WCER DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING

Job Description

Madison, Wisconsin, Job Summary: The Wisconsin Center for Education Research (WCER) Director of Communications & Marketing leads multichannel communication efforts through data-driven, strategic messaging and innovative digital experiences that maintain and grow WCER’s position as a national and international leader in education research. The Director leads a 6-person communications team in developing and executing strategic communication and marketing campaigns, producing news stories and features about center events, and advances the center’s research using email, web, social media, print, video, and other channels. This position also oversees media relations, communication strategies, and brand development to align with WCER’s five strategic goals to: integrate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) into daily operations; improve services; operate as a learning organization; promote high quality, community-connected research; and expand and diversify center funding. Additionally, the position oversees the use of data, metrics, and analytics to accurately measure, evaluate, and optimize WCER’s communications and marketing activities. The role will use digital tools such as Eloqua, Meltwater, Asana, and WordPress to organize, publicize, and advance communications work. Responsibilities: Directs communications strategic planning, and execution. Provides approval and guidance for communications including staffing and budgetary planning in support of communication goals. 40% Develops, implements, and monitors strategic communication initiatives for designated audiences and internal stakeholders to maximize engagement and strengthen collaboration efforts 20% Identifies, establishes, and directs media relationships and partnerships with internal and external sources 10% Identifies, proposes, and implements new or revived operational policies and procedures 20% Audits and directs day-to-day operational plans to align with strategic initiatives and to meet established objectives 10% Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees Institutional Statement on Diversity: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background – people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion Education: Required Bachelor’s Degree Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field or comparable work experience Preferred Master’s Degree Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, or a related field or comparable work experience Qualifications: Required: * Minimum of 3 years of leadership experience in communications or marketing required. * Experience working with or overseeing work across digital communication platforms. * Demonstrated success in project management and communication skills. * Experience communicating and distilling research and/or complex topics. Preferred: * Experience in strategic communication and marketing, brand management, and content development across multiple platforms. * Familiarity with and/or work experience in higher education, non-profit, or government organizations. * Experience overseeing the production of visually appealing, effective, and accessible visual design projects. * Experience with best practices that promote diversity and inclusion in communications/marketing products and the workplace. * Knowledge of scientific research and/or writing and communications plans to disseminate insights from that research/writing. Work Type: Full Time: 100% This leadership position requires that primarily work be performed in person, onsite at WCER. This position allows for workplace flexibility and a hybrid work schedule may be considered in the future as the incumbent becomes acclimated with the position and the Center Appointment Type, Duration: Ongoing/Renewable Salary: Minimum $105,000 ANNUAL (12 months) Depending on Qualifications Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off, competitive insurance and savings accounts and retirement benefits. Additional Information: WCER is known nationally and internationally as a leader in innovative and impactful education research. Part of UW-Madison’s highly ranked School of Education, it is one of the first and most productive education research centers in the world, providing a research home for about 140 grant-funded projects and staff and generating more than $80 million in awards and services annually. WCER employs approximately 500 people and distributes educational services and classroom materials globally, most notably for teachers of English language learners. Over the past 50 years, the center’s varied research, evaluation, and development has influenced educational policy and practice in a variety of contexts, ranging from preschool to doctoral programs. At WCER, all employees share five fundamental organization values to guide the purpose and quality of our work and interactions within ourselves and our outside stakeholders. The values that the work and people of WCER strive to uphold are: – Innovation and Excellence. Continuous improvement is a driver for excellence. We innovate and improve in our work to advance education through leading research and development. – Equitable Education. Equitable education is essential to a healthy society. We aim to reverse imbalances and injustices in education through our work. – Affirming and Increasing Diversity. Individual differences and group diversity inspire creative and equitable outcomes. We actively affirm and seek to increase such diversity in our center. – Healthy Workplace. The well-being of our workplace enhances success for all. We commit to a workplace based on mutual respect and transparency. – Partnering Across Differences. Diverse backgrounds and expertise improve the quality of our work. We collaborate across disciplines, methodologies, organizations, and communities to strengthen our research and development outcomes. How to Apply: Please click on the “Apply Now” button to start the application process. As part of the application process, you will be required to submit: – A cover letter addressed to Hanna Blazel, WCER COO, describing how your experience and qualifications meet the requirements of this position – A current resume – A list with the contact information of at least three professional references – Finalists will be asked to submit their portfolio if asked to participate in an interview Our center is conscious of inequities in the field of education and how these disproportionately harm the most marginalized members of our society- including BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) individuals, people from poor and working-class backgrounds, people with disabilities, women, and LGBTQ people. We firmly believe that these communities must be centered in the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage applications from people with these identities or members of other marginalized groups. Contact: Rosemary Delgadillo rdelgadillo@wisc.edu Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information. Official Title: Communications Director (B)(CM053) Department(s): A17-SCHOOL OF EDUCATION/WCER Employment Class: Limited Job Number: 276750-LI   The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/ Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department .