Director of Communications - Norwich University

Fulfills the mission of Norwich University by being responsible for strategic analytic leadership and tactical planning for the university's communications and public relations efforts. Developing effective messaging through media relations platforms and strategic multi-media communication plans, this position promotes the university's brand to all internal and external audiences, helps support enrollment goals, awareness, retention, engagement, partnerships, and support, drives positive university publicity, and oversees internal and external communications. Works collaboratively with senior leadership to develop and implement a cohesive vision for the university's communications strategy to raise the national, regional, and local profile of the university across many different constituencies, to convey its unique and distinctive attributes and to engage its constituencies.

Essential Functions

• Develops and implements a strategic, comprehensive, and proactive communication and outreach plan to raise the profile and reputation of Norwich.
• Acts as the primary university spokesperson to local, national, and international media on issues pertaining to Norwich.
• Develops relationships and works with media outlets and community stakeholders.
• Provides communication leadership, guidance and support to the President, Chief of Staff, Provost and other university leadership on policy issues and other matters of significance to the reputation and relationships of Norwich University.
• Responds to media requests.
• Gives interviews both on-camera and off-camera.
• Ensures all messaging is consistent across the university.
• Promotes innovative and creative approaches to communication.
• Produces and distributes news releases.
• Pitches university news to media and community groups aligned with topic.
• Places university experts in news coverage as quoted sources and/or at key events, conferences, etc. where Norwich expertise adds value.
• Develops, manages, and executes crisis communications protocol.
• Develops and refines Norwich's core messages to ensure organizational consistency and stakeholders and constituencies understanding.
• Identifies significant media and public policy issues that can be leveraged to support Norwich's brand.
• Oversees the development and implementation of "Safety at Norwich" communications plan.
• Manages functions of social media and internal communications.
• Integrates strategic university communications/editorial guidance into website News and Social Media elements.
• Manages Dean's list and graduation hometown news releases.
• Manages telephone on-hold script monthly update.
• Produces and writes articles.
• Presidential Communications:
  • Prepare the president to deliver university messaging.
  • Develop presidential messages.
  • Speech/column writing as needed.
• Designs a Community Relations Plan by determining needs and opportunities; establishing goals; defining action strategies for each goal; executing and determining effectiveness. Plan should develop, support, and integrate strategic community outreach to support Norwich branding efforts.
• Synthesizes communications and branding opportunities presented by key Norwich programs such as the Todd Lecture Series, NU Military Writers' Symposium, and others to integrate within Community Relations Plan.

Other Functions

• Maintains confidentiality of sensitive or private information.
• Communicates with employees, students, and others in a respectful and clear manner.
• Serves on University committees, councils, workgroups, or other designated bodies as assigned.
• Achieves, maintains proficiency in, and utilizes computers, telephones, and other job-related equipment, including related systems and software.
• Speaks, reads, and writes in English.
• Communicates by telephone, email, letter, in person, or other means or device.
• Performs other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

• Bachelor's degree required; in public relations, journalism, or other related field preferred. Additional years of experience may substitute for education.
• 5 years of experience in writing, editing, public relations, or related discipline
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, SharePoint, Teams, and Outlook)
• Able to sit, squat, reach, push, pull, and manipulate related equipment; lift 15 pounds; travel outdoors to various parts of the campus
• Work some evening or weekend hours
• Travel as needed (public or private transportation)

Environmental Conditions

• Indoor work at a computer workstation
• Low level of exposure to noise, dust, fumes, vibrations, and temperature changes.

Norwich University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing a positive education and work environment that recognizes and respects the dignity of all students, faculty and staff. Reasonable accommodations will be made for the known disability of an otherwise qualified applicant. Please contact the Office of Human Resources at nuhr@norwich.edu for assistance.

All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring immigration sponsorship, including but not limited to non-immigrant visas such as H1B, STEM, or F1, now or in the future. A post offer, pre-employment background check will be required of the successful candidate.