Description

Apply Here: https://jobs.coloradocollege.edu/jobs/director-public-relations-on-campus-colorado-united-states

Full Consideration Date: 01/14/26

The Director of Public Relations at Colorado College is a strategic and hands-on leadership role responsible for building awareness, cultivating affinity, and driving advocacy for the Colorado College brand. Reporting to the Vice President for Strategic Communications and Marketing, the Director leads the college’s public relations strategy – centered on owned, shared, and earned media – and serves as a key advisor in proactively protecting and positioning the college’s brand and reputation.

This role oversees the development and execution of a robust, data-informed owned media and content strategy and serves as a steward of the college’s narrative in moments of opportunity and scrutiny alike. The Director supervises the Director of Media Relations and the Associate Director of Strategic Storytelling (overseeing the alumni magazine and content marketing) and collaborates closely with other departmental leaders in Marketing, Institutional Communications, and Creative & Brand Management to orchestrate the public launch of major institutional initiatives and new programs.

The Director is both a strategic thinker and a skilled practitioner who contributes directly to the development of messaging, content, and execution of high-profile public relations initiatives in collaboration with campus colleagues and leaders. 

Requirements

30%
Strategic Public Relations & Brand Positioning (30%)

Lead a proactive, narrative-driven public relations strategy that elevates the Colorado College brand across owned, shared, and earned media platforms.
Shape and steward the college’s public positioning in alignment with its mission, values, and strategic priorities.
Serve as a thought partner to the VP and OCM colleagues in developing reputational messaging and brand-forward storytelling.
Oversee the public rollout of new programs in close collaboration with marketing, communications, and creative leaders.
Lead institutional storytelling and reputation-focused communications across owned, earned, and shared media platforms.
Partner with the Directors of Marketing and Institutional Communications to ensure consistency of message frameworks and timing across internal and external audiences.
Serve as a core member of the Office of Communications & Marketing’s leadership team, working collaboratively with other directors and VP to ensure aligned planning, resource coordination, and shared accountability for institutional communications outcomes.
 
20%
Owned Media & Content Strategy (20%)

Develop and oversee an integrated content strategy to drive audience engagement, community building, and advocacy.
Ensure timely, high-quality updates and storytelling across the college’s website, digital channels, and flagship publications.
Guide the creation of cohesive brand narratives, owned content calendars, and distribution strategies across platforms.
Contribute directly to the development of content and messaging as a hands-on leader.
20%
Issues Management & Community Relations (20%)

Serve as lead on flashpoint issues communications and response strategy under the direction of the VP.
Partner with campus stakeholders and partners to anticipate, monitor, and respond to reputational risks.
Lead proactive community relations efforts, including institutional participation in local partnerships and public forums.
Oversee development and execution of key brand activations and integration of branding at signature events, in collaboration with OCM and College events colleagues.
15%
Performance Measurement & Impact Reporting (15%)

Establish and track KPIs related to public relations, content performance, reputation-building, and community engagement.
Regularly report on outcomes and return on investment (ROI) to VP, informing strategic refinement and demonstrating impact.
Use data to optimize messaging, distribution strategies, and stakeholder engagement.
 
10%
Team Leadership & Institutional Collaboration (10%)

Lead, mentor, and manage members of PR team.
Promote cross-functional team collaboration, integration, and alignment across the Communications and Marketing division and beyond.
 
10%
Other Duties as Assigned (5%)

Contribute to divisional planning, special initiatives, or presidential priorities as needed / requested.
Stay abreast of higher education trends, audience behavior, and the evolving media landscape.
Complete and contribute to other duties as assigned. 
 

Collaboration Skills:
Communications are highly sophisticated and involve final decisions or recommendations regarding policy development and implementation. Interactions with others outside the organization require exercising participative management skills.
 

Technical Knowledge: 
Work requires advanced skills and knowledge in approaches and systems, which affect the design and implementation of major programs and/or processes.
 

Relevant Background and Formal Education: 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs)

Knowledge

Strategic expertise in public relations, brand positioning, and narrative development.
Strong command of owned, earned, and shared content strategies and their brand building contribution.
Deep understanding of content lifecycle management and storytelling in traditional and digital platforms.
Familiarity with media relations, community engagement, and reputation management.
Knowledge of performance metrics, KPIs, and ROI frameworks in public relations and strategic communications.
Skills

Exceptional writing, editing, and messaging development skills.
Strong interpersonal and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Proficiency with digital content tools, CMS platforms, and basic analytics software.
Excellent organizational, planning, and project management skills.
Skilled at interpreting and using data to drive communications strategy.
Abilitie

Ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams.
Ability to manage complex, high-stakes situations with discretion and clarity.
Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with senior leadership and across divisions.
Ability to manage multiple priorities with agility in a dynamic environment.
Demonstrated ability to be both a strategic leader and an active contributor to the work.
 
Qualifications

Required

Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a related field.
Minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible experience in public relations, communications, or brand strategy.
Minimum of 3 years of supervisory or team leadership experience.
Demonstrated ability to lead both strategy and execution with impact.
Must be an exceptional writer and collaborative leader.
Preferred

Experience in higher education or mission-driven organizational settings.
Familiarity with reputation management tools and community relations strategy.
 
Education:       Bachelor’s degree in a related field

 
Experience:         7 years of experience in a related field + 3 years of supervisory experience

Education and Experience Equivalency
One year of relevant work experience may be substituted for one year of required education (OR) one year of relevant academic coursework beyond the minimum requirement may be substituted for one year of required professional experience.
 

Supervision Exercised:  
This classification requires managing and monitoring work performance by directing supervisors and managers, including making final decisions on hiring and disciplinary actions, evaluating program/work objectives and effectiveness, and realigning work.
Supervision Received:  
Performs the duty assignments with broad parameters defined by general organizational requirements and accepted practices. The end results determine the effectiveness of job performance.
 

Organizational Risk Management and Compliance:  
This role involves setting policies, strategies, and frameworks for managing risk and ensuring compliance across the organization. They are responsible for assessing high-level risks, implementing risk mitigation strategies, and designing frameworks.
 

Fiscal Responsibility:  
This specification oversees budget preparation and monitors fiscal expenditures. Reviews and approves expenditures of significant budgeted funds or does research and prepares recommendations for organization-wide budget expenditures.
 

Environmental Conditions
Frequency
Primary Work Environment
Office Environment
Extreme Temperature
Never
Wetness and Humidity
Never
Respiratory Hazards
Never
Noise and Vibrations
Never
Physical Hazards
Never
Mechanical and/or Electrical Hazards
Never
Exposure to Communicable Diseases
Never