Director of Communications & Assistant Advancement Officer

Director of Communications & Assistant Advancement Officer

Southside Virginia Community College

Job Description   

Established in 1970, SVCC is one of the 23 colleges in the Virginia Community College System. SVCC is an accessible, comprehensive, public, two-year institution of higher education that serves approximately 183,000 residents from the counties of Brunswick, Buckingham (partial), Charlotte, Cumberland, Greensville, Halifax (partial), Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, Nottoway, and Prince Edward, and the city of Emporia. Ours is the largest community college service region in the state with a coverage area of approximately 4,200 square miles. The College has one Extension Campus located in Keysville, VA, and also has five Educational Centers located across the service area. The college is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award Associate degrees. SVCC is dedicated to the belief that all citizens should be given an opportunity to acquire an educational foundation which develops and extends their skills and knowledge. The College’s Mission Statement states that, “Southside Virginia Community College serves as a gateway to education, training, and employment opportunities by providing relevant and innovative programs responsive to the diverse communities we serve in a student-centered, inclusive environment.” Our Vision Statement states that, “SVCC is dedicated to inspiring excellence and transforming lives while contributing to the economic vitality of the communities we serve.”

Thank you for considering employment with Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC). We are committed to attracting and retaining a diverse workforce that enhances our status as a recognized Great College to Work For by the Chronicle of Higher Education in ten of the last eleven years, earning the additional distinction of Honor Roll in seven of those years! With the goal of academic excellence in all areas, the college offers a variety of occupational, technical, and university-parallel transfer programs to meet the diverse needs of approximately 4,700 credit students and 1,700 noncredit students. SVCC is committed to offering a world-class education in an actively supportive, caring, and student-centered environment, striving to ensure equal educational opportunity for all students, SVCC embraces diversity among our students, faculty, staff and the communities we serve as an integral part of our history, a recognition of the complexity of our present state and a call to action for a better future.

SVCC is located in a rural setting of rolling hills, pine and hardwood forests, and farmland. There is easy access to nearby metropolitan Richmond, Virginia, the state’s capital, as well as Raleigh, North Carolina, and Lynchburg, Virginia. The area is famous for its two lakes, Gaston and Kerr, and a multitude of state and national parks which offer recreational opportunities such as fishing, boating, skiing, jet-skiing, hiking, horseback riding, picnics, and relaxation. The area also offers sports arenas for baseball, softball, soccer and beautiful golf courses. There are cultural activities including various theaters and arts councils offering concerts, plays, and live entertainment, and there are many local festivals held throughout the year.

Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC) is seeking a Director of Communications and Assistant Advancement Officer. The Director of Communications and Assistant Advancement Officer must be an experienced, highly creative and motivated leader who is responsible for planning, development and implementation of all of the College’s marketing and communications plans and related strategies, and public relations activities, both external and internal. In addition, this position will be responsible for spearheading the SVCC Foundation’s annual fund strategy. This position reports to the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement. The successful candidate must be committed to our mission to provide quality education to a diverse constituency.

The successful candidate will reside on our Christanna campus in Alberta, however, will have college wide responsibilities serving all locations.

The following are duties of each area of responsibility:

• Oversee the communications office which includes the functional areas of public relations, strategic recruitment support, advertising, publications, graphic design, social media, and photography/videography
• Develop a comprehensive yearly marketing and communications plan that includes annual advertising, marketing and promotional strategies designed to promote and maintain enrollment, and highlight and advance the programs and services of the College
• Develop integrated marketing communications plans that promote enrollment, programs and initiatives, elevate the image of the College, and publicize student and faculty successes
• Coordinate the use of social media and digital marketing to market the College’s programs and communicate information to current and prospective students and the College’s service area communities and partners
• Oversee the development of high-quality, professional, timely and accurate publications, to include brochures, flyers, newsletters magazines and other related materials
• Evaluate communications efforts for effectiveness, impact and return on investment and planning
• Prepare and coordinate the flow of public information, marketing, recruiting, advertising and publications projects; set priorities and meet deadlines; cover events with event photography and press releases
• Proactively identify opportunities for media coverage to enhance the image of the college locally, regionally and statewide
• Manage and administer department budget in a cost-effective and fiscally-responsible manner
• Provide leadership in the development and implementation of an active internal communication plan for employees and students
• Provide marketing and communication leadership for the support of college initiatives that partner with schools, businesses and industries, and governmental agencies regionally and statewide
• Executes special appeals for the SVCC Foundation that encourages annual giving and engagement opportunities through direct mail and online media
• Oversees a strategy to grow the number of donors to the SVCC Foundation
• Assists in writing grants to attain funding for the College
• Serves on the college leadership team for emergency response management
• Serve as liaison to the Virginia Community College System Public Relations and Marketing office
• Represent the college as appropriate and attend off-campus events, which may involve evenings and/or weekends
• Duties as assigned by Director of Institutional Advancement and President of the College

She/he will also promote an environment that fosters student engagement while increasing strategic recruitment and retention. An understanding of the mission and goals of a comprehensive community college in the 21st Century and appreciation for rural colleges are essential characteristics, along with a clear commitment to student success.

KSA's/Required Qualifications        

• Experience leading creative and innovative projects to enhance agency image, branding and recruiting
• Demonstrated expertise in project planning, development and implementation
• Knowledge and experience in the use of social media, social media advertising and analytics
• Strong understanding of marketing and branding concepts.
• Ability to make data-driven decisions and to evaluate return on investments
• Demonstrated experience working with the media
• Must demonstrate excellent communication, written and verbal and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work as part of team
• Work experience in a development / fund raising office
• Maintain positive and professional tone in all communications
• Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or related field
• Minimum of 5 years related work experience and at least 2 years of experience at a supervisory level

Additional Considerations               

• Previous experience working in a higher education environment

Special Instructions to Applicants   

This position is open until filled; however, first review of applications will begin July 1, 2024. For initial consideration, a completed state application must be submitted by that date. The selection committee may determine the need to review additional applications after the initial review as needed.

This is a 12-month, full time position with state and VCCS benefits. Applicants must apply online by submitting a state application through this site. Applicants must create a user account to apply online. This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. Please refer to your VCCS applicant portal account for the status of your application and the status of this recruitment. For more information about this position or other vacancies within our agency, please visit our website at www.southside.edu/employment or contact Jennifer Davis at 434.949.1048.

Link for posting: https://jobs.vccs.edu/postings/73939

SVCC does not discriminate on the basis of race (or traits historically associated with race including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists); sex; color; national origin; religion; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age; veteran status; political affiliation; disability; genetic information; and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Shannon Feinman, Vice President of Finance and Administration, 109 Campus Drive, Alberta, VA 23821, 434-949-1005.

Women, minorities, and those with disabilities are encouraged to apply. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities act (ADA and ADAAA), SVCC will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing and selection processes.

We are a “Virginia Values Veterans” (V3) stage agency that provides hiring preference to Veterans and members of the Virginia National Guard in support of Executive Order 29, (2010). If you are a Veteran or Virginia National Guard Member, we urge you to respond accordingly on your state application.

The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link:  http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/

The Virginia Community College System, an EEO employer, welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and recognizes the benefits of a diverse workforce. Therefore, the VCCS is committed to providing a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications. We prohibit discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, mental or physical disabilities, political affiliation, veteran status, gender identity, or other non-merit factors.               

The VCCS is an EOE and Affirmative Action Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Acts (ADA and ADAAA), VCCS will provide, if requested, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing and selection processes.

VCCS uses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.