Director of Communications and Events

Company: Hofstra University
Location: Hempstead
Posted on: September 17, 2020

Job Description:

School/Division: Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell

Office: Office of the Dean

Full-Time or Part-Time: Full-Time

About Hofstra Hofstra University is a nationally ranked and recognized private university in Hempstead, N.Y. that is the only school to ever host three consecutive presidential debates (2008, 2012 and 2016). At Hofstra, students get the best of both worlds. Our campus is a leafy oasis just a quick train ride away from New York City and all its cultural, recreational and professional opportunities. We offer small classes and personal attention, with the resources, technology and facilities of a large university. Students can choose from more than 160 undergraduate program options and 165 graduate program options in the liberal arts and sciences, education, health professions and human services, the Peter S. Kalikow School of Government, Public Policy and International Affairs, the Fred DeMatteis School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Frank G. Zarb School of Business, the Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, the Maurice A. Deane School of Law, the Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, and the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. Hofstra University is a dynamic community of more than 11,000 students from around the world who are dedicated to civic engagement, academic excellence and becoming leaders in their communities and their careers.

Description: Reporting to the Assistant Dean for Curricular Affairs and Special Projects, the Director of Communications and Events defines, executes, and oversees an overall strategy for the School of Medicine’s communications and event-related programs. Responsibilities include overseeing the school’s social media presence, website, and collateral materials, connecting the school’s programmatic efforts to community engagements and medical education trends, developing communications plans for events and special projects and ensuring that the school’s communications and event programs promote a positive, inclusive, engaged, and consistent public brand and voice. The Director will manage the communications and event team.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• In consultation with the Dean and leadership team, leading and executing a comprehensive long-term communications and events strategy that maps back to ZSOM’s core values, goals and aligns with its strategic plan and metrics;

• Selecting, training, coaching, supervising, and leading a communications and events team currently consisting of five full-time staff members;

• Participating in the budget development process and supporting budget management for the communications and events team. Reviewing and assisting with the approval process for contracts, agreements, and billing in relation to events and meetings, including facility rentals and vendors;

• Attending regular meetings with Hofstra University, Northwell Health, and ZSOM leadership to continuously evaluate and design marketing, communications and web strategies for ZSOM programs, publications, initiatives, and events;

• Researching best practices and trends to compile, track, and disseminate analytics/ reporting on the success of the ZSOM’s communications, marketing, public relations, and events initiatives and providing timely reports to the senior administration;

• Overseeing and working closely with the Communications Manager and Social Media Specialist to set the agenda for ZSOM’s social media presence on various platforms; creating and implementing protocols for sharing content that aligns with institutional goals and increases engagement and visibility;

• Overseeing and collaborating with the Lead Technical Web Architect and working closely with Hofstra’s web development team on website functionality, content, and appearance;

• Overseeing the production and distribution of both digital and paper communications collateral, including press releases, program announcements, newsletters, donor and recipient resources, photographs, videos, and marketing material;

• Continually creating new and evaluating current print and digital publications for content/design, distribution, staff responsibility, and effectiveness in communicating and promoting the ZSOM’s mission, including fact sheets, brochures, articles, reports, press releases, advertising, and radio broadcasts/podcasts;

• Working closely with the Director of Development and Alumni Affairs to advance effective philanthropy, including print, digital, and social media campaigns, including fundraising and alumni news and priorities;

• Facilitating and enhancing the ZSOM’s image and branding, in alignment with Hofstra University and Northwell Health;

• Overseeing strategy, logistics, preparation and tracking of ZSOM events, meetings, and conferences and preparing data and reports, as needed, for senior leadership.

Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree required and significant work experience directly related to this position; Master’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field preferred;

• At least seven years of progressive experience in the fields of communications, public relations, marketing, and events, including developing proactive strategies to engage target audiences;

• Experience of managing teams and empowering colleagues to do their best work; outstanding high-level project management skills;

• Professional English writing, speaking, proofreading, and editing skills, with above-average attention to detail;

• Strong collaborative and cross-functional working skills;

• Ability to consistently and effectively balance priorities, meet critical deadlines, and accurately track all tasks to ensure timely completion of high quality work;

• Experience with web content management and social media;

• Possesses market awareness, a proven ability to identify topical issues, and an understanding of industry trends and the regulatory and competitive environment;

• Prior experience in higher education and/or healthcare highly desirable.

Weekend hours may be required, as needed, in addition to late evenings and early mornings. This position also requires valid driver’s license and access to personal vehicle. Occasional travel required.

Application Instructions: For consideration, please send a cover letter and resume to: SOMRecruit@hofstra.edu

Hofstra University is an equal opportunity employer, committed to fostering diversity in its faculty administrative staff and student body, and encourages applications from the entire spectrum of a diverse community.

Keywords: Hofstra University, Hempstead , Director of Communications and Events, Other , Hempstead, New York