Director of Communications

Salary: $80,426.00 - $90,894.00 Annually
Location : South Charleston, WV
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 25-07
Division: Policy Commission Office
Opening Date: 04/24/2025
Closing Date: 5/25/2025 11:59 PM Eastern

General Job Summary
The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the West Virginia Community and Technical College System are seeking a visionary and strategic Director of Communications to lead storytelling, media relations, and marketing efforts that elevate the impact of higher education across the state. This is more than a communications role; it's an opportunity to help transform lives by supporting West Virginians in accessing and succeeding in postsecondary education and workforce training. As our senior communications leader, you'll drive bold strategies, craft compelling narratives, and build meaningful relationships with students, communities, and higher education partners.

Classification: Full Time, Non-Classified, Exempt, Benefits-Eligible
Duties and Responsibilities
This position serves as a member of the Chancellor's senior staff. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Leading the charge in shaping and executing a comprehensive communications strategy to support statewide higher education goals.
• Serving as the agency's public information officer and primary media spokesperson.
• In collaboration with the chancellor and executive vice chancellor, overseeing internal communications strategy and mechanisms, including quarterly meetings, email, newsletters, SharePoint and other delivery methods.
• Developing and delivering high-impact content, including media releases, op-eds, speeches, and digital campaigns.
• Overseeing and growing the agency's social media presence and ensuring a cohesive voice across multiple agency-run platforms.
• Advising executive leadership and cabinet members to strategize messaging and programmatic initiatives to elevate the agency's visibility and credibility statewide and nationally.
• Managing relationships with external vendors and marketing partners to produce compelling print and digital materials.
• Supervising and inspiring the communications coordinator and collaborating with teams across the agency to align messaging, branding and strategy.
• Managing the departmental budget, ensuring fiscal responsibility and adherence to financial guidelines. This includes planning, monitoring, and reporting on expenditures to align with the agency's strategic goals.
• Scheduling and organizing departmental activities, meetings, and events to ensure efficient workflow and effective communication among team members. Evaluating employee and departmental performance through metrics and analytics to identify areas for improvement and implement changes as necessary to optimize outcomes.

Minimum Requirements
A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate discipline such as Public Relations, Journalism, Communications, Marketing or closely related field; and a minimum of (7) seven years of experience in the external relations/communications industry related to academic, media marketing, and/or public relations.
Prefer (2) two years of experience supervising full-time employees.

Higher education systems and government relations experience preferred.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

The ideal candidate is a strategic, modern communicator with a strong grasp of both traditional and emerging media - and the ability to craft and deliver messages that inform, inspire, and engage diverse audiences across West Virginia and beyond. The ideal candidate will bring:

• Broad expertise across today's communications ecosystem, including traditional media (broadcast, print), digital platforms (web, email, social media), and emerging content formats (video, audio, interactive media).
• A proven ability to build and maintain trusted relationships with media, influencers, and community stakeholders at the local, state, and national levels.
• Outstanding writing and editing skills, with mastery of Associated Press (AP) style and the ability to produce high-impact content on tight deadlines.
• Experience using data and analytics to guide communications strategy.
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365, WordPress (or comparable CMS), and comfort with digital marketing and analytics tools such as Google Analytics or Meta Business Suite. Experience with CRM or stakeholder engagement platforms is a plus.
• A strong visual sensibility and familiarity with graphic design tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) or Canva. The ability to create or oversee the production of branded, visually compelling materials is highly valued.
• A commitment to brand consistency, with an understanding of how to align all communications - visual and written - with established agency voice, style, and identity standards.
• Excellent public speaking and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to represent the agency confidently and clearly across a variety of settings.
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to thrive in a cross-functional, fast-paced environment focused on public service and student success.
• Experience in or knowledge of public higher education systems and policy is a plus.

Supplemental Information

Closing Date: May 30, 2025

Application Process: In addition to filling out the online application, qualified candidates must submit a letter of interest, contact information for three professional references and a writing sample.

IMPORTANT: A writing sample is required. Your eligible score will be based on information provided in your application; therefore, make sure the work experience section in your application is detailed and complete.
Final candidates are subject to employment and credential verification, as well as reference and background checks.
Equal Opportunity Employer
The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, sex, national origin, age, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. The Commission and Council provide a collegial and respectful environment that values the contributions of its staff.
The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Health Insurance
• Life Insurance
• Dental
• Vision
• Hearing
• Legal Services
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Health Savings Account
• 401(a) Retirement Account with 6% Employer Matching Contribution
• Voluntary Supplemental Retirement Accounts
• Vacation Days
• Sick Days
• Paid Holidays

01

Do you have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in an appropriate discipline such as Public Relations, Journalism, Communications, Marketing or closely related field?

• Yes
• No

02

How much professional experience do you have in the external relations/communications industry related to academic, media marketing, and/or public relations?
03

What is your level of proficiency in Microsoft 365, WordPress (or comparable CMS), and comfort with digital marketing and analytics tools such as Google Analytics or Meta Business Suite? Briefly explain.
04

Do you have working knowledge of graphic design tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign) or Canva? If Yes, briefly explain. If No, enter NA.
05

Please provide a link to an example of your creative work (possible examples: address for a website you manage, link to a social media account you manage, Dropbox link to materials you designed, Youtube link to a video project, etc).
06

A writing sample is required with your application (possible examples: press release, op-ed or speech, etc.). Did you attach a writing sample?

• Yes
• No

07

How many years of experience do you have in a supervisory role?
08

Do you have higher education systems and government relations experience? If Yes, briefly explain. If No, enter NA.
Required Question