Executive Director for Marketing & Strategic Communications, Dedman School of Law (HR Title: Dir, Mktg & Communications)

DescriptionSalary Range: Salary commensurate with experience and qualificationsAbout SMUSMU’s more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University’s small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU’s relationship with Dallas – the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions – offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.About the Position:This role is an on-campus, in-person position.The Executive Director will lead the Dedman Law Marketing and Communications team implementing a cutting-edge marketing and communications strategy campaign to highlight the strengths of Dedman Law. Manage and enhance the school's brand image and messaging across various channels, including the law school’s website, email communications, and social media for faculty, staff, centers, clinics, etc. Work with the Dean and staff to implement a communications plan for key external audiences. Collaborate with faculty, media outlets, and stakeholders to enhance the law school's visibility. This role will be responsible for leading and actively producing high-impact storytelling that elevates the law school’s national visibility, strengthens faculty thought leadership, supports enrollment and alumni engagement, and reinforces Dedman Law’s distinct brand narrative. The goal of this position is to consistently produce high-quality, high-impact content while elevating the visibility and reputation of Dedman Law internally and externally—regionally, nationally, and globally. This is a hands-on role responsible not only for leading strategy, but also for directly creating, writing, and producing a high volume of content across channels.Essential Functions:Implement and execute a marketing and communications strategy to highlight the strengths of Dedman Law. Work with the Dean, the marketing and communications team, and other law staff in the administration to maintain an innovative communications plan for key external audiences. Maintain awareness of faculty scholarship, events, programs, faculty, staff, center, and clinic accomplishments that should be publicized.Lead and produce a high volume of regular content for the website, press releases, alumni magazine, social media, and alumni and stakeholder correspondence. Write and edit high-quality stories across faculty scholarship, student profiles, alumni leadership, clinics, centers, rankings, and institutional milestones. Own writing and editorial production for the website, digital content hubs, social campaigns, email, magazine features, admissions collateral, and donor communications.Partner with law faculty and media relations and develop written content that amplifies faculty scholarship, op-eds, and expert commentary.Develop and execute a law school-wide editorial content calendar aligned to institutional priorities. Monitor content performance and recommend new opportunities based on search trends and audience behavior. Establish writing standards, editorial workflows, approval timelines, and publishing processes.Optimize content for search engine optimization (SEO) and AI-driven generative search environments through keyword strategy, metadata, schema-informed structuring, and internal linking.Write scripts, develop storyboards, and contribute to the creation of video and multimedia content.Overall management of the school's brand image and messaging across various channels, including the law school website and social media for faculty, staff, centers, and clinics. Manage a team responsible for web, email communications, and social media presence, as well as oversee the creation of printed materials for internal and external use. This includes planning, writing, honing messaging, and overseeing communication tools such as the law school's monthly newsletter, email communications, annual magazine, media pitches, annual giving fundraising letters and emails, videos, presentations, speeches, and more.Establish and maintain relationships with media contacts and awareness of media coverage of Dedman Law. Draft and edit press releases and oversee public relations efforts to promote and enhance the law school's reputation and crisis management, if necessary. Connect with SMU central marketing and communications to ensure university brand guidelines are upheld and Dedman Law is accurately represented and promoted across print and digital channels.Assist the Dean, the law school administration, alumni relations, and development with various law school board meetings, events, lectures, and programs. Coordinate and communicate directly with key Dedman Law alumni and stakeholders for events and Distinguished Alumni Awards.Coordinate and communicate directly with key Dedman Law alumni and stakeholders for events and Distinguished Alumni Awards.Track deadlines, oversee internal and external data gathering, and alumni/peer/school/employer outreach efforts for law school rankings. Report ranking results to the key law school administration and appropriate external media outlets. Maintain awareness of new rankings and determine which ones are relevant for Dedman Law participation. Oversee and track marketing and external relations budget.Position requires attending/participating in some evening or weekend events as needed. QualificationsEducation and Experience:A Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably a degree in marketing, journalism, or communications. A minimum of seven years of experience in marketing and/or communications is required. A minimum of two years of supervisory/management experience is also required. Professional writing, editorial, and/or content strategy experience preferred. Experience in communications and/or marketing at a university, law firm, professional school, nonprofit, public or private organization is desired. Experience in higher education, legal education, or mission-driven institutions is a plus. Experience developing content for magazines or institutional publications is preferred. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University, foster productive internal and external relationships, and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong writing, editing, interviewing, and story-mining skills. Strong creative thinking skills and the ability to be a strategic thinker are essential.Candidate must have strong organizational, planning, and time management skills and the ability to prioritize/manage projects, meet deadlines, and delegate as appropriate to team members A strong focus on attention to detail and accuracy is essential.Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Strong project management skills are essential. The ideal candidate must have a high degree of autonomy and must exercise independent and good judgment. Must also have strong executive management skills to manage the Marketing and Strategic Communications Office and team.Candidate must have a strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (e.g. Word, Excel, Outlook) and Adobe Creative Cloud. Familiarity with CMS (Sitecore), GA4, and social analytics preferred. Experience with CRM systems and data management is required, Blackbaud or Salesforce CRM is highly preferred.Demonstrated expertise in SEO content strategy and GEO principles preferred Experience with digital publishing workflows desired. An understanding of law school rankings, and faculty scholarship ecosystems is a plus.Physical and Environmental Demands:Sit for long periods of timeDeadline to Apply:The position is open until filled. Priority consideration may be given to submissions received by July 13, 2026To be considered for this position, applicants are required to submit:A resume or CV; andA cover letter expressing why you are interested in the position and your relevant experience. EEO Statement:SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, View phone number on click.appcast.io, View email address on click.appcast.io:SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.Job Field: Marketing and CommunicationsJob Type: StaffOrganization: Dedman School of LawSchedule: Full-timeShift: Day JobJob Level: Manager with Direct ReportsTravel: NoEmployee Status: Regular