Job Information
Western Washington University Communications Manager for Student Engagement in Bellingham, Washington
Communications Manager for Student Engagement
Apply now (https://secure.dc4.pageuppeople.com/apply/793/gateway/default.aspx?c=apply&lJobID=501942&lJobSourceTypeID=796&sLanguage=en-us) Work type: Permanent Full Time
Location: Bellingham, WA
Categories: Enrollment & Student Services
Position TitleCommunications Manager for Student Engagement
About the University
Western Washington University, with over 15,000 students in seven colleges and the graduate school, is nationally recognized for its educational programs, students and faculty. The campus is located in Bellingham, Washington, a coastal community of 90,000 overlooking Bellingham Bay, the San Juan Islands and the North Cascades Mountain range. The city lies 90 miles north of Seattle and 60 miles south of Vancouver, British Columbia. Western has additional sites in Anacortes, Bremerton, Everett, Port Angeles, and Poulsbo. Western is recognized nationally for its successes, such as being named one of the top public master's-granting institutions in the Pacific Northwest for 25 years in a row by U.S. News & World Report.
Western Washington University is committed to achieving excellence through advancing inclusive success, increasing our Washington impact, and focusing on transformational education grounded in the liberal arts and sciences and based on innovative scholarship, research, and creative activity. Western's greatest strength is the outstanding students, faculty, staff, and alumni/ae who make up its community. Western supports an inclusive governance structure for all and provides a learning and working environment in which everyone can thrive. In pursuit of this excellence, individual employees are expected to establish and maintain productive and effective inclusive working relationships amongst diverse populations including staff, faculty, administration, student, and external constituents. Further, individual employees are expected to have the ability to operationalize sustainability concepts (economic, societal, environmental) into all aspects of performing their job duties.
About the DepartmentThe Student Engagement Department supportsWestern's mission (https://president.wwu.edu/mission-strategic-plan) , which states that together with our students, staff, and faculty, we are committed to making a positive impact in the state and the world with a shared focus on academic excellence and inclusive achievement. We encourage applications from women, people of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and other candidates from underrepresented backgrounds and with diverse experiences interested in this opportunity.
The Student Engagement team supports and empowers students and staff to deliver inclusive and innovative programs that enhance growth, belonging, joy, and student success.
About the Position
Western Washington University is seeking a Communications Manager with experience in communications, graphic design, and visual media production to join the staff of the Student Engagement department in the Division of Enrollment and Student Services. The Communications Manager supervises 14 - 17 highly talented student employees. The Communications Manager provides guidance to student graphic designers, a photographer, and videographers to ensure quality production of print and digital media for all clients of the Publicity Center. This role provides strategic leadership of the communications, outreach, and branding efforts of the department and related student programming areas.
Job Duties
65% Duty: Management of the Publicity Center
Tasks include:
Manages and supervises all employees of the Publicity Center.
Hires, trains, and intentionally develops the skills of student staff members to meet the needs of the Publicity Center as well as the professional growth of the student employees.
Coordinates management and timely completion of all projects through supervision of Project Managers, Graphic Designers, Photographer, and Videographers.
Provides guidance to graphic design staff on ways to enhance the quality of their design work, their customer/client service skills, with regular consideration for culturally relevant and responsive communications as well as accessible content.
Supervises coordination of all print distribution services to on- and off-campus locations.
Evaluates and confers with Associate Director of Student Activities and other program managers in the assessment of risks, impacts on campus community, and policy compliance of the activities being promoted.
Continually evaluates the Center's procedures for marketing and promotions, design practices, and communication strategies that may be altered to result in a more equitable and just campus environment.
Leads conversations and offers consistent guidance on creating designs and communications that add to students' sense of belonging, are not exclusionary or harmful, and include broad and equitable representation.
Creates designs and signage needed to support the programmatic and facility needs of the areas of Student Engagement, the Viking Union, and Associated Students (ASWWU) Governance.
Works closely with the Viking Union staff including the Director, IT Manager, VU Marketing Coordinator, and the VU Maintenance Services Coordinator to develop directional signage solutions to enhance navigation and accessibility of the VU.
Provides guidance in the development of branding and marketing strategies of the Student Engagement and related student programs.
Develops tools and provides trainings to help assist first time users and student event programmers in navigating the policies and practices for event planning and promotion at WWU.
Approves all purchases made on behalf of clients.
Establishes and maintains business relationships with off-campus vendors of promotional items and apparel.
Tracks and submits regular invoicing for services performed by the Center by the first day of each month.
Works, in conjunction with Viking Union IT Manager, to ensure computer, software, and large format printer assets are in good working order and updated or replaced as needed, making proposals for new equipment purchases when necessary.
Serves as Budget Authority and develops and manages annual budget for the Publicity Center.
Manages inventory of production equipment and creates proposals for regular repair and replacement when necessary.
Schedules regular cyclic maintenance of all relevant equipment.
20% Duty: Strategic Leadership of Departmental Communications
Tasks include:
Establishes goals for these areas and regularly evaluates service delivery.
Supervises student staff assigned to the communications functions of the organization.
Develops and maintains a strategy for campus-wide dissemination of information about department offerings, to include regularly scheduled emails or announcements to the campus community.
Provides guidance and oversight to ensure compliance on legal and policy matters, consulting with WWU University Communications and legal staff when needed.
Monitors organizational social media accounts (operated by student staff) and recommends methods to improve reach, impact, and adherence to best practices and industry trends.
Leads stakeholder discussions pertaining to website designs and re-designs for the Student Engagement department and related student programming areas.
Implements department website design and re-designs based on broad-base input from students and professional staff, working with university web design support team as needed.
Serves as lead staff member supporting the Communications Committee and any related working groups.
Supports continuing education of staff through assistance with planning and funding professional development opportunities and travel to conferences/webinars.
Provides student staff with interpretation and guidance around University policies and ensures compliance with these policies.
Serves as Budget Authority and develops and manages annual budget for the student communications program areas.
5% Duty: Participation in Campus Committees
Tasks include:
WWU Marketing Committee: Works with campus marketing professionals to share current initiatives for promoting the University and its departments.
WWU Social Media Committee: Works with campus public relations professionals for promoting the University and its departments through social media.
WWU Graphic Design Group: Works with campus graphic designers to improve processes and workflow through shared assets and ideas.
VU WEST (Welcoming and Engaging Spaces Team) and Art Group: Works with staff in the Viking Union to develop means of making the VU a more welcoming and inclusive facility, including updates to imagery, signage, text, art installations, furniture, and space allocations.
Student Engagement/VU Marketing Team: Works with key marketing, outreach, and IT roles in the Viking Union and Student Engagement to develop strategies and actions to enhance outreach to, and engagement with, the student body.
5% Duty: Software and Technology
Tasks include:
Use project management software to track and manage current and archived projects, working with Viking Union IT staff and University Archives as necessary.
Uses specialized software for management of, and printing to a large format roll printer.
Maintains high level of competence with Adobe design, motion, and image software.
Maintains an appropriate knowledge of audio and visual equipment for production of video, photography, and graphic design.
Utilizes WWU website development resources, tools, and staff support to ensure the Student Engagement and related student program websites meet the needs of the campus community and staff in these areas.
Manages use of invoicing software for billing on-campus clients.
5% Duty: Fiscal Management and Other Duties as Assigned
Tasks include:
Budget Authority for Publicity Center and student communications program budgets, approving purchases, tracking revenue, forecasting, and ensuring proper state and university fiscal procedures are followed.
Monitoring transactions in all areas to ensure expense and revenue are within allocation.
Recommends fee increases and adjustments to rate structure.
Submits invoices by the first day of the month to facilitate billing of on-campus clients.
Represent the department, unit, or division on committees or in other service opportunities.
Other duties related to Student Engagement.
The classification for this position is Program Support Supervisor 2.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in art, graphic design, communications, marketing, business administration, education, or other closely relevant field AND a minimum of one (1) year (post-bachelor’s) of graphic design and visual media production experience, OR equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated experience in supervising personnel (this may include full-time or part-time staff, student staff, volunteers, or other experiences that demonstrate an understanding of supporting others in achieving goals or objectives as assigned).
Proficiency working with a wide range of Adobe products (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, Aftereffects, Premier, etc.)
Experience producing and editing video projects.
Experience using and learning new software technology.
Demonstrated experience using currently relevant social media.
Familiarity with video and photography equipment including cameras, mics, lighting systems, etc.
Proficiency working with Microsoft Office products (Outlook, Word, Excel, etc.)
Demonstrated organizational and time management skills, with an ability to manage multiple tasks in adynamic work environment.
Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
Knowledge of, or experience with, journalistic ethics and laws related to freedom of expression, freedom of the press, privacy, and/or copyright.
Familiarity with design techniques and uses of technology that enhance the accessibility of imagery and media, particularly for those with visual impairments.
Demonstrated experience implementing a change or improvement that resulted in a more equitable, just, or anti-racist environment or outcome.
Experience employing communication and outreach strategies that were effective at broadening engagement among communities and demographics of that had not previously been represented.
Familiarity with large format digital printing equipment.
Experience with web design using a content management system such as Drupal, Joomla, WordPress, or similar product.
Knowledge of and experience in budget development and management.
Demonstrated knowledge and experience with creating training for adult learners or college students.
Experience working in a higher education setting.
Conditions of EmploymentAll employees must comply with our Immunization policies, includingProof of Rubeola Measles Immunity (https://policy.wwu.edu/POL-U1300.01-Requiring-Proof-Of-Rubeola-Measles-Immunity) within 60-days of hire. Please reach out toHR@wwu.eduif you need information regarding medical or religious exemption and applicable accommodations.
Salary $4,498 - $6,047/month depending on qualifications and experience.
Benefits InformationBenefits Overview for Classified Positions (https://hr.wwu.edu/files/2022-01/Benefits%20-%20Classified%20Staff%20%281%29.pdf)
Bargaining UnitThis position is part of bargaining unit D and is covered by the collective bargaining agreement with Public School Employees of WWU.
Application Instructions
This Application requires 3 parts:
PageUp Application (includes 3 references)
Cover Letter
Resume
Application materials should directly address your experience related to the position responsibilities and to each required qualification and any preferred qualifications.
Closing Date NotesApplication review begins September 20, 2024; position is open until filled.
Western Washington University (WWU) is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer committed to assembling a diverse, broadly trained faculty and staff. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. In compliance with applicable laws and in furtherance of its commitment to fostering an environment that welcomes and embraces diversity, WWU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex (including pregnancy and parenting status), disability, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status or genetic information in its programs or activities, including employment, admissions, and educational programs. See WWU’s Policy on Ensuring Equal Opportunity and Prohibiting Discrimination and Retaliation (https://policy.wwu.edu/POL-U1600.02-Prohibiting-Discrimination-Based-on-A-Protected-Class-Interim) . Inquiries may be directed to the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance, Title IX and ADA Coordinator, Western Washington University, Old Main 126 (MS 9021), 516 High Street, Bellingham, WA 98225; 360.650.3307 (voice) or 711 (Washington Relay); crtc@wwu.edu
WWU is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. To request this document in an alternate format or to request an accommodation, please contact Human Resources Disability Services (https://hr.wwu.edu/disability-accommodations) , 360.650.3751 or 711 (Washington Relay).
Annual Security and Fire Safety Report: This report is provided pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act ("The Clery Act"). It includes statistics for the previous three calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on Western's campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by Western; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. You can obtain a copy of this report in printed or alternate formats by contacting the Office of the Vice President for Enrollment and Student Services atvpsa.office@wwu.edu. The report can be found at:Annual Security and Fire Safety Report (https://vpess.wwu.edu/files/docs/ASRCleryreport.pdf) .
All new employees must comply with the immunization policy and show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizen and Immigration Service before beginning work at WWU. A thorough background check will be conducted on all new hires which includes asexual misconduct background check (https://hr.wwu.edu/sexual-misconduct-background-checks) .
Job no: 501942
Advertised: Sep 13 2024 09:00 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close: