Inside Higher Ed
Overview
Director of Communications (DOC), responsible to the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, is a creative, innovative communications professional comfortable in a dynamic environment to develop and execute comprehensive, research-driven communications strategies while cultivating responsive relationships. The goal is to foster College-wide collaboration using an integrated communications strategy that promotes the desired outcomes of the College’s Global Ends Policy Statement. In collaboration with the Office of the President and Marketing team colleagues, the DOC will leverage cross-functional skills across a variety of platforms (including intranet/digital/print/social media), engaging the College’s operational divisions to create compelling content that tells the stories of experiences and success unique to the FCC community. Elevating the importance of strategic communication at the College, this role will lead in the development of College-wide communications policies/procedures, critical communications involving College-wide alerts/emergency/weather/closure messaging, and other initiatives and resources as merited. The DOC also serves as the College Public Information Officer (PIO) and handles all Public Information Act requests and public affairs duties as the liaison between the College and regional public information officers, the media, governmental and elected officials and the public in general. The DOC supports the Office of the President with executive communications, presentation and visual media development, event forums and ceremonies, a cadence and quality control of communication materials to internal and external audiences, and proactively leading FCC’s message development and narration to demonstrate impact to all stakeholders. This encompasses institutional public relations activities as well. Working closely with the President and executive leadership, the DOC will plan and execute communication campaigns focused on achieving specific organizational goals through clarity in messaging as it relates to College initiatives, employee/student/alumni accomplishments, changes that influence the student and employee experience and crisis and issues management. The right person for this role will be able to demonstrate experience with key responsibilities of the position including communications strategy planning and execution, media relations, and content development. Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Develop, implement and continually evaluate an aggressive and comprehensive strategic communication strategy. This strategy will include a College-wide, systematic, comprehensive, research-based plan driven by desired institutional outcomes. Provide leadership in achieving specific organizational goals, indicative of a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and social justice. Serve as the FCC contact for all aspects of public relations operations, including press releases, media inquiries and correspondence, and publication timeliness. Serve as college spokesperson as directed and provide media interview preparation for other College leaders as necessary. Serve as the College’s Public Information Officer (PIO) and liaison to the regional public information officers group and other key community coalitions; process Public Information Act requests in accordance with legal guidelines; lead in plan creation and coordination with the President and campus leaders in a College emergency or crisis response. Work collaboratively with all employees involved with institutional communications and serve on all College committees related to institutional communications. Anticipate College-wide needs and engage in an analytical, data-driven approach to problem solving and decision-making support where consistency in message is required. Supporting the President
Prepare regular communications for the President, including speeches, talking points, briefings, correspondences (internal and external), College-wide messages, video scripts and social media posts. Support speechwriting/talking points for the Chair of the Board of Trustees as necessary. Develop and maintain strong working relationships with media members, internal and external stakeholders and partners as organizational goals merit. In coordination with Marketing team colleagues, manage content creation and edits to the Office of the President’s web pages and social media. Support major College events such as convocations, regional/state site visits, conferences, ceremonies, employee and student town halls and special events as required. Serve as a legislative liaison/government relations support as necessary, for the President. Support policy governance operations and facilitate institutional communications with internal and external stakeholders. Manage the DOC budget and maintain balanced budget practices. Other duties as assigned by the President and/or Chief of Staff to the President. Required Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution OR combination of education and related professional experience. Minimum of six (6) years of increasingly responsible leadership experience in communications, public relations, crisis communication, media relations, public information, or related fields. Advanced and refined written and verbal communications skills. Demonstrated success in developing and executing communications plans. Strong media relations experience across multiple platforms. Ability to build positive working relationships with the President, Board of Trustees, College leadership, students, media, and community representatives. Demonstrated ability to communicate with diverse groups and to lead with a collaborative, results-focused style. Demonstrated integrity, vision, flexibility, and sense of humor. Proven track record of achieving goals in time-sensitive environments. Desired Qualifications
Master’s degree in a related field. Ability to converse in another language (Spanish preferred). Experience with integrated communications campaigns spanning media relations, government relations, advertising, and public opinion research. Strong persuasive communicator with ability to craft inspiring messages. Project and initiative management across campus-wide programs. Strategic thinker with understanding of macro economic and public policy contexts. Ability to quickly understand and distill complex issues. Work Schedule
8:30am-4:30pm Monday to Friday. Evenings, weekends, and on-call as necessary. Full/Part Time:
Full Time Telework Eligible?
Yes Essential Personnel?
Yes Application Details
Job Posted Date: 09/26/2025 | Open Until Filled: Yes | For Best Consideration: 10/31/2025 Special Instructions To Applicants: All applications and required documents must be submitted online. Cover letters may be addressed to the Search Committee and should briefly address your qualifications as related to the requirements of this position. For best consideration, applications should be received by October 31, 2025. Review of applications after this date is not guaranteed. A full list of FCC benefits can be found here: https://benefitguides.psafinancial.com/view/563817862/ FCC offers a generous benefits package which includes medical insurance, dental and vision plans, tuition benefits, retirement plans, and more. Frederick Community College is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. We encourage members from historically under-represented groups to apply. Equal Opportunity
Frederick Community College is committed to equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination in its activities, admissions, educational programs, and employment.
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Director of Communications (DOC), responsible to the Senior Director of Marketing and Communications, is a creative, innovative communications professional comfortable in a dynamic environment to develop and execute comprehensive, research-driven communications strategies while cultivating responsive relationships. The goal is to foster College-wide collaboration using an integrated communications strategy that promotes the desired outcomes of the College’s Global Ends Policy Statement. In collaboration with the Office of the President and Marketing team colleagues, the DOC will leverage cross-functional skills across a variety of platforms (including intranet/digital/print/social media), engaging the College’s operational divisions to create compelling content that tells the stories of experiences and success unique to the FCC community. Elevating the importance of strategic communication at the College, this role will lead in the development of College-wide communications policies/procedures, critical communications involving College-wide alerts/emergency/weather/closure messaging, and other initiatives and resources as merited. The DOC also serves as the College Public Information Officer (PIO) and handles all Public Information Act requests and public affairs duties as the liaison between the College and regional public information officers, the media, governmental and elected officials and the public in general. The DOC supports the Office of the President with executive communications, presentation and visual media development, event forums and ceremonies, a cadence and quality control of communication materials to internal and external audiences, and proactively leading FCC’s message development and narration to demonstrate impact to all stakeholders. This encompasses institutional public relations activities as well. Working closely with the President and executive leadership, the DOC will plan and execute communication campaigns focused on achieving specific organizational goals through clarity in messaging as it relates to College initiatives, employee/student/alumni accomplishments, changes that influence the student and employee experience and crisis and issues management. The right person for this role will be able to demonstrate experience with key responsibilities of the position including communications strategy planning and execution, media relations, and content development. Essential Duties And Responsibilities
Develop, implement and continually evaluate an aggressive and comprehensive strategic communication strategy. This strategy will include a College-wide, systematic, comprehensive, research-based plan driven by desired institutional outcomes. Provide leadership in achieving specific organizational goals, indicative of a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and social justice. Serve as the FCC contact for all aspects of public relations operations, including press releases, media inquiries and correspondence, and publication timeliness. Serve as college spokesperson as directed and provide media interview preparation for other College leaders as necessary. Serve as the College’s Public Information Officer (PIO) and liaison to the regional public information officers group and other key community coalitions; process Public Information Act requests in accordance with legal guidelines; lead in plan creation and coordination with the President and campus leaders in a College emergency or crisis response. Work collaboratively with all employees involved with institutional communications and serve on all College committees related to institutional communications. Anticipate College-wide needs and engage in an analytical, data-driven approach to problem solving and decision-making support where consistency in message is required. Supporting the President
Prepare regular communications for the President, including speeches, talking points, briefings, correspondences (internal and external), College-wide messages, video scripts and social media posts. Support speechwriting/talking points for the Chair of the Board of Trustees as necessary. Develop and maintain strong working relationships with media members, internal and external stakeholders and partners as organizational goals merit. In coordination with Marketing team colleagues, manage content creation and edits to the Office of the President’s web pages and social media. Support major College events such as convocations, regional/state site visits, conferences, ceremonies, employee and student town halls and special events as required. Serve as a legislative liaison/government relations support as necessary, for the President. Support policy governance operations and facilitate institutional communications with internal and external stakeholders. Manage the DOC budget and maintain balanced budget practices. Other duties as assigned by the President and/or Chief of Staff to the President. Required Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a related field from an accredited institution OR combination of education and related professional experience. Minimum of six (6) years of increasingly responsible leadership experience in communications, public relations, crisis communication, media relations, public information, or related fields. Advanced and refined written and verbal communications skills. Demonstrated success in developing and executing communications plans. Strong media relations experience across multiple platforms. Ability to build positive working relationships with the President, Board of Trustees, College leadership, students, media, and community representatives. Demonstrated ability to communicate with diverse groups and to lead with a collaborative, results-focused style. Demonstrated integrity, vision, flexibility, and sense of humor. Proven track record of achieving goals in time-sensitive environments. Desired Qualifications
Master’s degree in a related field. Ability to converse in another language (Spanish preferred). Experience with integrated communications campaigns spanning media relations, government relations, advertising, and public opinion research. Strong persuasive communicator with ability to craft inspiring messages. Project and initiative management across campus-wide programs. Strategic thinker with understanding of macro economic and public policy contexts. Ability to quickly understand and distill complex issues. Work Schedule
8:30am-4:30pm Monday to Friday. Evenings, weekends, and on-call as necessary. Full/Part Time:
Full Time Telework Eligible?
Yes Essential Personnel?
Yes Application Details
Job Posted Date: 09/26/2025 | Open Until Filled: Yes | For Best Consideration: 10/31/2025 Special Instructions To Applicants: All applications and required documents must be submitted online. Cover letters may be addressed to the Search Committee and should briefly address your qualifications as related to the requirements of this position. For best consideration, applications should be received by October 31, 2025. Review of applications after this date is not guaranteed. A full list of FCC benefits can be found here: https://benefitguides.psafinancial.com/view/563817862/ FCC offers a generous benefits package which includes medical insurance, dental and vision plans, tuition benefits, retirement plans, and more. Frederick Community College is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, creed, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, genetic information, marital status, disability, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. We encourage members from historically under-represented groups to apply. Equal Opportunity
Frederick Community College is committed to equal opportunity and prohibits discrimination in its activities, admissions, educational programs, and employment.
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