Assistant Director, Academic Communications 

Parsons School of Design

The New School

Parsons School of Design, a division of The New School, seeks an Assistant Director, Academic Communications within the Parsons Deanâ™s Office. Reporting to the Director of Academic Communications, the Assistant Director supervises the Academic Communications Coordinator and oversees the day-to-day development of institutional communications that support Parsonsâ™ mission, enhance its brand, and advance its diversified enrollment planning. The Assistant Director works closely with Parsons academic leadership, the universityâ™s Office of Marketing and Communication (M&C), and Admissions office to communicate about the overall school and works on all aspects of academic communication including social media, press relations, creative editorial services, presentations, and internal communications. The New School is strongly committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and particularly seeks applications from members of underrepresented groups, as well as candidates who share this commitment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directs and implements an integrated approach to the schools external image by developing a unique institutional voice that is consistent with the schoolâ™s and academic mission, and the university marketing and communications plan. 

• Develops and leads Parsons-wide content strategies including digital engagement initiatives in response to social data, metrics, and current trends, and best practices.

• Writes and publishes email communications to the Parsons community including school-wide announcements and a weekly newsletter.  

• Writes and edits web copy; manages regular web content updates in coordination with the Web Developer.  

• Creates annual planning calendars to coordinate regular meetings and events involving the Parsons community. 

• Initiates and manages photography opportunities and collaborates with academic programs and the university Marketing and Communication Office to support documentation. 

• Deanâ™s Office liaison to the Parsons Faculty Assembly (PFA), working with PFC co-chairs on communications, web updates and presence, meeting minutes, and special requests. 

• Helps organize and implement meetings, conferences, and activities hosted by the Deanâ™s Office or in which the Executive Dean plays a leading role. 

• Creates event briefing materials and drafts remarks on behalf of the Executive Dean. 

• Directs, develops, generates, and publishes content for Parsonsâ™ main social media channels (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) including live coverage of events as appropriate.

• Implements content strategies and editorial schedules in response to social data, metrics, and current trends, and best practices. 

• Supports a culture of inclusion and shared community-building through social media that welcomes and engages multiple voices and perspectives, leading with examples of work that reflect our mission and values. 

• Supervises the Academic Communications Coordinator, who is responsible for supporting program communications. Regularly compiles and circulates reports on coverage to academic leadership, faculty, and staff. 

• Moderates, responds to, and elevates user-generated content as appropriate.  

• Supervises student workers working on social media, and external vendors working on photography or video.

• Supports the general operations of the Deanâ™s Office as needed. 

• Performs additional duties as requested.  

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelorâ™s degree. 

• 3-6 years experience working in communications, marketing, social media, as a project manager, or comparable position. 

• Demonstrable social media experience and social analytics tools knowledge.

• Excellent writing, presentation and communication skills.

• Excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills, close attention to detail, and strong organizational and time management abilities.

• Proven track record of working well with people from diverse cultural backgrounds.

• Comfortable working in a fast-based environment; able to juggle multiple tasks with good time management skills. 

• Ability to take initiative and follow through on deadline. 

• High degree of familiarity with office and email applications including Google Drive, Word, Excel, Keynote, and Mailchimp.

• The ability to be self-directed, flexible, proactive, think creatively, and work as a part of an administrative team.

• High degree of discretion. 

• Preference  for experience in  communication design, photography, or video production.  

• Ability to work with a diverse group of students, faculty and staff with a high degree of cultural competence.

WORK MODE

• Hybrid/Split - Employees hired for this position have regularly scheduled, consistent percentage of time on campus (ex 1-4x/week) and also work some of the time remotely.

SALARY RANGE

$68,000 - $73,000

About The New School

The New School, a leading university in downtown New York City, offers degree and nondegree academic programs in design, the social sciences, the liberal arts, management, the arts, and media. Students benefit from small classes, superior resources, and renowned faculty members who practice what they teach. Continuing education courses and public programs place the university at the center of New York’s cultural and intellectual life.

Connections working at The New School