Director of Public Relations and Internal Communication

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:

This position is a member of an integrated Marketing and Communication division that leads promotional and internal communication initiatives for both Augsburg University and Luther Seminary. This position leads strategic communications efforts to advance Augsburg University's and Luther Seminary's position with relevant constituents. The person is responsible for public relations--including proactive and reactive media relations at national and local levels--and internal communications for Augsburg University and Luther Seminary. The Director develops innovative and effective internal and external communication campaigns to drive alignment with organizational goals. Within this matrixed organization, the position manages staff who may officially be employees of either Augsburg or Luther Seminary.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Leadership

• Serve as a key advisor and consultant for senior leadership on institutional communications and public relations strategy to advance organizational goals. 
• Provide thought leadership related to internal and external communication strategies, campaigns, events, tools, and assessment. 
• Manage a team of public relations and communication direct reports. 
• Plan and oversee editorial scheduling, strategic messaging development (including writing, editing, production), and distribution for communication initiatives for targeted internal and external audiences. 
• Stay current with key institutional strategies and messaging, internal initiatives, community outreach programs, and brand work to inform messaging and proactive communication planning. 
• Represent the Marketing and Communication division to other departments, institutional leadership, and outside constituents, including acting as Marketing and Communication representative on select internal committees at Luther Seminary or Augsburg. 
• Supervise, lead, and coach a team including social media and communication specialists at both Augsburg and Luther Seminary.

Internal communications

• Develop and maintain positive and collaborative relationships across both institutions to underscore confidence in the Marketing and Communication division. 
• Oversee and support internal communication program planning, ensuring a consistent schedule of internal leadership communications and timely, effective ad hoc communication initiatives in response to internal issues as needed.

Digital/Social Media Relations

• Cultivate and maintain strong media relationships with key national and local media identify and develop story opportunities, facilitate media placement, and shape messaging. 
• Serve as primary point of contact and external spokesperson for media inquiries, issues management, and crisis communications. 
• Lead strategic social media efforts, including content strategy, editorial planning, content development/editing (copy, images, video) to ensure timely postings and responses comments or questions on institutional social media platforms. 
• Serve as a resource for institutional partners in planning and managing department- or program-specific social media initiatives. 
• Craft and distribute news items (information, stories, calendar items) for applicable internal and external media channels, including blogs, social and news media, and web/intranet posts.

Crisis Communication

• Serve as point person for crisis communication and issues management, managing message development and media inquiries in crises situations. 
• Serve as Marketing and Communication department representative on the University Crisis Communication committee. Work in conjunction with the Department of Public Safety to maintain and update the University crisis communication plan, as needed.

ADDITIONAL EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED:

• Represent Augsburg Marketing & Communication to other departments, to university administration, and to outside constituents. 
• Develop and maintain positive and collaborative relationships that underscore confidence in the Marketing and Communication department. 
• Acts as Marketing and Communication representative on select internal committees 
• All other duties as apparent or assigned by supervisor(s).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field, master's degree or specialist certification preferred. 
• Minimum of seven (7) years relevant experience in Communications, Media Relations, Journalism, Public Affairs, and/or Marketing field.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior experience in working at the executive leadership level to develop strategic communications plans. 
• Superior written and verbal communication skills. 
• Experience creating and editing digital images, video and audio. 
• Well networked, with ability to quickly establish new connections throughout internal and external community groups. 
• Prior, direct management experience and experience leading and developing teams. 
• Highly adaptable and excited about working in a hands-on, small team environment. 
• Experience in nimble, fast-paced organizations; high sense of urgency and comfort working within ambiguity. 
• Ability to work across functional groups to solve complex challenges; fast learner with ability to quickly gain the knowledge needed to develop comprehensive communication plans and effective messaging. 
• Ability to work effectively in a diverse work environment. 
• Ability to be attentive to details, be accurate, be precise. 
• Ability to lead/teach. 
• Ability to work in a team environment; work independently or with little supervision 
• Ability to reason/analyze. 
• Ability to maintain confidentiality; demonstrate patience, understanding. 
• Ability to show initiative. 
• Ability to handle frequent interruptions. 
• Ability to multi-task and organize workflow; manage one or multiple projects.