Director -Communications (DO)

Director Communications

City Colleges of Chicago(CCC) district level Marketing and Communications Department strives to create and maintain a strong, highly integrated district wide strategic marketing plan, essential to promoting the City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) brand, building public awareness and a positive image of CCC, and supporting student recruitment strategies. In addition, the external communications program advances City Colleges strategic performance goals and leverages the coordinated resources of the Office of Institutional Advancement.

Reporting to the Executive Director-Communications, the Director Communications (DO) is responsible for implementing district-wide communications strategies and developing messaging and content to advance internal and external awareness of CCCs seven colleges, programs, and initiatives.

The Director- Communications serves as an experienced, organized project manager responsible for managing the logistics of content development, producing communications materials, overseeing staff involved in content creation, and executing communications plans. The position maintains a strategic perspective of City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) and cultivates collaborative relationships with key stakeholders across the district to:

1. Inform employees of institutional strategy, goals, policies, and procedures, and seek input to shape new or revised policies and practices.
2. Inform students of relevant opportunities, initiatives, policies, and resources.
3. Research, develop, and guide the implementation of internal communication campaigns.
4. Strengthen districtwide communication capacity to ensure strategic and operational priorities are consistently conveyed to all stakeholders.

Essential Duties

• Assists the Executive Director-Communications in the planning and execution of communication initiatives designed to increase understanding of and support for CCCs strategic direction.
• Develops and implements the internal communications strategies to inform students and employees about policies and practices, opportunities, emergencies, deadlines, and other key information.
• Oversees the development and editing of a wide range of content materials for internal and external audiences, including remarks, video scripts, talking points, blog posts, print materials, and other content as needed.
• Drafts communications designed to inspire CCC employee engagement, satisfaction, and productivity.
• Develops communications that drive awareness of CCC colleges and programs to support enrollment and strategic initiatives.
• Analyzes and enhances the effectiveness of internal communications by evaluating stakeholder engagement, message reach, and responses to district policies and procedures. Provides data-driven insights and conducts research on industry best practices to strengthen internal communications.
• Aligns key internal stakeholders (including district and college contacts) around internal communications.
• Prepares communications materials to share progress with key internal and external stakeholders.
• Monitors emerging issues and proactively develops communications strategies to address them.
• Works in close collaboration with other members of the Marketing and Communications Department (video, marketing, design, web, etc.) to ensure projects are aligned and executed in a timely manner.
• Supports public relations activities and media events.
• Provides supervision of the Content Manager.
• Adheres to CCC Customer Service Excellence standards.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Reporting Relationships

Reports To Executive Director-Communications

Direct Supervision Content Manager

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Communications, Marketing, Advertising, Public Relations or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in communications, marketing, or public relations.
• Three to five (3-5) years of experience in internal communications or a comparable communications leadership role is strongly preferred.
• Proven track record of successfully facilitating and executing comprehensive communications strategies.
• Knowledge of effective uses of communications media, including print, social media, web, video, design and digital marketing.
• Excellent writing and editorial skills with the ability to craft messaging for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a team in a fast-paced communications environment.
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to communicate with individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to remain composed under pressure, address sensitive issues with professionalism, and maintain confidentiality as required.
• Ability and willingness to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).

Salary Range: $92,866 - $95,000

Offered salary will be determined by the applicant's education, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as other factors such as internal equity.

Benefits information is found at

WE OFFER: Excellent health and welfare benefit package and long-term savings and investment programs including 403(b) & 457(b) Investment Plans and a pension plan with the State University Retirement System (SURS) Plan. Generous vacation, holiday, personal and sick days, and tuition reimbursement. For a more detailed overview of benefits, please visit the benefits page of our website.

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Chicago residency is required for all full-time employees within 6 months of hire.

Thank you for your interest in CCC!