Director of Digital Communications

New York Medical College (NYMC) is seeking a dynamic and experienced Director of Digital Communications to join the Office of Public Relations (PR). Reporting to the Vice President of Communications and Strategic Initiatives, this position is responsible for website management, social media, digital ads, apps, the campus map, and more. Leading NYMC’s digital marketing and communications presence, the director will work closely with all members of the PR team as well as all departments and schools. The Director will manage projects from conception through delivery, ensuring alignment with NYMC’s brand identity and strategic goals. This individual will serve as the primary point of contact for web coordinators across the campus to ensure the website reflects accurate and up-to-date information. With strategic and creative oversight of NYMC’s social media presence, the Director will develop compelling posts and work with communications professionals and student ambassadors from all schools to manage NYMC’s social media presence. This individual will be responsible for all NYMC’s digital ad campaigns as well as tracking results. 

• Create and maintain accurate content and media assets utilizing Terminal Four, NYMC’s web content management system (CMS). Completing web edits and updates in a timely and accurate fashion. Utilize SiteImprove to ensure that there are no errors or broken links.
• Ensure a consistent look and feel of the College website in adherence to the College style and branding guide while ensuring compliance with web accessibility standards.
• Work directly with the Touro University web development team to ensure proper website management is maintained.
• Provide oversight to NYMC web content contributors including conducting trainings, keeping them abreast of best practices and ensuring every section of the website adheres to publishing guidelines to preserve user experience design and safeguard website usability. Review and approve all edits made by web editors in a timely manner before they go live. 
• Ensure all web content is up to date and accurate.
• Manage part-time web interns.
• Continuously monitor and managing website analytics and increase website SEO. Work with the Touro University web team to test, evaluate and correct findings, in CMS as assigned.
• Manage all digital software solutions including the campus calendar (Trumba), campus map (Campus 3d) strategic planning software (Cascade), social media management (Agorapulse), and the NYMC app (Shoutem).
• Oversee all social media channels and ensure that the College social media policy is followed.
• Create compelling social media content including reels, infographics, videos, and posts for all channels. Maintain a social media calendar to ensure a consistent variety of posts each day and collaborate with the entire PR team on content and posts.
• Review all social media posts across all channels to ensure proper branding and messaging are utilized.
• Respond to comments and questions and engage with social media followers.
• Manage student social media ambassador program. Provide training on social media best practices, review all content submissions, manage recruitment and payment, and approve all final posts. 
• Identify digital advertising opportunities as appropriate to increase brand awareness and elevate the reputation of the College to specific audiences. Work with each school on their digital advertising strategy and budget.
• Oversee and manage all digital advertising and work with an outside vendor on campaigns.
• Keep detailed tracking reports on website statistics, social media posts, digital ad campaigns, app usage, and more. Provide a summary of digital communications activities and performance for an end-of-year report.
• Maintain a record of login credentials for (school/department/office) social media accounts that are associated with NYMC, and the accounts portray and promote the College in a way that is consistent with the institutional mission and reputation.
• Ensure proper maintenance of departmental repositories and shared files (network drives, Qualtrics, Box, etc.). Create and manage forms and surveys using Qualtrics.
• Monitor incoming content of campus communication channels and proactively seek out opportunities to effectively represent the institution’s academic programs, key activities, news, events, spotlights, campaigns and initiatives, and ensure that timely and accurate information is publicized.
• Stay abreast of industry best practices and continuously monitor higher education landscape by researching and gathering information on benchmark institutions’ digital media presence (social media, videos, advertisements and website) to keep up to date on the latest trends and propose ideas that will enhance NYMC’s brand.
• Conduct focus groups and surveys to assess outcomes.
• Other duties as assigned.

Education requirement: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, or related field required.  

Technical/computer skills: 

• Exceptionally strong oral and written communications skills, specifically in copyediting and/or proofreading in print, web, video and social media.
• Experience in using social media as part of an organization required (a higher education institution preferred).
• Experience with a web content management system CMS, web improvement and web analytics is required.
• Experience with social media software such as Hootsuite or Agorapulse.
• Experience managing digital advertising strategy.

Prior experience: 

• 5+ managerial experience in digital communications; progressively responsible relevant experience including supervisory experience of a team.
• High-level understanding of and experience with communications strategy and branding, especially as it relates to higher education.
• Strong leadership background in an office setting and exceptional management skills to collaboratively work and foster teamwork, high motivation and commitment, with a demonstrated ability to lead projects and/or teams working towards a common objective.
• Strong understanding of digital media and ability to apply it to enhance existing and future communication initiatives.
• Strong organization skills, project management skills and time management skills, is a must with a proven ability to prioritize and deliver in a dynamic environment, managing multiple projects and responsibilities concurrently.
• Excellent problem-solving capabilities and experience thinking critically; a willingness to navigate ambiguous tasks, find suitable solutions and seek help/advice where appropriate.
• Proficiency to direct vendors, including printers, writers, photographers and multi-media teams.
• Strong collaboration skills and proactively seek, evaluate and share, information within a team-based/office environment.
• Ability to be creative and strategic with strong attention to detail.
• Interpersonal experience with high-level positions and/or member/customer service experience required with the ability to work effectively with various constituents across an organization.

This position works regular business hours, but will be expected to work outside of these hours in cases of special events, crisis communications, emergencies, breaking news, etc.

Internal Contacts: Administration, employees, faculty and students.

External Contacts: TU communications and Web teams; vendors, including printers, writers, photographers, graphic designers, web designers/developers, media buyers, multimedia videographers and video production professionals teams, campus map vendor, College app vendor, external web-based solution teams.