Director of Marketing and Communications

The Director of Marketing and Communications is responsible for leading Lamar State College Port Arthur's marketing, communications, branding, media relations, digital strategy, and public information efforts. This role oversees the development and execution of institution-wide marketing campaigns, enrollment-focused communications, social media strategy, website and digital content, advertising, crisis and executive communications, community engagement, and brand management to support the college's mission and strategic goals. The position also manages the college's marketing budget, establishes communications processes and standards across departments, and serves as a key advisor on institutional messaging, visibility, and reputation. This position reports directly to the President. Marketing and Brand Strategy : Lead the development and execution of integrated marketing and brand strategies that strengthen awareness, engagement, and enrollment for the College. Oversee institutional campaigns, digital marketing, website content, social media, advertising, creative development, and branded communications across print and digital platforms while ensuring consistency in messaging and visual identity. Strategic Communications : Direct institution-wide communications initiatives that support the College's mission, reputation, and strategic priorities. Collaborate with campus leadership to develop proactive communications, media relations, community engagement, and storytelling efforts that elevate the visibility of the College locally, regionally, and statewide. Lead crisis, executive, employee, student, and external communications strategies while overseeing institutional social media planning and governance. Executive and Public Relations Support: Serve as the College's primary media contact and communications advisor as designated by the President. Provide strategic counsel, messaging, speechwriting, presentation support, and communications planning for the President, executive leadership, and institutional initiatives. Serve as a key member of the College's crisis communications, emergency response, and reputation management efforts, including rapid response messaging and coordination with internal and external stakeholders. Marketing Operations and Governance: Establish and maintain standards, processes, and workflows for institutional marketing and communications. Provide leadership and guidance related to brand management, content development, approvals, training, and communication practices across departments. Support cross-campus collaboration, evaluate communication effectiveness, and manage the institutional marketing budget. Content Development and Enrollment Marketing: Oversee the creation and production of institutional marketing and recruitment materials including websites, publications, brochures, presentations, digital campaigns, advertisements, videos, and other promotional content designed to support enrollment, student success, workforce partnerships, and community engagement. Enrollment Strategy and Recruitment Marketing : Partner closely with admissions, enrollment management, academic leadership, workforce training, and student services to develop data-informed marketing and communications strategies that support student recruitment, retention, re-enrollment, and enrollment growth across academic, workforce, dual credit, and continuing education programs. Media and Institutional Communications: Develop and distribute news releases, feature stories, executive communications, and public information related to College programs, students, faculty, staff, partnerships, and events. Cultivate and maintain effective relationships with media outlets, community organizations, governmental entities, and industry partners. Advertising and Campaign Strategy: Plan, manage, and evaluate advertising and outreach strategies across digital, social, print, video, and traditional media channels to support enrollment growth, institutional awareness, workforce development, and community engagement goals. Provides direct supervision and leadership for marketing and communications personnel, contractors, agencies, and student workers as assigned. Comply with all TSUS, LSCPA, state and federal policies, rules, and regulations. Other related duties, as assigned. Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Journalism, Mass Communications or related field from a regionally accredited college or university. Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, communications, public relations, branding, digital strategy, enrollment marketing, or related areas. Extensive knowledge of social media, planning, writing and editing publications, principles and methods of planning and conducting a communications and marketing programs. Valid driver's license. Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree in Marketing, Journalism, Mass Communications or related field from a regionally accredited college or university; significant additional professional experience (typically 3-5 years beyond the minimum required qualifications) may be considered in lieu of the preferred graduate degree. Experience working in public sector, higher education, government, nonprofit, or similarly complex mission-driven organizations. Experience leading and developing marketing and branding strategies for across complex organizations to achieve desired outcomes. Experience managing marketing budgets, vendor relationships, advertising placements, and campaign expenditures. Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Communicate effectively in writing and orally. Excellent interpersonal and relationship building skills. Excellent writing, editing and communications skills. Working knowledge of graphic design and video editing platforms, such as the those within the Adobe Creative Suite. Working knowledge of content management systems for website management, such as WordPress. Ability to analyze and interpret marketing performance data, web analytics, digital campaign metrics, and trends to inform strategy and decision-making. Knowledge of CRM platforms, marketing automation tools, and digital analytics platforms preferred. Demonstrated proficiency in leveraging social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.) and digital platforms to drive engagement, recruitment, and organizational visibility. Working knowledge of digital advertising products, such as those provided by Meta and Google Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and demonstrated ability to effectively use standard office technologies, including Apple and Windows-based systems, collaboration tools, and digital productivity platforms.