Posting Details

Posting NumberS05314PWorking TitleChief Communications OfficerDepartmentCAES Comm & MarketingAbout the University of Georgia

The University of Georgia (UGA), a land-grant and sea-grant university with statewide commitments and responsibilities is the state’s oldest, most comprehensive, and most diversified institution of higher education (http://www.uga.edu/). UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA was founded in 1785 by the Georgia General Assembly as the first state-chartered University in the country. UGA employs approximately 1,800 full-time instructional faculty and more than 7,600 full-time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 36,000 students including over 27,500 undergraduates and over 8,500 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 17 schools and colleges, as well as a medical partnership with Augusta University housed on the UGA Health Sciences Campus in Athens.

About the College/Unit/Department

The UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) is among the best and most established U.S. colleges of agriculture. In its classrooms, its Agricultural Experiment Stations, and its statewide network of UGA Cooperative Extension offices, the faculty, and staff of CAES are dedicated to discovering, teaching, and delivering the science required for healthy living to flourish in Georgia. Agricultural and environmental sciences are only as important as the food you eat, the clothes you wear, and the water and air around you. To improve the quality and guard the safety of life’s necessities, CAES has gathered world-renowned scientists and exceptional students. https://www.caes.uga.edu/

College/Unit/Department websitehttps://occs.caes.uga.edu/Posting TypeExternalRetirement PlanTRS or ORPEmployment TypeEmployeeBenefits EligibilityBenefits EligibleFull/Part timeFull TimeWork ScheduleAdditional Schedule Information

Monday through Friday 8 am – 5 pm with evening and weekend hours as needed

Advertised SalaryCommensurate with qualificationsPosting Date10/19/2020Open until filledYesClosing DateProposed Starting Date01/01/2021Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit an example of an effective strategic marketing and communication project that produced a significant Return on Investment (ROI), under “Other Document #1”
oAlong with the example, please include metrics that show a direct impact from marketing and communication activities. (examples include but are not limited to press release measurement metrics, social media ROI, media impressions and message pull-through.)

Location of VacancyAthens Area EEO Policy Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, genetic information, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation or protected veteran status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

Classification TitleDirector. Subdivision/Unit ADFLSAExemptJob FamilyFTE1.00Minimum Qualifications

Requires at least a baccalaureate degree in the field. Please contact your Human Resources office for an evaluation of education/experience in lieu of the required minimum qualifications.

Preferred Qualifications

- A Master’s degree from an accredited institution in journalism, communications, marketing, or public relations, and considerable demonstrated success in a leadership capacity are strongly preferred. A bachelor’s degree and significant experience in the fields listed above may also be considered.
- A proven track record of improving brand perception, developing and implementing marketing programs, and developing and managing collaborative relationships with partners
- A commitment to effectively develop strong cross-functional partnerships, evidenced by a track record of teamwork and collegiality leading cross-functional teams and building relationships beyond the marketing function
- Experience communicating through a wide variety of media to diverse audiences
- Demonstrated success as an inspirational manager who has successfully motivated staff to achieve and sustain excellence. The successful candidate must be comfortable dealing effectively, diplomatically, honestly, and sensitively with all levels of management and staff. The individual must have strong interpersonal skills to develop alliances with internal and external groups
- Strategic and long-range planning experience, considerable experience collaborating and building relationships with internal and external constituents, and proven experience with the translation of brand strategy into effective brand experience development and management within complex organizations
- Extensive experience creating and managing operational and marketing/communications initiatives targeted to motivate constituencies of a complex organization and demonstrated command of modern marketing practices, strategies, and tactics including digital marketing

Position Summary

The Chief Communications Officer (CCO) will advance the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) by leveraging disciplined practices that measurably grow and deepen audience perceptions of CAES. This position will join the College’s executive leadership team and report directly to the Dean and Director. The CCO is responsible for developing strategic communication plans for CAES. The CCO will lead and oversee the communications function for CAES and is responsible for developing a long-term marketing and communications strategy to elevate the perception of CAES and strengthen its position as a global thought leader. This role will provide strategic leadership to a talented group of cross-functional professionals who are responsible for translating brand strategy into creative content and channel strategies, working centrally and consultatively across the organization, across channels and mediums, to create compelling and optimized audience experiences. This position will initiate, direct, and maintain effective messaging strategy, issues and crisis management capabilities, public relations, media relations, internal communications, content strategy, digital marketing, and social media.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

- Demonstrated ability to develop clear, targeted branding and marketing strategies tailored for different audiences and channels
- Ability to manage internal and external relationships; preparing, justifying, and presenting business cases, budgets, and plans; and measuring the impact of different strategies and programs
- Strong written and oral communication skills

Physical Demands

1. Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
2. Travel during and outside of regular work hours, up to 25% of the time. Driving.

Is driving a responsibility of this position?YesIs this a Position of Trust?YesDoes this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?YesDoes this position require a P-Card? NoIs having a P-Card an essential function of this position? NoDoes this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?NoDoes this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications)NoCredit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities

1.Engage with the Dean and other members of the executive team to develop long-term strategic communications goals and priorities that support the College’s tripartite mission of teaching, research, and extension.
2.Develop a comprehensive, data-driven strategic communications plan to meet the defined vision and goals of CAES leadership, to include improving brand reach, enhancing perception, strengthening the college’s position as a global thought leader, and increasing visibility to internal and external target markets.

Percentage of time15Duties/Responsibilities

3.Direct the College’s marketing and communications efforts as an executive leader and creative director, implementing multi-channel content strategies, coordinated media and public relations plans, and integrated messaging and brand strategy.
4.Continuously develop, enhance, and refine the CAES brand to engage and support the College’s tripartite mission while advancing the University’s strategic goals and priorities.
5.Develop and enforce consistent brand visuals and messaging across all communications platforms.
6.Develop clear, engaging, and targeted digital and traditional marketing strategies for diverse audiences, including alumni, donors, faculty, government officials, staff, stakeholders, students, and the public.
7.Define and track metrics to measure the impact of marketing and communications strategies, programs, and campaigns to maximize efficiencies and return on investment.

Percentage of time25Duties/Responsibilities

8.Maintain an issues management program. Develop pre-emptive, proactive communications plans addressing targeted audiences to mitigate risk and drive communications around key issues.
9.Develop a comprehensive crisis communications plan and manage and coordinate crisis communications in consultation with UGA Marketing and Communications and CAES leadership.
10.Understand emerging issues and trends in higher education, agriculture, the environment, food, marketing, communications, etc. to ensure CAES remains relevant and preeminent.

Percentage of time20Duties/Responsibilities

11.Coordinate and collaborate with the CAES Office of Development and Alumni Relations regarding alumni communications efforts to increase participation and engagement and develop content that contributes to major advancement efforts.
12.Cultivate relationships and work closely with the University of Georgia’s Division of Marketing and Communications and other university communication leaders to ensure public relations, marketing, and crisis management plans are coordinated.
13.Advise, collaborate, and consult with College departments, units, and offices including the CAES Office of Information Technology regarding content development, public relations, marketing issues and directives, and signature events and programs.
14.Provide CAES faculty and staff clear and consistent goals and objectives for communication strategies.

Percentage of time20Duties/Responsibilities

15.Assemble information and draft responses and communications on behalf of the Dean and Associate Deans.
16.Identify, develop, and maintain strategic partnerships that advance CAES’s vision.
17.Represent the College at appropriate regional and national meetings, including the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU).
18.Shape, inspire and manage a high-performing, cross-functional team that works collaboratively across the organization.
19.Oversee and direct professional staff responsible for the implementation of communication and marketing including hiring, direct supervision, professional development, mentoring, performance reviews, etc., to ensure that each employee is meeting high standards of productivity and quality of work.
20.Develop and manage budgets for administration of the communications unit.

Percentage of time20Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Do you possess a valid driver's license?
   • No Response
   • No
   • Yes

Applicant DocumentsRequired Documents

1. Cover Letter
2. Resume/CV
3. Other Documents #1

Optional Documents

1. List of References with Contact Information
2. Writing Sample
3. Sample Publications
4. Media Portfolio