Reports to Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Position Purpose
Working under the direction of the Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement, the Strategic Communications and Public Relations Manager develops, executes, and manages internal and external communications initiatives across print and web channels. This position is responsible for creating compelling content that promotes and enhances Williamson’s brand, mission, and reputation among key audiences, including alumni, prospective students, parents, students, faculty, staff, donors, and community partners.
The Strategic Communications and Public Relations Manager advances institutional goals through integrated communications, public relations, and media outreach strategies. Key responsibilities include developing press releases, media pitches, feature stories, executive communications, speeches, and other strategic content that highlights Williamson’s programs, achievements, and mission.
This is a full-time, on-site position.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities/Functions
Communications & Content Development
- Develop, write, and edit content for the College’s website, print publications, and other institutional communications.
- Create compelling communications for diverse audiences, including alumni, donors, prospective students, parents, faculty, staff, and community stakeholders.
- Draft executive communications, including presidential messages, keynote speaker introductions, speeches, talking points, and event remarks.
- Research and write biographies, profiles, feature stories, and award recipient narratives for institutional publications and special events.
- Support college representatives with presentation development, speaking notes, and related communications materials.
Public Relations and Media Relations
- In collaboration with the Associate Vice President and Vice President of Institutional Advancement, develop and execute public relations strategies that enhance the College’s visibility and reputation.
- Manage media inquiries and serve as a primary point of contact for local and regional media outlets.
- Write and distribute press releases, media advisories, and story pitches that highlight institutional achievements, events, and initiatives.
- Cultivate and maintain relationships with journalists, broadcasters, podcasters, influencers, and other media professionals to secure positive media coverage.
Publications and Brand Management
- Assist with the design and development of print and digital communications that effectively promote and advance Williamson’s mission, values, and strategic priorities.
- Manage the production of major institutional publications, including The Williamsonian, and The President’s Report, ensuring projects are completed on schedule and within budget.
- Partner with the Creative Director to maintain brand integrity and ensure compliance with institutional identity standards across all communications and publications.
- Serve as a liaison to campus departments for print and digital design projects, publication requests, and printing services.
Advancement Support
- Produce feature stories on students, faculty, alumni, programs, and institutional outcomes.
- Support the planning and execution of alumni, donor, and institutional events.
- Coordinate recognition items, awards, plaques, and gifts for keynote speakers, honorees, and special guests.
- Assist with event communications and promotional materials in partnership with Advancement staff.
Additional Responsibilities
- Serve as advisor to the student staff of The Mechanic yearbook.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
Qualifications (Skills and Abilities Required)
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, Journalism, English, or a related field.
- Three years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, marketing, or a related field; higher education experience preferred.
- Exceptional writing, editing, proofreading, and storytelling skills, with the ability to tailor content to diverse audiences and communication channels.
- Strong verbal communication and presentation skills, including experience preparing speeches, talking points, and executive communications.
- Demonstrated ability to cultivate productive relationships with internal stakeholders, media representatives, alumni, donors, community partners, and external vendors.
- Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize competing deadlines, and deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and adaptability in a dynamic work environment.
- Commitment to providing exceptional customer service and support to internal and external constituents.
- Willingness to work occasional evenings and weekends in support of institutional events and activities.
- Commitment to actively engaging in the Williamson community and supporting the institution’s core values of Faith, Integrity, Diligence, Excellence, and Service.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in higher education, nonprofit, or advancement communications.
- Knowledge of the Greater Philadelphia media market and experience developing relationships with regional media outlets.
- Experience managing media relations, including press releases, media pitching, and securing earned media coverage.
- Experience writing and producing publications, newsletters, annual reports, alumni magazines, and other print and digital communications.
- Experience coordinating with vendors and managing print production projects within established budgets.
Working Conditions
- Occasional travel may be required.
- Occasional irregular hours to attend college sponsored events.
- Works in a clean, well-lighted, temperature-controlled environment.
Physical Requirements
- Routine office work with extensive sitting, standing, bending, stooping, climbing stairs, and walking around the campus.
- Ability to lift and carry no more than 25 pounds.
- Licensed driver.
Supervisory Responsibility
Works with student clubs, such as the Yearbook Club and other groups
Work Environment
Williamson College of the Trades is an endowed, gift supported three-year, independent, post-secondary, technical college for economically qualified young men. The college, founded over 130 years ago, is a community of 330 students and 80 part-time/full-time instructors, administrators, and support staff operating on a beautiful 220-acre campus near Media, PA.
Williamson is dedicated to teaching trade and technical skills, related general education, and moral and ethical values from a Christian perspective. The total educational environment is designed to foster trade and academic competence, self-discipline, personal integrity, exemplary conduct, and a commitment to honesty, dependability, productivity, resourcefulness, and quality workmanship.
The college has a totally residential student body and all admitted students receive full scholarships covering room and board, tuition, and most textbooks. Student life is carefully structured, including a prescribed daily schedule, a dress code, required chapel, and clearly defined opportunities and responsibilities. For more information, visit: www.williamson.edu.
Other Duties
Please note this position (job) description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position (job). Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Application Procedure
Email resume and cover letter that details relevant experience and contact information for three references to:
Patricia Ewing
Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement
[email protected]
