Manager Of Communications - Princeton University
Princeton, NJ
About the Job
Overview
The Manager of Communications is a key part of the Keller Center leadership team working closely with the Executive Director, Center leadership peers and Center faculty in designing and executing an integrated approach to policy and strategic direction for the Center which includes participating in and contributing to short and long-term leadership team planning sessions. The Manager reports to the Executive Director.
The Manager will lead the Center’s Communication and Event strategy and will be a key thought partner to the Executive Director in addressing communications strategy. The Manager will design a strategic communication plan that is aligned with the overall objectives of the Center and will also define the Center’s underlying communication priorities and metrics. The Manager will also manage the Center’s branding and high-level messaging. The Manager will seek to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of communication processes in the spirit of continuous improvement including clarifying roles within those processes.
The Manager of Communication is directly responsible for overseeing the daily/weekly execution of all communication and event activities. This includes managing the overall communications schedule. This also includes overseeing content creation activities such as writing stories, coverage of events, video creation and photography. The Manager also oversees the distribution of content across all communication channels including website, social media, outbound email, physical mailers, posters and event invitations. The Manager will also be the lead person in editing content created by others in the department. In addition to managing communications activities the Manger will act as an individual contributor creating individual content pieces, attending events, etc.
A key component of the Manager’s role will be collaborating with and fulfilling the needs of other members of the Center including faculty members and program managers. The manager will listen to their needs, design tailored solutions and deliver them top stakeholders within agreed upon deadlines.
The Manager of Communications will have two direct reports, the Communications Coordinator and the Events Coordinator. The Manager will be a strong leader who clearly delineates expectations of direct reports in alignment with the needs of the Center. The Manager will develop the capabilities of their direct reports within a collaborative and high performing work environment.
The Keller Center has on average 25 affiliated faculty, half of which are tenure track and the other are practitioner faculty; 1-2 visiting faculty, and 16 administrative staff. The Keller Center reaches about a quarter of the undergraduate student body with its courses every single year through its 25+ courses and 2 certificate programs. The Center reaches hundreds more with its flagship and signature co-curricular programs including the eLab, Tiger Challenge, PSIP, student project funding, and via its makerspace. Additionally, the Center offers robust programming for faculty with the Innovation Forum, the Program in Institutional and Historical Racism in Engineering, Technology and Innovation, as well as the Design for Innovation Program. The Keller Center is geographically dispersed in three locations with a) faculty and staff offices in the EQuad, b) offices, creative classrooms and a makerspace in the H-Wing of the Equad and c) offices and co-curricular programming space in the 15,000 square foot entrepreneurial hub at 34 Chambers which the Keller Center manages.
Responsibilities
Execution of Communication & Event Deliverables:
Manage the overall schedule for communications and event activities across the department. Ensure resources have been assigned to execute all required tasks. Play a role as an individual contributor in executing some of those tasks. Manage outside vendors as required.
Regularly meet with academic and programmatic leaders within the department to understand their communications and event needs and translate those needs into agreed upon deliverables with required due dates. Meet all promised deadlines.
Play the role of lead editor of content created by others across the department.
Ensure the Keller Center’s website is a dynamic information resource for news and information on academic and co-curricular programs, events, and awards. Align all marketing and communications activities including news coverage, social media, newsletters, posters, etc. in service to the goals of the Center.
Utilize effective composition, visual design, and editorial skills to ensure that communications adhere to the Keller Center’s visual standards and comply with University policies and embody usability best practices.
Oversee the department’s event activities including managing the events coordinator. Collaborate with the Event Coordinator around event design decisions. Ensure event activities are well coordinated with the academic and co-curricular arms of the department.
Ensure events are well promoted and attended. Attend events when appropriate.
Develop and Steward Center Communication Strategy:
Develop and implement communication strategies that convey the Center’s mission and priorities, increase visibility, and expand ecosystem engagement. Promote the Keller Center’s programs, events and outreach activities to engage broad audiences including faculty, students, alumni, and the public.
Develop and evolve the strategic branding, graphics and messaging frameworks for the Center that serve as the high-level communications architecture that all other communications end products produced by the Center fall within.
Personnel Management:
Manage two direct reports. Set role expectations, provide weekly guidance, offer ongoing feedback and coaching and conduct annual performance reviews. Ensure direct reports have the resources they need in place to accomplish their objectives.
Support the Executive Director with hiring, performance improvement, reclassifications, staff development, award nominations and terminations of Keller's administrative staff. Supervise the professional development and personal needs of staff.
Center Leadership:
Be a thought partner to the Executive Director in addressing department level issues and opportunities. Partner with Executive Director in supporting the department’s annual and long-term strategic planning processes. Systematically assess, develop, enhance and implement the necessary business practices, processes, systems, protocols, and standards to support staff, student, faculty and program alignment goals of the Center.
Be a key decision maker on certain operational topics allowing the Director to have more time to concentrate on executing the department’s strategic priorities. Collaborate with the Executive Director in setting agendas for department wide meetings and oversee follow-up of resulting key action items.
Campus Wide Communication Representative:
Represent the Keller Center at campus wide communication meetings. Ensure Center communication approaches operate within University guidelines. Identify synergistic communications opportunities with other campus partners. Leverage University investments in communications technologies for the benefit of the Center.
Qualifications
Essential qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree and 7+ years of related experience
- Demonstrated leadership, problem-solving, decision-making, and communications skills.
- Demonstrated experience in successfully leading and executing the communications plan for an organization over an extended period of time.
- Ability to fulfill short term needs in alignment with long term strategic priorities.
- Ability to bring creativity into the problem-solving process and develop approaches that are superior and enduring.
- Experience managing direct reports within the communications and event realm.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop talent.
- Broad knowledge of the communication field crossing both digital media, traditional media, branding, the content development (written, video, photography).
- Strong writing and editing skills. Strong collaboration skills including the ability to define and fulfill internal customer requirements.
- Superior organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple priorities. Ability to anticipate and initiate appropriate action in support of the Center's strategic vision.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate in a manner that is professional, objective, and easily understood.
Preferred
- Master’s or advance degree preferred
- 7 - 10 year’s experience within the communications discipline
- 3 - 5 years managing direct reports
- Previous experience working within higher education or the innovation/entrepreneurial ecosystem a plus
Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
