University of Wisconsin–Madison Hiring for Director of Communications Job at Madison, WI Full Time

JOB SUMMARY:

Overview

The Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement (DDEEA/Division), the central convener and leader for campus-wide diversity and inclusion outcomes at the University of Wisconsin Madison, is seeking a Director of Communications to provide strategic communications support around issues of equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging (EDIB) within the DDEEA and campus-wide. The Director of Communications will provide direction and oversight for a unit that includes the Communications team and the Events team, with a focus on raising the profile of campus EDIB efforts and outcomes for internal and external audiences.

Under the leadership of the Director, the DDEEA Communications team researches, produces and publishes pieces that include but are not limited to: articles, internal messages, news releases, social media posts, speeches for the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion and Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer (DVCDI/VPCDO), and other media content for the DDEEA and university websites. The team also develops communications plans and works in collaboration with key partners in University Relations.
The Director of Communications also provides oversight and direction for the DDEEA Events team, which develops, manages, and executes divisional and institution-level events in support of learning, engagement, and community building related to EDIB.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong proficiency in leadership-centering storytelling, including outstanding writing and editing ability and experience with the following platforms: podcasts, in-person events, social media and marketing campaigns. The candidate will also demonstrate the ability to effectively incorporate photography, infographics and/or interactive data visualization tools to boldly engage with audiences.

The Director of Communications supervises communications and events staff, oversees the unit budget, develops and maintains a cohesive brand identity for all divisional communications and events, and supports the Office of the DVCDI/VPCDO and University Relations in setting and attaining key EDIB communication goals.
This position reports to DDEEA?s Senior Operations Officer and Chief of Staff to the DVCDI/VPCDO.

About the Division of Diversity, Equity and Educational Achievement (DDEEA)
Under the direction of the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Diversity & Inclusion, Vice Provost and Chief Diversity Officer (DVCDI/VPCDO), the Division of Diversity, Equity & Educational Achievement (DDEEA/Division) supports the mission of the University of Wisconsin Madison as it works to create a diverse, inclusive, and excellent learning and work environment for all students, faculty, staff, alumni, and partners at the university. The DDEEA’s priorities are to increase access for underrepresented minorities in STEM; eliminate the achievement gap between majority and underrepresented students; recruit and retain more diverse students, faculty and staff; prepare all of our students to thrive personally and professionally in a world that is diverse, global, and interconnected; and enhance the campus climate to ensure every member of the UW community knows they belong. The DDEEA is comprised of administrative, education, scholarship, and service programs whose work overlaps with the core values of community, inclusion, organizational excellence, transparency, accountability, and social justice. The DDEEA collaborates, leads, and consults in efforts to seed new initiatives and coordinate numerous institutional efforts to support, guide, and promote these priorities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Communications Oversight
a. Provide oversight to the communications team, including establishing strategic direction, setting priorities that align with the strategic directives of the DVCDI/VPCDO, and monitoring compliance with laws/regulations, university policies and procedures, and relevant contractual obligations.
b. Develop, implement, and monitor strategic divisional communication plans that interweave marketing, messaging, leadership, and engagement to increase awareness of the DDEEA and the university’s pockets of excellence related to EDIB and in key equity-minded university initiatives.
c. Develop and implement policies and practices that position the unit to provide strategic communication support around issues of EDIB within the DDEEA and campus-wide.
d. Oversee the research, production, and publication of articles, internal messages, news releases, speeches for the DVCDI/VPCDO, and other content for the DDEEA and university partner websites.
e. Develop guidelines and protocols to enhance and maintain a cohesive divisional brand identity, promoting awareness across all communication platforms and events.
f. Develop award conventions, nomination processes, and organizational protocols in collaboration with campus partners to raise the profile of the DDEEA and ensure regular recognition of exemplars of excellence surrounding EDIB on campus.
g. Provide strategic allocation of staff and financial resources based on defined communication and events objectives and growth trajectories.

2. In collaboration with the DDEEA and campus-wide communicators, assume additional duties as assigned by the Senior Operations Officer and Chief of Staff or DVCDI/VPCDO including but not limited to:
a. Foster a prominent culture of inclusivity by identifying, establishing, and cultivating collaborative relationships and partnerships with colleagues in University Communications, University Marketing, as well as external media stakeholders.
b. Participate in campus-wide communication councils, committees, and task forces with a wide range of constituencies.
c. Lead various programs and/or university committees, as needed, on EDIB communication issues.
d. Advise and prepare the DVCDI/VPCDO on critical communication issues, interviews, and special projects, and represent the functional areas of supervision and/or DVCDI/VPCDO at appropriate meetings and events with internal and external stakeholders.
e. Collaborate with, and advise, other campus stakeholders on effective EDIB communication strategies.
3. Personnel Management & Supervision
a. Exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 FTE or equivalent employees.
b. Foster a culture of organizational learning, professional development, and continuous quality improvement among the communications and events teams.
c. Ensure staff practices correspond to the latest innovations (e.g., technology, procedures, processes) in effective communication, marketing, and outreach.

Responsibilities:

Directs communications strategic planning, and execution. Provides approval and guidance for communications including staffing and budgetary planning in support of institutional communication goals.

• 30% Develops, implements, and monitors strategic communication initiatives for designated audiences and internal stakeholders to maximize engagement and strengthen collaboration efforts
• 30% Identifies, establishes, and directs media relationships and partnerships with internal and external sources
• 10% Identifies, proposes, and implements new or revived operational policies and procedures
• 10% Audits and directs day-to-day operational plans to align with strategic initiatives and to meet established objectives
• 20% Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees

INSTITUTIONAL STATEMENT ON DIVERSITY:
Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

EDUCATION:

Required
Bachelor’s Degree
Degree in English, Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field

Preferred
Master’s Degree
Master’s or advanced degree in communications, marketing, or a related discipline.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

– Professional experience in news media or public relations, preferably in work related to higher education.
– Outstanding research, writing and editing skills across multiple platforms and the ability to create and implement strategic communications and marketing plans.
– Detailed knowledge and understanding of issues and communications relevant to equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging, particularly within a large and complex organization.
– Knowledge of and experience with news media operations and protocols, from the research process through effective dissemination.
– Ability to exercise discretion when handling sensitive or confidential material.
– Ability to work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds (e.g., senior campus leadership, faculty, staff, students, alumni, communications colleagues, community members, and news media).
– Ability to anticipate public events that can be used to advance institutional objectives, or that might spark a crisis, and address them accordingly.
– Excellent organizational skills to manage multiple projects and perform efficiently and courteously in a fast-paced environment while balancing numerous priorities and a varying workload. Must have superior multitasking skills; quick turnaround without sacrificing quality.
– Ability to work with website content management systems.
– Record of implementing new technologies and new communication tools.
– Thorough knowledge and understanding of current events, issues, and developments in higher education in general, and large public institutions of higher education in particular, with a focus on equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging.
– Ability to work independently and set priorities while exercising flexibility, initiative, and self-motivation.
– Proficiency with Microsoft Office and collaborative suites (e.g., Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Google docs).
– Excellence in attention to detail.
– Excellence in judgment and decision-making.
– High integrity, diplomacy, and tact.
– Ability to lead and empower a team toward a shared goal.
– Demonstrated competency in budget management.

Preferred:
– 5 years full-time professional experience in news media or public relations, preferably in work related to higher education.

COVID-19 CONSIDERATIONS: UW-Madison continues to follow necessary health and safety protocols to protect our campus from COVID-19. All employees remain subject to the COVID-19 Workplace Safety Policy: https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-5086. Please visit https://covidresponse.wisc.edu for the most up-to-date information.

WORK TYPE:

Full Time: 100%

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

APPOINTMENT TYPE, DURATION:

Ongoing/Renewable

SALARY:

Minimum $84,800 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
The minimum salary for this position is $84,800, actual pay will depend on experience and qualifications.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

DEPARTMENT(S):

A020503-GENERAL SERVICES/A0205/G SERV/COMMUNICATIONS

HOW TO APPLY:

To begin the application process, click the “Apply Now” button. Please submit a cover letter referring to your related work experience, a resume detailing your educational and professional background, and a list of five professional references.

CONTACT:

Kayla Eckerty
[email protected]
608-890-4609
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1 (out-of-state: TTY: 800.947.3529, STS: 800.833.7637) and above Phone number (See RELAY_SERVICE for further information. ) _
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The University of Wisconsin is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
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If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/
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Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.
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The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
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The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.
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Location: 21 North Park Street, Madison, WI 53715

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $84,000.00 per year