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Communications Program Director

IN - South Bend

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Opportunity Snapshot

This position is the ideal opportunity for an exceptional communications professional to have an immediate impact and drive the communication, marketing, outreach and promotional strategies for the School of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame. As the Communications Program Director, you’ll manage internal and external communications for the School and partner with a variety of contacts including University of Notre Dame leadership and colleagues, media professionals, architectural critics and thought leaders, and many more. Your prime directive will be to raise the profile of the School of Architecture, including its faculty, students and alumni. Quick question for you - click here

You’ll help elevate awareness about the School’s research, teaching, prizes and accomplishments. You will directly engage with our faculty, students, benefactors, as well as academic and professional thought leaders. You’ll help take us to the next level of success by creating and implementing a strategic communications plan. If you have a strong sense of ownership, interest in architecture or the arts, and thrive in a team atmosphere, we definitely want to talk with you.

The University of Notre Dame, founded in 1842 by Rev. Edward F. Sorin, C.S.C., of the Congregation of Holy Cross, is an independent, national Catholic university located in Notre Dame, Ind., adjacent to the city of South Bend and approximately 90 miles east of Chicago. With 1,250 acres containing two lakes, Notre Dame is well known for the quality of its physical plant and the beauty of its campus.

See how you can enjoy the advantages of life in a livable, affordable environment accessible to a multitude of amenities sure to match your preferences. Enjoy them with a University community where a sense of belonging and engagement may be the most cherished feature of all. With many affordable neighborhoods, award winning school systems and of course world-class sporting and cultural entertainment options, there is literally something for everyone here - http://hr.nd.edu/why-nd/community-connections/.

Pictured: The Main Building, with its famous Golden Dome, is a centerpiece of Notre Dame’s past and present.

The Requirements

The ideal candidate for this role will be enthusiastic, driven and passionate.

Additionally, to be a good fit for this opportunity you will have:

A bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, English, Journalism or other related field of study. Quick question for you - click here
10 + years’ experience in communications, marketing, public relations, or media environment. (A background in higher education, nonprofits, agency/corporate environments, and/or journalism could all be an excellent fit for this role.)
A background or interest in architecture, design or related arts.
Strong planning and organizational skills, including a keen attention to detail and the ability to juggle multiple projects and deadlines.
Significant professional experience as a writer and editor with excellent skills in feature/news writing, grammar, editing, copyediting, and proofreading is required.
The ability to work with minimal supervision and meet deadlines.
The ability to think abstractly and conceptually.
Experience with visual design, print production, and online communications strongly preferred.
Demonstrable interpersonal and presentation skills for frequent contact internally within the University and externally to a wide range of constituencies.
Comfort and experience working directly with leadership, executive and key decision makers.
Management experience including staff supervision and strategic leadership in team and committee roles.
Professional and social networking skills.
International exposure.

Engagement is broad in this role and there are local, national and international components. Initially, you should be willing and able to travel both domestically and abroad for up to one week up to six times during a year. You can also expect to travel locally to Chicago (day trips) as needed.

Pictured: Undergraduate students immerse themselves in the principles of traditional and classical architecture and its application in the modern world.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Dean of the School of Architecture, with a dotted-line to the Executive Director - Academic Communications in the Office of the Provost, as the Communications Program Director you will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies for the School of Architecture’s communication, marketing, outreach and promotional needs to a broad and diverse spectrum of constituencies. Quick question for you - click here

You’ll supervise one direct report, a Marketing & Communications Coordinator, and you’ll be involved in overseeing virtually all aspects of Communications--from the web, online reputation management and social media accounts to all printed / virtual materials. You can also expect to write and edit copy for the Dean and other key leaders.

You will be responsible for managing and coordinating internal and external marketing and public communication objectives and strategies to the School’s key audiences: professional communities associated with architecture, urban design and the media, Deans of schools of architecture, policy makers, option shapers, developers, alumni and prospective students, and the University community. A key initiative each year will be to use, leverage and promote The Richard H. Driehaus Prize to raise the recognition and reputation of the School both nationally and worldwide.

Serving as a trusted advisor to the Dean on all related matters and responsibilities, you will also serve as a School Administrator and represent the School on both School and University committees and at external events with the Dean or independently in a variety of on-campus, domestic and international venues

More specifically, you will:

Develop and implement an annual strategic communications plan for the School of Architecture, based on the overall goals of the School that has specific measurable goals. Coordinate with School leadership on vision, content, and tone to achieve fully integrated marketing communications. Provide strategic integrated marketing communication perspective and expertise to leadership of School and participate as an active member of the School's Administration Team and various assigned committees at the School and University level.
Oversee and direct all marketing and communications in support of the School of Architecture's strategic plan. This includes print and electronic publications as well as video production and photography. Print materials include press and news releases, speeches, newsletters, brochures, annual Acroterion (book comprising of top student work) and Driehaus Prize book (compilation of laureate's works). Electronic materials include the School’s website, Driehaus Prize videos, electronic newsletter, social media (Twitter, Facebook, Twitter vimeo, etc.).
Develop a robust public relations plan in support of School of Architecture goals, including working with outside consultants and University Communications to unearth newsworthy stories, identify key media and building relationships, identifying and coordinating all public relations opportunities.
Promote key events throughout the year including The Richard H. Driehaus Prize, School lecture series and conferences. Communicate to key audiences that support the advancement of the School's strategic plan. Oversee all marketing and outreach activities within the School of Architecture.
Represent the School with the Dean or independently at on-campus, domestic and international events.
Direct the School of Architecture's communications department in service to the mission of the School and the University.

Why The University of Notre Dame

Impact and Visibility -- This is a highly visible role and you’ll liaise with many internal and external contacts throughout the University and beyond. You’ll regularly partner with the Director of Finance & Operations for the School of Architecture and with the other Communications Directors at the other Schools and Colleges at the University. This is a role where your successes and efforts will be noticed.

Excellence in Academia -- Notre Dame is one of the few universities to regularly rank in the top 25 in the U.S. News & World Report survey of America's best colleges.

Achievement of Strategic Goals -- This is an exciting time to join the School as foundational elements of the School's strategic plan are transpiring. Key strategic elements such as the 2013 $27 million gift from Matthew and Joyce Walsh to build Walsh Family Hall, a new building on campus to house the School's academic programs, the January 2014 opening of the Rome Global Gateway in Rome, Italy (a new facility to house the School's 45 year old architecture program located in Rome) and the May 2014 announcement of a new Master of Science in Historic Preservation.

Varied and Engaging Challenges -- From positioning the School of Architecture as a leader and innovative academic institution around the world to developing communication strategies that strengthen our public profile, you will find a high degree of freedom and broad opportunities to impact the School’s success.

The Richard H. Driehaus Prize at the University of Notre Dame -- The Driehaus Prize is the largest architectural prize given annually in the world, and it has been presented each year since 2003 to a living architect whose work embodies the highest ideals of traditional and classical architecture in contemporary society, and creates a positive cultural, environmental, artistic impact.

Competitive Compensation and Unique Benefit Packages -- In addition to a competitive salary we offer comprehensive benefits that include all you would expect and much more.

Pictured: Basilica of the Sacred Heart and Golden Dome at Sunset. Photo by Barbara Johnston / University of Notre Dame.

Keys to Success

To excel in this role you will have the ability to thrive in a complex, rapidly-changing environment where no two days will be the same. You’ll need to be well versed at quickly switching from project to project, and acting as both a “big picture” strategist and a tactical executor. We’re looking for someone who can understand the academic mission of the School as well as the public policy aspect of Architecture. You'll need the organizational savvy and emotional intelligence to navigate our academic environment, as well as the interpersonal finesse to get things done and overcome obstacles while still respecting other points of view.

In addition, in order to be an outstanding Communications Director, you will:

Maintain a close working relationship with the Dean, School of Architecture Administration, Faculty and Staff as well as the Executive Director - Academic Communications and all University Communicators.
Be a team player who also can work independently.
Know how to prioritize competing demands and get things done in a fast-paced, fluid environment.
Remain willing to travel occasionally and sometimes work outside of normal hours.
Demonstrate a willingness to contribute to and assist with communication needs beyond your job description.

About Us

About the School of Architecture

The mission of the University of Notre Dame School of Architecture is to educate leaders who will design and build for future generations, cities and towns that are based on a foundation of conservation and investment rather than consumption and waste.

The School emphasizes classical and vernacular architecture within traditional urbanism; principles that encourage community, harmony with nature and economy of resources and energy. The School is part of a continuum from the past to the future, learning and inventing from it - carrying it forward with timeless ideals and cutting-edge technology. Around the world, regional and local traditional architecture and urbanism respect local climates, resources and culture with cities and buildings that are beautiful, enduring and do the least harm to the earth. These values apply from the smallest towns to the greatest cities, establish civic identities with human scale and facilitate an efficient and satisfying way of life.

Great architecture cannot be a trendy fashion statement or momentary entertainment at the expense of the future. It must be at once local in character, cosmopolitan in scope, and eternal in aspiration.

Pictured: The School emphasizes the principles of traditional architecture and urban design. Ideals that produce durable, adaptable, and energy efficient buildings.