Deputy Director for Communications and Archives

Deputy Director for Communications and Archives

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Basic Function

The purpose of this position is to provide technical and administrative support to the Executive Director for Campus Planning, Architecture & Development in the areas of communications and archives, to encompass all aspects of REDCAM’s real estate development portfolio. The position will work with other Deputy Directors, Project Managers and various stakeholders to support the Executive Director in a communications and project documentation capacity, while assisting peers to produce high-quality project outcomes, detailed documentation, and correlated data/language sets.

Dimensions

Indeterminate

Nature And Scope

This position has contact with REDCAM employees as well as with other University stakeholders. May also have contact with outside entities including municipal officials.

Principal Accountabilities

• Responsible for planning, oversight, production and implementation of communications-related activities for REDCAM, including, but not limited to: website, press, media relations, social media, publications, awards, grant writing, presentations, and multimedia/video for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Responsible for planning, oversight, production and implementation of archives-related activities for REDCAM, including, but not limited to: documenting completed and ongoing projects; cataloguing, digitizing and contextualizing materials; creating and documenting narratives and storytelling elements; maintaining a weekly ledger of REDCAM progress and activities; conducting historic and contextual research projects.
• Ensures units within the university’s stakeholder network have appropriate access to REDCAM messaging. Responsible for creation of engaging content for various platforms catering to numerous user groups.
• Develops effective communication strategies and correlated tactics.
• Manages and improves internal communications (memos, newsletters, etc.).
• Manages and improves internal and external communications flows.
• Develops and implements a communication strategy that includes media outreach, marketing tools, collateral, content creation, social media management, and other approaches to communications for both internal and external audiences.
• Arranges and coordinates press conferences, town halls, and planned events with stakeholders.
• Drafts content for mass media or website and liaises with media; handles requests for interviews and statements.
• Manages external communications vendors and collaborates with university communications and marketing professionals to create and implement communications plans and produce copy, including for advertisements or articles.
• Researches and writes press releases and content for the REDCAM website, infographics, blogs, and newsletters.
• Maintains knowledge of REDCAM and University policies, principles, and strategies, and stays up-to-date with relevant developments.
• Facilitates the resolution of disputes with external role-players.
• Adheres to the University’s style guide to ensure high-quality, error-free content.
• Works with key internal role-players to brainstorm content ideas in line with REDCAM strategy and brand initiatives.
• Supports and evaluates results of communication campaigns with the team.
• Builds and maintains relationships with journalists and key external role-players.
• Determines content topics, coordinates with others to obtain information, writes, edits, designs and distributes to students, alumni, donors and community and business contacts.
• Prepares and supervises the production of press releases, announcements, brochures, event materials, photographs, newsletters, etc.
• Promotes a positive public image for REDCAM and the University.
• Manages contracts and contractors for communications and archive-related projects, ensuring compliance with Howard University policies and on-time, on-budget delivery.
• Manages supplier base to attain cost savings targets and supports spending initiatives with Diverse Firms (e.g., CBE, MWBE).
• Tracks and reports costs for planned and underway projects; maintains short- and…