If you have any questions about the position or our application process, reach out to us at [email protected].

Job Description

Summary: We are a team of information collectors, connectors and content creators who work to strengthen relationships between Smith and internal and external stakeholders. The Director, Communications and External Engagement will serve as an advisor to offices across the college and the liaison between Smith and the City of Northampton, and will oversee crisis communications. In this role, they will protect and strengthen the reputation of the college and its relationships. The ideal candidate will be a strategic thinker and an accomplished writer eager to identify opportunities to further the aims of the college, develop plans to address those opportunities, and work collaboratively with others to achieve them.

Essential Functions:

Communications: (40%)

• Lead communications efforts for campus-wide initiatives, developing and implementing communications strategies to support success.

• Advise college departments (e.g., Residential Life, Office of Equity and Inclusion, Human Resources) that create messages for the Smith community, serving as a thought-partner and providing input on communications strategies and tactics to achieve desired goals. Review and edit messages to ensure consistency with college messaging and with an eye towards potential reputational impact. Draft messages as needed.

• Act as a liaison between offices across campus and the Office of College Relations and Communications. Find and share information that inspires the creation of content by the Editorial and Digital teams.

• Serve on college committees as appointed (e.g., Campus School, Campus Safety Advisory Group, Cromwell Day)

• Support other Smith-focused initiatives (e.g., United Way campaign) as assigned.

Community Engagement: (40%)

• Serve as primary relationship manager with the Office of the Mayor of Northampton

• Oversee community giving strategy: evaluate, recommend, and manage sponsorships that are mutually beneficial, strengthening relationships with the city while advancing Smith's goals.

• Identify opportunities for strengthening community relationships at both the local and regional level. Work with colleagues across the college to create and effectively implement plans to build on such opportunities.

• Manage annual community breakfast for Smith leadership and Northampton business and government leaders; write remarks for President; develop invitation list; work with Mayor to create agenda; coordinate with Events Management.

• Act as primary communications contact for the Carbon Neutral/Geothermal Project, and any other major projects that affect the city.

Crisis Communications and Reputation Management: (15%)

• First point of contact for urgent campus communications

  • Prepare talking points and draft communications as needed

  • Coordinate with Director, Media Relations to manage media response

• Act as key member of ad hoc crisis communications teams, providing communications advice to minimize reputational damage and creating messaging as needed

• Maintain crisis communications playbooks

• In conjunction with the Social Media Manager, monitor engagement with Smith's Social Media accounts and student message boards to anticipate potential issues of concern

• Engage with crisis communications consultant as needed

• Serve as College Spokesperson if needed

Government Relations: (5%)

• Monitor federal, state, and local issues that affect higher education and Smith; make recommendations for action, as appropriate.

• Evaluate and respond to requests by NAICU to support federal legislation.

Direct Reports: 0

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES):

• Bachelor's degree with 5 - 7 years' experience in marketing, communications, public affairs, or similar role

• Superior writing, editing and proofreading skills, and verbal communication skills

• Superior verbal communication skills

• Proactive; calm under pressure

• Proven ability to develop and manage relationships with a broad range of stakeholders

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong understanding of social media and its role in building and harming institutional relationships

• Experience beyond higher education a plus

SKILLS

• Self-starter who takes initiative and is able to work independently

• Highly collaborative team player; the ability to build effective relationships across campus and with members of the Northampton community

• Demonstrated ability to initiate and manage multiple tasks under competing deadlines and shifting priorities

• Learning mindset, including taking and responding to feedback

• Excellent attention to detail

• Demonstrated commitment to supporting a diverse workforce, and willingness to participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment

• Proven ability to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

• Proven ability to handle confidential information with integrity and discretion, exercising sound judgment

• Ability to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Proficient with Zoom, Google Workspace and Microsoft Office, including the ability to create visual presentations and slides using PowerPoint or other platforms

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This position is eligible for Smith's Remote/Hybrid work program. Given the nature of the position, the schedule requires four days in office and one day remote.

You will NOT be able to attach additional files after you have hit the Submit button.

Review of applications will begin

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About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women's colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at [email protected].

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.