Executive Director for External Affairs

General Summary

Leads the association in fulfilling its mission as the “voice of Catholic higher education,” as manifested in its communications and external relations. Leads the process to articulate the communications vision and strategy, including marketing, media relations, and publishing. Advances the value proposition of the association and of Catholic higher education as a sector. Oversees website and electronic communications, including social media.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

1. Communications Strategy, Vision, and Leadership

• Creates comprehensive communications strategy, including media relations, marketing, and publishing activities for both the association and for CHE as a sector.
• Contributes to strategic planning through effective integration of communications.
• Provides leadership to staff in promoting a culture of clear and consistent messaging.
• Serves as website administrator, to ensure effective user experience.
• Ensures appropriate training of staff on website and member database.
• Manages and executes social media strategy, including selection and initiation of new technologies to advance association’s goals.
• Oversees development of graphic designs and other creative materials.
• Supervises the Marketing Associate.

2. Marketing

• Creates and executes marketing and communications strategy for programs, events, and initiatives.
• Leads the development of a “value proposition” campaign for the association in an effort to retain members.
• Ensures the timely development of marketing and promotional pieces.
• Publicizes news related to association services and activities; writes press releases as necessary.
• Oversees effective execution of social media strategy; reviews analytics and adjusts strategy, as necessary.

3. Media Relations

• Working with the president, drafts association position statements and public responses to issues of major concern.
• Develops and maintains relationships with religious, education, and general news media; responds to all media inquiries and arranges interviews with ACCU staff and members; speaks with reporters for attribution, as appropriate.
• Oversees preparation of staff and volunteers for interviews with the press, writes association talking points.
• Oversees dissemination of data in support of association mission and to underscore talking points.

4. Publishing

• Serves as editor of Update; produces, distributes, and promotes quarterly newsletter.
• Writes and directs the association’s annual report; works with graphic designer to coordinate layout; works with all staff to identify content for on-line distribution.
• Serves as editor of other ACCU publications and reports, as necessary, performing copyediting and production (or working with design consultant); executes printing and distribution tasks, including setting pricing and posting to online store, as appropriate.

5. Grant Writing

• Identifies partnerships with foundations, both in higher education and in the Catholic space.
• Supports both programmatic and operational grant seeking, writing, and securing and serves as the grant manager/liaison with the funder.
• Submits grant proposals at least once a quarter on behalf of the association.

6. Association Assistance

• Assists with the execution of the Annual Meeting.
• Oversees the production of annual awardee videos.
• Scripts president’s remarks for opening banquet.
• Choreographs opening banquet program.
• Directs Annual Meeting photography.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Master’s degree in communications, journalism, or a related field.

Experience: Five to eight years of demonstrated, progressive experience in communications within an association or institution of higher education. Experience within a Catholic setting is preferred.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Respect for the teachings of the Catholic Church.
• On-campus higher education experience.
• Ability to work cooperatively in achieving organizational goals.
• Demonstrated abilities in planning and execution of communications activities, including public relations, media, marketing, publishing, or a related field.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and verbal and written communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and other communications-related software programs.