statewide role and elevation of its national reputation, and the research and innovation in agricultural, food and environmental sciences that takes place on its campuses. The Associate Director, Communications and Public Relations will provide strategic communications counsel for leadership across the college. They will serve as a liaison and consultant with respect to communications planning and execution for all college initiatives. This role will also lead communication staff in the CFAES Marketing and Communication team.

The Associate Director, Communications and Public Relations will develop public relations strategy that aligns with the colleges marketing and communications plan in support of college strategic priorities. This position, along with its direct reports, will proactively seek and secure earned media to position the college as a thought leader on key issues or emerging topics. A relationship builder and collaborator, the Associate Director, Communications and Public Relations will work closely with strategy and marketing colleagues within the marketing and communications team and across the college to identify opportunities. They will have a deep understanding of the colleges audiences and key stakeholders and how to reach them where they are.

The Associate Director, Communications and Public Relations identifies opportunities beyond earned media to reach the colleges audiences and key stakeholders including speaking engagements, awards submissions, community engagement opportunities and more. They will also be charged with coordinating messaging for external and internal reporting as required by the colleges leadership. They will play an integral role in positioning the colleges M&C team to be a go-to resource to support the marketing and communications needs of the college.

The Associate Director, Communications and Public Relations will identify and assist with training of expert sources within the college and will maintain a directory of faculty experts, both at the college and university level, in collaboration with CFAES departments. The Associate Director, Communications and Public Relations will track and measure outcomes of earned media and public relations activities, including development of reports and dashboards such as an annual measure of the colleges share of voice related to coverage.

This role will work closely with the universitys Office of Marketing and Communications, particularly on national media presence and issues management. They will also lead the development and implementation of the CFAES crisis communication planning and response, in conjunction with the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications and other college and university leadership.

This is a hybrid role, with a combination of remote and in-office work. This role must be willing to travel across the state for meetings and events.

Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, public relations or related field or equivalent experience and least five years of relevant experience in higher education, agency, or industry and at least three years of experience leading and/or managing a team. Demonstrated discretion and ability to handle sensitive information with confidentiality and professionalism.

Desired Experience

Knowledge and familiarity with higher education; experience fostering a collaborative and creative work environment; extensive experience in media and public relations, strategic planning, implementation and optimization; ability to communicative effectively with diverse audiences; superior oral, written, editing, and presentation skills; proven ability to deliver projects that achieve strategic priorities; ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities effectively. Experience working with generative AI technologies for communication purposes is a plus.

Additional Information:Location:Agricultural Administration (0003)Position Type:RegularScheduled Hours:40 Shift: First Shift Final candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process. Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions .The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.