Digital Communications Manager

In the role of Digital Communications Manager, you will work closely with the all members of the Ascendium Strategic Communications team and client stakeholders to develop and execute digital communication strategies. You will closely monitor Ascendium’s digital strategies and will provide leadership with reports, insights and recommendations to inform future efforts. This position will be involved in the execution of the digital communication strategies working directly with the teams and applicable platforms. You will provide insights and training to team members across the organization to assist them with the successful execution of Ascendium’s social media strategy, as well as other digital communication strategies. You will collaborate with peer organizations and strategic partners on the development and execution of joint digital communication strategies.

The effective execution of the digital communication strategies you develop with the Strategic Communications team will 1) position Ascendium as an innovator in removing obstacles to postsecondary education, 2) motivate target audiences to seek participation in our grants, research and outreach programs, 3) promote a culture of giving, community involvement and engagement with our corporate mission among our employees and 4) amplify the marketing and sales efforts of a diverse set of Ascendium products.

In so doing, you’ll play a critical role in demonstrating how Ascendium fulfills its mission to elevate opportunity.

Essential Functions:

1. Under guidance of the vice president - strategic communications, set strategy for digital communications, including social media, working closely with Strategic Communications team members to support corporate communication plans. Oversee the effective execution of digital communication strategies, monitor on-going campaigns and provide leadership with digital communications reports and insights.
2. Through effective digital communication strategies, increase the influence of Ascendium among target audiences in raising awareness and spurring positive action. Support Strategic Communications team plans with digital approaches to increase the effectiveness of our communications to internal teams, clients and external target audiences.
3. Ensure that all digital communication strategies and activities consistently reinforce the common mission shared by all divisions of Ascendium ­— why we do what we do, how we do it and what we expect to achieve. 
4. Stay informed about education and market trends, competitive activities, legislative issues and priorities of the education philanthropy community. Share information gleaned with team members and lead efforts to use it to inform planning and messaging efforts with target audiences.
5. Manage projects from initiation to completion, working in close collaboration with the assigned project team and project coordinator within the creative department workflow. Ensure project deadlines are met. Assist in presentations of briefs, communication plans, strategy concepts and creative output to internal clients and department and division management.
6. Hire, manage, lead, develop, mentor and provide general and technical guidance to digital communication staff as the team is built out over time as needed.

• Assign work and establish standards and work priorities.
• Manage staff training and development of employee skills.
• Set performance objectives, provide ongoing performance feedback, document performance conversations and recommend annual salary adjustments.

See full position descripton on our Website

Education/License/Certification/Experience Requirements:

1. Bachelor's degree, or competency/experiential based equivalency, preferably in advertising, marketing, or communications.Advanced training and education in digital communications is highly desirable.
2. Minimum of 4 years of agency or corporate digital communications experience, with at least 2 years of senior level digital communication experience, including the development and execution of corporate-wide digital communication strategies.
3. Superb communication and presentation skills, including the demonstrated ability to effectively present creative concepts to staff, management and customers.
4. Valid driver license.

Knowledge and Skills Required for Position:

1. Exceptional business communication skills, with in-depth understanding of digital communication and marketing fundamentals and the electronic tools used in the field.
2. Strong conceptual thinker, with demonstrated ability to formulate creative strategies that meet client and audience objectives.
3. High level of initiative with demonstrated talents for planning and execution.
4. Ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams; developing and executing the digital communication strategies across the organization.
5. Excellent organizational, problem solving and coordination skills, including the ability to successfully develop and execute digital communication projects from initiation through completion.
6. Strong customer-focused approach, with the ability to form close and productive working relationships with management, staff, clients, customers and vendors across multiple disciplines.
7. Demonstrated ability to work under pressure to meet critical deadlines yet remain flexible in responding to changing requirements.
8. Ability to accept feedback and input on digital strategies and effectively revise approaches, responding constructively to management and customer feedback.
9. Effective interpersonal skills exemplified by initiative, courtesy, diplomacy, positive attitude, professionalism and appropriate business ethics.
10. Intermediate to advanced skills in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Adobe Acrobat.

Ascendium Education Group employees enjoy an outstanding benefit package designed to provide employees and their families with a high degree of security.

Ascendium has contractual obligations that require criminal, employment and education background investigations as a condition of employment.