Director of Community Relations & Marketing
San Mateo County Community College District
Posting Number: 4C0340
Location: College of San Mateo
Department:
Position Number: 4C0340
Percentage of Full Time: 100%
FLSA: Exempt (does not accrue overtime)
Months per Year: 12
If other, please specify:
Min Salary: $161,256 (annual)
Max Salary: $204,252 (annual)
Position Type: Administrative/Supervisory Positions
Who We Are:
The San Mateo County Community College District is committed to achieving educational equity for all students. As outlined in the District’s Strategic Plan, “success, equity, and social justice for our students are longstanding goals.” The District’s “Students First” Strategic Plan is focused on “Student Success, Equity and Social Justice.” We provide students with a rich and dynamic learning experience that embraces our commitment to provide quality education and promote life-long learning — emphasizing collaboration and engaging students in and out of the classroom, encouraging them to realize their goals, and to become global citizens and socially responsible leaders. When you join our San Mateo County Community College District team, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice. We achieve this through broad collaboration among faculty and classified staff, administration, students and community partners.
The College and the District:
College of San Mateo (CSM) is part of the San Mateo County Community College District and is a Hispanic Serving Institution and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution. The college enrolls approximately 15,000 students each academic year. CSM has a diverse student population that is a reflection of the communities that it serves. Detailed information about the student population, including data related to student success, can be found on College of San Mateo’s Office of Planning, Research, Innovation, & Effectiveness (PRIE) website.
Who We Want:
We value the ability to serve students from a broad range of academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, racial and ethnic backgrounds. We prioritize applicants who demonstrate an understanding of the benefits that diversity brings to a professional educational community. The successful candidate will be an equity-minded individual who is committed to collaborating with faculty, classified staff, administration, students and community partners in strengthening the culture of equity and antiracism throughout the District. The San Mateo County Community District seeks employees who value mentorship and working in a collegial, collaborative environment, guided by a commitment to helping students achieve their educational goals.
The Position:
This position is responsible to the College President for strategic and operational leadership of marketing and public relations activities for the college. The responsibilities of the position include development and implementation of strategic external and internal marketing and public relations activities and programs, development of community linkages and key partnerships which promote enrollment and visibility for the college, and the development of relationships with commercial organizations. The Director of Community Relations & Marketing also has responsibility for directing the development of college publications. Public contact is extensive and includes staff, students, media representatives, contractors, business and community representatives and leaders, political figures, philanthropic personages, commercial organizations, campus visitors, and the general public. A high degree of independent judgment and creativity are required to develop short- and long-range public relations campaigns and services from original concepts, organizational goals and ideas of others. Consequences of errors in judgment could be costly in institutional relationships, public relations and employee time. The Director of Community Relations & Marketing directs the work of staff and student assistants.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties below are representative of the duties of the classification and are not intended to cover all of the duties performed by the incumbent(s) of any particular position. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the scope of work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this classification.
- Exchanges information with students, staff, media representatives, governmental leaders, political leaders, community and business representatives, other educational institutions, contractors, and the general public regarding a variety of programs, activities, events, visitations, publications, media relations, press releases, outreach and recruitment, business development, and other programs and services
- Confers with the College President’s Cabinet and other management staff to develop strategic plans for short- and long-range goals related to outreach and recruitment, marketing, public relations, and facilities
- Conducts research, needs assessments, focus groups, and other forms of feedback to identify target markets and appropriate marketing and recruitment strategies that will enhance the college’s prominence among key audiences
- In consultation with District staff, directs all media relations (i.e. press releases, media briefings, and public services announcements) for the college to ensure accurate and timely coverage of events and news and serves as the college’s spokesperson on public relations matters
- Tracks and monitors media coverage using tools, such as Google Alerts
- Hire, train, supervise and evaluate college Community Relations & Marketing office staff; delegate assignments when appropriate
- Advises Vice President of Student Services and Vice President of Instruction in the implementation of college initiatives and equity-focused programming
- Creates business relationships with commercial and other organizations for the purpose of generating revenue for the college while providing desirable facilities for rental, creation of advertisements, and film and video production, as well as other business ventures
- In consultation with the College President’s Cabinet, defines, directs, and coordinates college marketing plans and directs and coordinates mass media advertising to include radio, television, newspaper, magazines, social media, networks, podcasts, websites, branding, imaging, marketing projects, and outreach linkages and campaigns
- Collaborates with staff to conceptualize, develop, and prepare original press notices, public service announcements, website and other electronic communications, narratives, posters, bulletins, flyers, and other materials
- Works with College President, President’s Cabinet, and other management staff to create and implement an institutional strategic communication plan
- Advises the College President and District staff on current and potential public relations, community relations, marketing, and communication issues and recommends effective courses of action
- Makes presentations to small and large campus and community groups about college and District events, activities, planning and programs
- Directs the development, design, layout, format, editing, and preparation of various publications, including college publications, news releases, feature articles, news stories, public service announcements, postings, reports, and other communications which highlight the goals, objectives, policies, programs, activities, and accomplishments of the college, its students and staff for dissemination to print and broadcast media sources, social media and web-based sources, the general public, and specialized target groups
- Directs the development and maintenance of the college’s website, including the event calendar, as well as other forms of electronic marketing (i.e. blogs, electronic sign content, and apps) ensuring that the design and content achieves the appropriate public relations results
- Oversees the college’s online resources and social media presence, including development of the college’s online resources (i.e. web requirements and online interactive map)
- Directs the development of internal newsletters, blogs, bulletins, website postings, and related materials for employees and students concerning policy and organizational changes, special programs, staff achievements, awards, and news of general interest to employees or students
- Evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of internal and external information, media relations, and external relations programs of the college and obtains feedback from the public and internal personnel through surveys, public opinion studies, and/or focus group meetings
- Supports and leads on-campus event planning, facility rentals for commercial use, media interviews, press releases, ceremonies and other college public relations events
- Prepares informative materials, scripts, speeches, and other communications for the College President and provides operational and management support, as well as serves as the point-of-contact for an online question and answer 24/7 service
- Works with the College President and District Executive Director of Community & Government Relations to manage crises communication to mitigate negative news events and coverage and facilitates public safety information during an emergency or natural disaster
- Uses a database and a variety of computer software to set up and track marketing trends and resources, community and student demographics, recruitment and retention strategies and outcomes, contractor resources and other data, workflow visuals, and project management tracking
- Uses spreadsheets and other software to set up files for, monitoring, formatting, and retrieving data related to cost estimates, expenditures, cost analyses, statistical, demographic, and other reports
- Trains, directs and evaluates the work of staff and hires, coordinates and evaluates the quality of work of graphic artists, photographers, videographers, printers and other contractors and vendors
- Develops and manages the department budget
- Performs other related duties as assigned
Minimum Qualifications:
- A combination of education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, or a closely related field (Master’s degree in any of the disciplines listed is desirable).
- Five years of successful work experience of increasing responsibility that has included marketing and various media sources such as web-based, broadcast, and print
- Oral communication skills, including public speaking
- Written communication skills, including experience with original press releases and other publicity materials
- Skill with computers and knowledge of graphic design, page design and lay-out, printer and publishing practices and other facets of print and electronic media
- Experience directing the work of others
- Demonstrated cultural competence, sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds of community college students, faculty and staff
- Possession of a valid California Driver’s license (or the ability to obtain one) and the ability to drive a motor vehicle to off-site locations
Physical Requirements:
This classification requires accurate work under deadlines and other pressures; sitting for long periods, pushing and pulling, visual acuity, and communication in order to perform the essential functions. The ability to type, use a phone, stand intermittently, walk, bend and stoop, occasionally lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects weighing 35 pounds or less, work at a computer, including viewing a computer monitor for various lengths of time, repetitive use of a keyboard, mouse or other control device, dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a keyboard, and ability to provide information to others, read printed material and computer monitor. Ability to operate a motor vehicle and drive to off-campus locations.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Skill in research and strategic planning technology and methodologies, including facilitation of group planning activities
- Skill in communications and public relations and knowledge of its role in advancing an organizational agenda
- Knowledge of principles, theories, practices, and techniques of marketing, branding, and advertising
- Demonstrated skill in marketing techniques, website management, promotional materials production and event coordination
- Knowledge of communications media sources and their most effective uses, including print, broadcast, web, and social media
- Skill in the methods and techniques of preparing and disseminating news releases and securing media placements
- Skill in design content and production of marketing and public relations materials
- Skill in leading, supervising, planning, coordinating, and evaluating the work of others
- Knowledge of college demographics and applicable policies and procedures related to marketing
- Skill in establishing and maintaining effective educational and planning partnerships
- Demonstrated skill in oral and written communication, including persuasive public speaking
- Demonstrated skill in the use of a variety of computer software for use in the field of communications, including but not limited to the Internet and web environments and desktop publishing
- Budget management, including statistical and financial reporting
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team
- Skill in respectful, sensitive communication with people who are diverse in their academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds
Preferred Qualifications:
Benefits:
Benefits include paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. The District pays all or a portion of monthly medical plan premiums (depending on the coverage) and pays all of the monthly dental and vision plan premiums for employees and eligible dependents. Additional paid benefits include life insurance, salary continuance insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. Classified employees participate in the Public Employees’ Retirement System, a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California. Optional tax-deferred 403(b) and 457 retirement plans are also available.
Open Date: 02/04/2025
First Review Date: 03/11/2025
Close Date:
Open Until Filled: Yes
Special Instructions Summary:
Required Application Materials All applicants are required to submit:
1. A completed online District application form (go to https://jobs.smccd.edu to complete the application and to apply for this position).
2. A resume that details all relevant education, training, and other work experience.
3. A cover letter of no more than 3 pages that addresses the applicant’s cultural competence, sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds of community college students, faculty and staff as well as the applicant’s qualifications as they relate to the requirements, knowledge, skills, and abilities listed in this announcement.
Candidates for interview will be selected from among those who most closely meet the requirements and knowledge, skills and abilities. Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an interview. As part of the interview process, candidates may be asked to demonstrate job-related knowledge and skills.
For questions related to this posting, please contact:
SMCCCD Office of Human Resources
3401 CSM Drive
San Mateo, CA 94402
Tel.: (650) 574-6555
Fax: (650) 574-6574
Web Page: www.smccd.edu/hr
Conditions of Employment:
Prior to employment, the selected candidate will be required to complete the following:
1. Submit official transcripts (applies to all faculty or educational administrative positions)
2. Submit verifications of prior employment
3. Satisfactory references
4. Successfully being cleared for employment through the background checking process
In addition to background checks, the District may review publicly available information about a candidate on the Internet. If a candidate is aware of incorrect or inaccurate information that is available on the Internet, the candidate is welcome to address such an issue with the Office of Human Resources.
5. Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States
6. Approval of your employment by the SMCCCD Board of Trustees
7. Provide a certificate of Tuberculosis exam for initial employment.
8. Have fingerprints taken by a Live Scan computer (Clearance must be received prior to first day of employment). Please note that the California Education Code requires, in part, that community college districts shall not employ or retain in employment persons in public school service who have been convicted of certain felonies, a misdemeanor drug charge (including alcohol offenses) or misdemeanor moral turpitude (sexual offense) crime. However, consideration may be given to those whose drug convictions occurred more than five years ago. A conviction for other crimes may not necessarily disqualify you from the job for which you may be applying.
EEO Statement:
The San Mateo County Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks to employ individuals who represent the rich diversity of cultures, language groups, and abilities of its surrounding communities.
Accommodations:
Applicants who have disabilities may request that special accommodations be made in order to complete the selection process. Accommodation requests and a copy of the Americans with Disabilities Act applicant procedures can be made by completing our: Applicant Reasonable Accommodation Request Form
Annual Security Report:
San Mateo County Community College District’s (SMCCCD) 2024 Annual Security Report (ASR), required by the Clery Act, includes statistics for the previous three years (2021–2023) concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by SMCCCD; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from SMCCCD. The 2024 Annual Security Report also outlines various campus safety and security policies concerning crime reporting, prevention and response to sexual and gender violence, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, emergency response and evacuation procedures, and other matters. The Annual Security Report also includes important tips to help every community member remain safe and avoid becoming a victim of crime. The 2024 Annual Security Report is now available on the Public Safety website. You can also obtain a copy of this report by contacting the Department of Public Safety at the District Office or any of the three Campuses (650) 738-7000. The report includes information about criminal activity on our campuses, emergency procedures, and resources.
To apply, visit: https://jobs.smccd.edu/
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