Scope of Responsibilities
The Associate Director of External Communication reports to the Assistant Vice President for Communication, is a member of the Communications Team, and oversees one direct report. The Associate Director is a skilled strategist who leads proactive media relations in service of the University’s mission and reputation.
The Associate Director will have a clear focus on proactive and innovative storytelling in collaboration with the larger marketing and communication team and the department’s strategic plan and brand pillars.
This mission-critical role plays a key part in expanding awareness of Loyola University Chicago and differentiating its unique position as a leader in higher education based on academic excellence and Jesuit, Catholic educational methods and values.
The Associate Director will seek earned media opportunities with priority schools and divisions; build quality working relationships with media; collaborate with and support integrated marketing campaigns; monitor and assess media coverage and share relevant reports; leverage media coverage internally and externally working with social media managers and others; and advocate for maximizing media coverage across other areas such as Enrollment Marketing, Office of the Provost, and Office of the President. The Associate Director will train community members to work with media, develop and place op-eds with key media outlets, and conduct effective interviews. The Associate Director will serve as a source, resource, and professional guide to journalists from Loyola’s student media, including the Phoenix newspaper and Rambler Report newscast. The Associate Director will also provide strategic counsel to Assistant Vice President and University leadership in issues management situations – and serve a key role in responding to issues.
Attributes:
- Superlative communicator and creative storyteller who can identify and develop stories, press releases, web and video content that elevate the University’s reputation and authentically represent its quality, values, and Jesuit Catholic mission.
- Earns the confidence of stakeholders across the University, especially related to crisis communications and sensitive issues management.
- Ability to work across the organization and hierarchy to build collaborative relationships across University Marketing and Communications, across academic units, as well as the Division of Student Development, Enrollment Marketing, and Advancement.
- Organizational and planning skills with an eye for detail to manage a pipeline of stories and projects efficiently and effectively.
- Ability to stay calm and to pivot quickly to take advantage of media opportunities or respond to reputational issues
- Learning mindset to convey a range of nuanced subject matter and tones
- Anticipatory mindset to identify opportunities and reputational risks, define scenarios, and present situational analyses and frameworks for strong narrative, meaningful listening, and strategic response.
- Strong and respectful conflict resolution skills for crucial conversations
- Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills
- Executive discretion and discernment
- Demonstrated record of relationship building and working effectively in hybrid and remote modes
- Inspirational leader and trusted advisor to colleagues across Loyola
Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop and direct external communications strategies and tactics that strengthen Loyola’s mission and lift Loyola University Chicago’s brand. This includes:
- Establishment of yearly communication calendars and plans coordinated with Loyola operations and milestones
- Build out and maintain an effective and up-to-date crisis communications plan
- Collaborate in crafting official statements and rapid response
- Active media outreach and proactive storytelling
- Collaborate in crafting official statements
- Contribute to integrated marketing campaigns in support of strategic plan, campus master plan, and advancement campaigns
- Creation of public relations themes, narratives, and campaigns around academic quality and brand pillars
- Management of reactive media inquiries, hot-button issues, and campus controversies, collaborating with appropriate stakeholders
- ·Collaborate and coordinate across UMC, with MarCom managers, and with stakeholders on integrated campaigns that unify mission, brand, and voice
- Help research, write, and edit foundational communications (e.g., president’s report, fact book, impact report, Loyola Today news hub, Examens)
- Contribute to integrated marketing and comms around IDIEI, civil discourse, and the character of the University
- Advise and partner with school marketing and communications managers on external communications
- Collaborate closely with University social media to coordinate messaging and monitor threats and response
- Develop effective plans and protocols for strategic operational excellence.
- Manage direct report, Assistant Director of Internal Communication
- Collaborate and oversee editorial, production, cadence, and distribution of internal emails, newsletters; consult as needed
- Team closely with Assistant Director on rapid-response situations
- In consultation with the Assistant Vice President, work with the Assistant Director to develop integrated communications plans for proactive opportunities and issues responses. Support the Assistant Director in expanding communications efforts to include more proactive storytelling and comprehensive channels.
- Consult, advise, and support as needed; develop and complete annual performance evaluations.
About Loyola University Chicago
Loyola University Chicago (Loyola or LUC) is a private Catholic research university in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1870 by the Jesuits, Loyola is one of the largest Catholic universities in the United States. Loyola's professional schools include programs in medicine, nursing, and health sciences anchored by the Loyola University Medical Center.
Comprising eleven colleges and schools, Loyola offers over 80 undergraduate and 140 graduate/professional programs and enrolls approximately 16,000 students. Loyola has six campuses across the Chicago metropolitan area, as well as a campus in Rome and guest programs in Beijing and Ho Chi Minh City. The flagship Lake Shore Campus is on the shores of Lake Michigan in the Rogers Park and Edgewater neighborhoods of Chicago, eight miles north of the Loop.
