Strategic Communications Coordinator

Job Description

Responsibilities:

1. Develops, tests, and sends College emails at the request and discretion of College leaders; Maintains schedule of all emails managed by the Office of Communications and Marketing; Provides user support on a variety of email service providers
2. Supports media relations objectives, strategies, and tactics through timely responses to incoming media inquiries and proactive promotion of College priorities; Drafts media advisories and press releases; Monitors media trends in higher education; Oversees tracking and measuring of media placements, including via the compilation and distribution of a weekly Media Highlights newsletter.
3. Manages development, compilation, review, and distribution of Skidmore Weekly Bulletin digital newsletter.
4. Provides support for strategic web-related projects and supports content creation as a web editor and best-practice advisor for cohesive digital experiences.
5. Troubleshoots and corrects issues in email, including basic code and design, testing, and management of recipient lists and data (i.e. maintenance) across multiple platforms and operating systems.
6. Addresses and monitors for ADA compliance issues as they relate to email presentation to ensure that templates, graphics, content, and delivery meet or exceed legal standards.
7. Supports crisis communications by leveraging emergency communication platforms and email as needed.
8. Assists OCM leadership in developing content distribution strategy, developing guiding policies and procedures, and supporting other divisional operations, including all-hands efforts in support of major College events.
9. Other duties as assigned.

This position requires a keen understanding of audience, relationship-building, reputation management, and the importance of clear, compelling, and timely communications. Responsiveness paired with proactive monitoring and planning is essential – as is a genuine curiosity about higher ed issues and the desire to creatively connect trends to opportunities for, or within, the Skidmore community. The position must often handle highly sensitive and confidential information, which requires discretion, tact, and expedient processing.

By assignment or self-direction, the position requires the ability to own projects from start-to-finish with steps that include arranging meetings with stakeholders, distilling information, collaborating with content producers, and submitting high-quality work for supervisor review.

Ongoing attention to Skidmore brand standards as well as communications and marketing goals is crucial to successfully support communication campaign strategy, content, and analysis.

The individual in this position must be able to troubleshoot and dependably utilize HTML and CSS coding to, for instance, create and modify email templates or webpages that meet deliverability standards across multiple platforms and operating systems.

The position also maintains responsibility for:

• Quality assurance and coordinating with email service providers to remediate issues with sender reputation, ISP complaints, and compliance with legal code
• User support on a variety of email marketing platforms for colleagues, developing and hosting training as needed
• Email list maintenance, including managing bounces, unsubscribes, and re-engagement campaigns.

This position interacts frequently with various members of the Skidmore community, including senior administrators, and department and unit chairs, among other faculty and staff. The ability to foster effective working relationships, provide satisfactory customer service, and offer professional guidance and recommendations on email, web, and communication best practices, including media training and guidance, is important. Skillful ability to ‘manage up’ across units or departments is key. The position will also, at times, serve as an institutional representative, building relationships with external constituents, including journalists, community leaders, and neighbors.

Education: Bachelors preferred, Associates required

Experience: The Strategic Communications Coordinator will be a professional with at least 1-3 years of hands-on experience in their field; Experience in community or public relations (including internships) is strongly preferred.

The core responsibilities of this position involve email campaign planning and programming, communication cycle management, content curation, and reputational management.

The Strategic Communications Coordinator must have a demonstrated understanding of project management and be able to provide support in planning and executing email marketing campaigns. Understanding of user interface design, working knowledge of standard industry applications, and the capacity to quickly learn and implement new applications is required.

The Coordinator must ultimately learn and maintain updated knowledge regarding applicable laws relating to email marketing, e.g. CAN-SPAM, and advise colleagues and campus constituents regarding application of those laws within email framework.

Competence as an instructor or coach on digital platforms is an asset, as is creative and technical writing for email, web, or media.

Key technical competencies:

• Experience with email service providers, (e.g., Staffbase, HubSpot) and basic related coding languages (HTML, CSS) is required.
• Experience in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Fireworks, Dreamweaver, Illustrator), PHP, content management systems, email testing platforms (Email on Acid, Litmus), email and web clients, project management tools, (e.g., Trello) is preferred.

Key skills:

• Comprehensive understanding of AP Style is preferred, or the ability and willingness to learn quickly
• Exceptional attention to detail
• Proven ability to identify and craft effective messages for various, diverse audiences and navigate the different tones and techniques for marketing, news, and media relations
• Ability to cut through the noise and listen between the lines, drilling down to the details that matters and quickly producing clear, concise communications
• Ability to prioritize deadlines and balance both fast-paced and long-term assignments
• Technology acumen to learn new systems and software

Required documents needed to apply:

• On-line application
• Cover Letter
• Resume
• List of Three References

Pay Range: $55,500 – $60,000 commensurate with experience

EEO STATEMENT

Skidmore College is committed to being an inclusive campus community and, as an Equal Opportunity Employer, does not discriminate in its hiring or employment practices on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, national or ethnic origin, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, predisposition or carrier status, domestic violence victim status, familial status, dating violence, or stalking, or any other category protected by applicable federal, state or local laws.

Employment at Skidmore College is contingent upon an acceptable background check result.

CREATIVE THOUGHT MATTERS.