Manager, Strategic Communications & Events

Position Title

Own the enterprise communications engine and college brand while executing high-impact events and public engagement.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Functions

Strategic Communications (Internal) : Build and operate an editorial calendar; produce the employee newsletter; draft leadership messages, toolkits, and training materials; institute governance for timeliness, accuracy, tone, and channel hygiene.

Public Relations & Issues Management : Lead media relations (social, news, written), press materials, executive briefings, and rapid-response protocols in partnership with the President's Office, CSO, and Director of Development.

Brand Stewardship : Maintain brand guidelines and asset library; audit adherence; train staff / vendors; ensure accessibility and compliance. Maintain the integrity of the Carnegie Guidelines.

Media Management (Non-Enrollment) : Set strategy, publish content, moderate, and report performance; enable executive presence across approved channels.

Advancement & Donor Enablement : Partner with the Director of Development on donor communications, case statements, stewardship content, and board materials.

Coordinate Board of Trustees meetings and Board retreats : Compile agendas, meeting technology and logistics, and collaborate with administrative support and CSO to compile post-meeting Board Recaps from the President.

Supportive Services to Enterprise Muskingum through Marketing, Volunteer Engagement, and Event Support.

Manage Public Relations and Partnership with community partners, such as Dress for Success, and the United Way.

Events & Experiences : Plan and execute high-profile campus events (including legislator visits), executive convenings, and community showcases; manage run-of-show, vendors, risk, and VIP protocols.

Analytics & Operating Rhythm : Build dashboards for PR, internal comms, social, brand, and events; drive continuous improvement and learning loops.

Special Projects : Lead time-bound cross-functional initiatives and document reusable playbooks.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Events & Experiences - 25%

Strategic Internal Communications - 15%

Public Relations & Issues - 10%

Brand Stewardship & Carnegie Voice - 10%

Media Management (Non-Enrollment) - 9%

Advancement & Donor Support - 6%

Board Meetings & Retreats - 10%

Enterprise Muskingum Support - 5%

Community PR & Partnerships - 5%

Special Projects - 5%

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's in Communications, PR, Marketing, Journalism, or related field.

57+ years progressive experience spanning internal communications, PR / media, events, and brand governance.

Portfolio of writing (executive messages, press materials, social content) and event artifacts (run-of-show, briefing books).

Fluency with comms tooling (CMS / intranet, email platforms), monitoring / analytics, and basic creative tools.

Preferred Qualifications

Higher-ed or public-sector experience; legislative engagement exposure.

Fundraising / donor communications; board / trustee support.

Issues / crisis communications training; spokesperson coaching.

Excellent benefits include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, and retirement.

Zane State College

1555 Newark Road Zanesville, Ohio, 43701

740.588.4407