Director, Communications

Director of Communications

Yale University seeks a dynamic and strategic communications professional to join its Office of New Haven Affairs and University Properties team as the Director of Communications. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for New Haven Partnerships and Development, this individual will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing the department's communications strategy, ensuring clear, effective, and timely messaging on all matters relating to the interaction between Yale University and the New Haven Community.

The Director will serve as the primary communications liaison on matters of engagement between Yale University and the New Haven Community. The Director of Communications will lead efforts to promote a culture of consistent strategic proactive messaging in partnership with the Office of Public Affairs & Communications during crisis situations.

This individual will work with various internal departments to ensure that the university's community engagement messages align with its mission, values, and priorities.

Strategic Communication Leadership: Develop and execute a comprehensive communications strategy for the Office of New Haven Affairs and University Properties, ensuring the dissemination of proactive, coordinated and impactful messaging.

Media and External Relations: Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets. Act as the primary point of contact for media inquiries related to public safety incidents and policies, ensuring the university's perspective is clearly communicated.

Community Engagement and Education: Design and implement communications campaigns that engage the Yale community in community outreach initiatives, including programming through The Shops at Yale, programs in New Haven Public Schools and work with New Haven non-profit organizations.

Digital and Social Media Strategy: Oversee the department's digital presence, including social media platforms, to ensure that community engagement messages are disseminated promptly, effectively, and engaging. Monitor digital channels to assess public sentiment and address concerns promptly.

Internal Communication: Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure the effective flow of information regarding initiatives at the intersection of the University and City. Support initiatives that enhance communication between ONHA and other departments within the university.

Performance Measurement and Reporting: Track and evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies through metrics such as engagement, media coverage, and feedback from the campus community. Regularly review communication plans to incorporate lessons learned and emerging best practices.

Required Skills and Abilities

1. Ability to develop and execute on a multi-year strategic communications plan considering multiple content areas, multiple audiences and multiple forms of media.

2. Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences.

3. Strong media relations expertise, including managing inquiries, building relationships, and crafting effective press materials. Proven experience managing complex, communication efforts, and media relations.

4. Demonstrated experience in developing communications, with the ability to work under pressure and make decisions in fast-paced environments.

5. Familiarity with social media platforms and digital communication tools.

Preferred Skills, Education and Abilities

1. Ability to collaborate with colleagues across a wide range of departments and divisions to achieve strategic objectives. Strong leadership skills, with experience managing and mentoring staff to meet organizational goals.

2. Familiarity with higher education culture and the unique interests of university communities.

Principal Responsibilities

1. Manages relationships with external media sources. Pursues media coverage creatively and aggressively. Responds to inquiries from national and international news media, student media, the University community and the general public.

2. Enhances the overall quality of media relations for key stakeholders by preparing them for media interviews. Manages relationships with key campus stakeholders with a high degree of professionalism, judgment and understanding of stakeholder goals.

3. Creates compelling story ideas and narratives; produces content for both external and internal channels; writes copy and social media posts and manages content.

4. Plans social media strategies for key University communications and programs. Monitors University social media assets for negative comments or misinformation.

5. Supports short- and long-term communication planning with insights into audiences, channels and culture; coordinates with other communications professionals to achieve institutional goals; leads the communications process within developed standards and protocols.

6. Supports effective response strategies, often in crisis situations requiring 24/7 attention and intense media/public scrutiny, and articulates the University's position via personal interviews or written responses.

7. Produces multimedia content and manages the work of graphic and web designers, student interns, printers, video producers and photographers.

8. Manages communication plans for all stakeholders by understanding the significance of campus initiatives and/or academic work; creates compelling stories and messages to translate the significance through language that is clear and accessible for public awareness.

9. Develops and maintains regular contact with media representatives in multiple disciplines.

10. Maintains the Yale brand and graphic identity standards; supports and maintains standard operating procedures; contributes to digital asset management.

Required Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications or related field and five years of experience in public relations, journalism, television, corporate communications or agency work or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated experience in developing communications for a range of media and working with creative professionals in design, photography or video.