Job Description
Director of Communications and Marketing Manhattanville University
Department: Communications and Marketing
Reports to: Vice President of Advancement and External Relations
Effective Date: July 15, 2025
# of Direct Reports: 3
# of People Supported: 3
Job Description:
The Director of Communications and Marketing is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communication, marketing, and branding strategies that advance Manhattanville University's mission, vision, and strategic goals. As a key member of the Advancement and External Relations team, the Director plays an integral role in supporting the University's fundraising, alumni engagement, enrollment, and public relations efforts. This position leads initiatives designed to enhance brand awareness, protect and promote the University's reputation, and contribute to key institutional success metrics.
The Director oversees a wide range of strategic communications efforts, including advertising and media campaigns, media relations, web content, social media strategy and messaging, university publications, community relations, and public affairs. In addition, the Director leads the implementation of marketing research and market segmentation strategies to inform and refine messaging across audiences.
The Director will collaborate closely with the Vice President for Enrollment Management, who oversees integrated direct response marketing for undergraduate and graduate recruitment. This is a hands-on leadership role, requiring a collaborative communicator who can manage, develop, and produce high-quality content and campaigns across platforms to ensure clarity, consistency, and impact.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
• Recruit and manage a team to support the development and execution of marketing communications and community relations strategy.
• Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.
• Mentor and develop staff using a supportive and collaborative approach consistently.
• Establish and monitor staff performance and development goals, assign accountabilities, set objectives, establish priorities, conduct annual performance appraisals, and administer salary adjustments.
Duties/Responsibilities:
• In collaboration with the Vice President for Advancement and External Relations, the Director of Communications and Marketing will develop and implement a comprehensive strategic communications plan that supports the goals of the Office of Advancement and External Relations. This plan will aim to advance Manhattanville's brand identity, expand awareness of the University's programs and offerings, and elevate the visibility of its initiatives and campus event spaces among key stakeholder audiences.
• Serve as the chief writer and content strategist for the Office of Communications, responsible for crafting high-quality, compelling written materials—including executive messaging, speeches, press releases, web content, marketing collateral, and internal communications.
• Manage internal/external resources to maximize creative production and promote organizational efficiency.
• Oversee emergency and crisis communication for the University.
• Develop core marketing, positioning, and brand strategy messaging.
• Monitor and assess emerging issues and challenges affecting the University. Collaborate with leadership and key stakeholders to identify internal and external communication opportunities and develop and implement strategic responses that support institutional goals and priorities.
• Serve as a key communications strategist and advisor to institutional leadership
Required Skills/Abilities:
• Oversee development of the University's print communications, marketing collateral materials, and electronic communications, including website content and new media; manage relationships with associated vendors.
• Serve as a spokesperson and lead point person on media interactions that help promote and/or impact the institution.
• Exercise judgment to prioritize media opportunities and prepare talking points, speeches, presentations, and other supporting material as needed.
• Oversee the day-to-day activities of the Office of Communications function including social media and website management, content development, budgeting, planning, and staff development.
• Compose and edit written materials as needed and serve as final approval for university communications projects (newsletters, magazines, brochures, social media posts, etc.).
• Actively engage, cultivate, and manage press relationships to ensure coverage surrounding Manhattanville's programs, leadership, faculty, students, staff, special events, and public announcements.
Qualifications:
• Proven ability to provide creative direction while collaborating with and inspiring a creative team of professionals, interns, and consultants.
• Extensive successful writing and editing experience with a variety of print and online communications media.
• Demonstrated experience and leadership in managing a comprehensive strategic communications department, including media relations, as well as internal and external marketing communications programs to advance an organization's mission and goals.
• Demonstrated experience in the creation, execution, and analysis of digital media campaigns.
• Innovative thinker with a track record for translating strategic thinking into action plans and implementation.
• Creative and thoughtful on how new media technologies can be utilized when appropriate.
• Self-reliant, good problem solver, results oriented.
• Excellent written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Ability to develop and execute strategic messages while being a leader and team player.
• Ability to think quickly with a clear, brand-consistent voice.
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills.
• Ability to make decisions in a changing environment and anticipate future needs.
• Strong competency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite, web content management systems, and social media platforms.
Education:
• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, or related field is required
Experience:
• Minimum 5+ years of experience in a management position in higher education; marketing communications is preferred
Physical Requirements:
• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
Hours Expectation:
• Full-time, 35 hours per week
Housing:
• Housing is not provided.
Benefits:
Manhattanville University also offers a highly competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including tuition remission. For more information regarding benefits, please visit our benefits page: Manhattanville Benefits
Manhattanville University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and other applicable federal and state statutes, all recruiting, hiring, training, and promoting for all job classifications will be administered without regard to race, color, ancestry, age, sex, national origin, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, military veteran status or other applicable status protected by law, including state of employment protected classes. If you are unable to complete this application process, contact Manhattanville Human Resources at
[email protected] to ask for assistance.
To apply, visit
Job Tags
Full time, Work at office,