Director of Marketing and Communications

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The South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics (GSSM) seeks an experienced and dedicated professional as its next Director of Marketing and Communications. This individual will lead GSSM's marketing and communications initiatives for residential, online and outreach programs. Reporting to the Vice President of Enrollment Management, who sets the institution's communications and marketing strategy, the Director of Marketing and Communications works to execute the strategy to facilitate effective, timely, impactful, and data-informed informational and education communications that enable GSSM to engage with its respective audiences using appropriate traditional and digital communications platforms in a manner that increases brand awareness and maximizes institutional resources.

This is a permanent, full-time position in Hartsville, South Carolina, with benefits provided through the State of South Carolina. The salary is competitive and commensurate with credentials and experience. Review of applications will begin immediately, with a start date no later than July 1, 2024. A cover letter and resume are required for consideration.

About GSSM:
GSSM's mission is to seek out and advance the state's most talented and motivated students, offering them a transforming education with a special focus on science, mathematics, and engineering that cultivates joy in learning and builds the confidence to engage as ethical leaders with the world's most significant issues.
GSSM is nationally recognized for the quality of its advanced STEM, humanities, student research, and international programs. Our faculty and staff share a passion for their disciplines and a commitment to inspire and lead students to achieve their best while fostering the joy of learning. GSSM is a public high school serving 11th-12th grade students residentially and 10th-12th grades through virtual programs. GSSM's Outreach Center engages over 8,000 elementary and middle school students through various STEM educational programs around the state in partnership with several school districts.

The significant areas of responsibility for this position include:

1. Communication Strategy: Under the direct oversight and in partnership with the Vice President of Enrollment Management, executes a comprehensive communications strategy to facilitate effective, timely, and impactful informational, education communications, and marketing delivered through a variety of communications channels or platforms.
2. Marketing and Branding: In coordination with the Vice President of Enrollment Management, conducts the planning, execution and deployment of all agency communications, publications (traditional and digital), social media strategies, graphic design and branding to ensure accuracy, consistency, clarity, and effectiveness. Suggests and, upon institutional approval, schedules media buys for the agency with the goal of increasing brand awareness and target market saturation.
3. Data Informed Fund Management: In coordination with the Vice President of Enrollment Management, manages the public information budget as approved by GSSM leadership. Utilizes a data informed approach to develop, implement, and continually evolve the institution's marketing and communications plan. Provides regular updates to GSSM leadership regarding the return on investment related to media buys.
4. Supervisory Duties: Organizes, directs, and coaches communications staff to execute the agency's communications strategy for internal and external audiences as it relates to the delivery of agency information, educational programs, and marketing.
5. Crisis Communications: In consultation with GSSM leadership, establishes, deploys, and modifies the agency crisis communication plan and provides regular updates as needed to ensure the plan's continued effectivene

Minimum and Additional Requirements

A bachelor's degree and relevant experience.

Additional Requirements:

• Evening travel and occasional overnight travel required.
• Must be able to lift up to 10lbs occasionally.
• Knowledge of basic journalistic principles and practices for information dissemination. 
• Ability to serve as agency spokesperson and establish and maintain relationships with local, state and national media. 
• Knowledge of social media platforms and how to use those platforms to disseminate information and communicate with the public. 
• Knowledge of principles and methods of planning, conducting and supervising large-scale public relations programs. 
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and through the written word; ability to write, edit and produce publications for various formats and mediums. 
• Ability to understand and maintain agency brands and the accurate deployment of those brands in various marketing collateral outputs. 
• Ability to oversee the agency's FOIA response process. 
• Ability to supervise and coach subordinate staff.

Please note that some areas of the Agency may require an official, certified copy of the transcript prior to hiring or within a specific timeframe required by that area, after hiring.  Failure to produce an official, certified transcript may result in not being hired or termination.  

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree in a relevant subject-area preferred.


Additional Comments

The SC Governor's School for Science and Mathematics is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions, including, but not limited, to lactation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.
 
Supplemental questions are considered part of your official application. Any misrepresentation will result in your disqualification from employment. Please complete the state application to include all current and previous work history and education. A resume will not be accepted nor reviewed to determine if an applicant has met the qualifications for the position.