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Inside Higher Ed · 16 hours ago

Director of Strategic Communications

Germantown, MD

Full-time

Hybrid

Director/Executive

$115K/yr - $200K/yr

7+ years exp

Montgomery College is a prominent educational institution seeking a Director of Strategic Communications to enhance its reputation and communication strategies. This role involves overseeing presidential communications, media relations, and public relations, while leading the implementation of the College's communications strategy and supporting senior leadership.

Digital MediaEducationHigher EducationJournalismRecruiting

No H1B

Responsibilities

Lead the implementation of the College’s communications strategy, ensuring goals and tactics are executed, measured, and refined over time. Serve as the internal champion for maintaining alignment between communications activities and institutional strategy

Advance the president’s and College’s reputation as higher education thought leaders through strategic positioning, creative storytelling, editorial calendars, and high-quality speeches, op-eds, features, reports, and presentations. Provide direct support to the president on messaging and visibility opportunities

Establish and manage annual editorial calendars that leverage timely news, events, and trends within and external to the College. Ensure integration across owned and earned media platforms, including management of the College’s online newsroom

Direct media engagement strategies in English and Spanish. Build strong media relationships to expand coverage from local to regional and national levels, positioning Montgomery College as a trusted voice in higher education

Partner with the ASVP on crisis communications and sensitive issues management, as well as collaborate with Public Safety and Emergency Management to ensure coordinated, transparent responses

Oversee development and timely delivery of newsletters, reports, and other essential communications for critical internal and external audiences, including the Board of Trustees, elected officials, MC Foundation, and PIC MC boards, students, and employees. Ensure accuracy, discretion, and alignment with institutional priorities

Partner with Marketing and Communications colleagues to align enrollment, brand, and digital strategies. Collaborate with Development, Alumni Relations, and Community Engagement to support fundraising and partnership engagement. Work closely with the President’s Office, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Administrative and Fiscal Services to integrate communications priorities across divisions

Build and sustain strong internal relationships to surface positive stories and ensure the timely flow of information for presidential and institutional communications opportunities

Leverage creative and tech-savvy approaches, including new and emerging media, to amplify the College’s voice, enhance engagement, and increase reach

Supervise, mentor, and evaluate staff, and foster innovation, accountability, and professional growth within the communications team

Oversee media monitoring, email/newsletter analytics, and communications performance metrics. Provide regular reports to college leadership and refine strategies based on insights

Perform other duties as assigned

Qualification

Communications strategyExecutive speechwritingMedia relationsCrisis communicationsSupervisory experienceStrategic communications planningHigher education experiencePublic relationsEditorial strategyTeam management

Required

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or related field

Seven years of progressively responsible communications experience, including senior-level leadership in higher education or similarly mission-driven organizations

Five years of supervisory experience managing communications teams

Five years of executive speechwriting experience for a CEO or president

Experience managing high-stakes executive communications, including confidential and time-sensitive correspondence. Demonstrated experience serving as part of a cross-collaborative crisis communications team

Demonstrated success in media relations, editorial strategy, and strategic communications planning

The equivalent combination of education, training, certification and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and expertise to perform the essential functions of the job may be considered

Eligible applicants must currently be authorized to work in the United States and not require employer visa sponsorship