Communications Director

Communications Director - (24140261) Position Title: Communications Director Location: Helena, Montana Salary: $75,000 to $80,000 The Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education invites applications for the position of Communications Director.
The Montana University System (MUS) delivers an excellent array of teaching, learning, research and support services to more than 40,000 enrolled college and university students and to residents in all 56 counties of Montana.
The Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education (OCHE) is the administrative head of the MUS.
The system is governed by the Montana Board of Regents (BOR), made up of citizens appointed to seven-year terms.
OCHE and campus personnel work together to improve student success, academic progress and attainment, technological and scientific discovery, economic development and workforce productivity.
OCHE provides campuses and outreach programs with academic, administrative, fiscal, legal and policy leadership.
OCHE staff members have frequent interaction and collaboration with students, campus leaders, state government policy makers, business and industry leaders, and education advocates at all levels.
OCHE is committed to providing Montana taxpayers and tuition payers at 16 public colleges and universities with a single efficient, effective system of higher education.
This position is a full-time, term-contract position renewable annually in accordance with Board of Regents personnel policies.
The position is eligible for employee benefits (health insurance, sick leave and vacation leave, state holidays, retirement program, staff & dependent tuition waivers in accordance with state law and Board of Regents policy).
Helena, the state’s capital city, is located along the Rocky Mountains continental divide near the scenic Missouri River about half-way between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks.
Description of Position: The Communications Director works with OCHE colleagues, campus personnel, news organizations, student groups, employers, schools and state and community leaders to keep the public well informed about services, opportunities and issues in the Montana University System.
The Communications Director is responsible for disseminating system news and information to strengthen the awareness that taxpayers and tuition payers have about higher-education options, finances, issues and outcomes.
The Communications Director helps the MUS boil down large volumes of information into concise, relevant, widely disseminated messages about educational issues and opportunities that affect the lives of Montanans.
Duties and Responsibilities: Reporting to the Deputy Commissioner for Government Relations and Communication, the Communications Director exercises the following duties and responsibilities: Work with MUS campus communications professionals to gather relevant campus news and disseminate the information to broader audiences on a statewide basis.
Work with OCHE colleagues to condense information about a diversity of MUS issues and initiatives into concise news updates that effectively communicate to Montanans the value and opportunities of higher education.
Write and edit on a daily basis in a range of formats and styles suitable for news releases, press advisories, marketing messages, slide and web presentations, responses to information requests, and business correspondence.
Write news stories about student and system accomplishments in an upbeat feature story news style, or straight news style, suitable for the content and situation to generate student and public interest in MUS opportunities.
Produce attractive and informative publications for public dissemination by working with campus-based graphic design professionals on publication appearance and OCHE colleagues on publication content.
Coordinate media relations for OCHE programs, distribution lists for news releases and updates, media database of reporter and editor contacts with Montana print and broadcast news organizations.
Depending on the subject or situation, in close coordination with the Commissioner and OCHE staff, serve as spokesperson for OCHE in the role of agency public information officer.
Represent OCHE in the network of state government agency public information officers.
Coordinate closely with OCHE and MUS personnel in planning and implementing system communication strategies for all situations.
Participate in the development of MUS legislative proposals, drafting legislation and issue papers supporting the MUS legislative agenda.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications: At least five years of successful experience in a relevant communications capacity in journalism, or comparable public information capacity; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated proficiency in writing and editing clearly, concisely and grammatically with specific language and active voice to cut through the information clutter that most readers encounter in a typical day.
Demonstrated understanding of media relations, news deadline and Montana legislative operating environments.
Knowledge of MUS programs and initiatives.
Excellent organizational, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
Initiative and thoroughness.
Customer orientation to complete tasks with concern for the satisfaction of external and internal customers.
Ability to plan and deliver communications through effective multimedia messaging to a diverse audience of college and university personnel, students, state taxpayers, Montana employers, government policy makers, business and community leaders.
Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint.
Operational knowledge of Montana.
(e.
g.
, awareness of the state’s education system, economy, government structure and history.
) A bachelor’s degree.
Preferred: Proficiency in news writing style (e.
g.
, inverted pyramid form, AP Stylebook, Strunk & White Elements of Style, etc.
).
Capability and creativity across marketing and communications platforms including print, web, email and social media.
Application Requirements Please submit (1.
) a cover letter that addresses the candidate’s qualifications and abilities to perform the listed duties and responsibilities, (2.
) a comprehensive resume including relevant education and experience, and (3.
) a list of three professional references.
Applications may be mailed to OCHE (Attention: Human Resources), PO Box 203201, Helena, MT 59620-3201, or emailed to OCHEhr@montana.
edu, or submitted on the State of Montana Careers website (https://statecareers.
mt.
gov/).
Electronic submission of application materials is encouraged.
The position is open until filled.
Candidates should submit applications by 5:00 p.
m.
on Monday, February 5, 2024, to receive early consideration in an initial screening of applications.
This position is eligible for veterans’ preference in accordance with state law.
Approval will be obtained before contacting the candidates’ current employer.
Reasonable Accommodations: Under state and federal law qualified applicants with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations.
Modifications or adjustments may be provided to assist applicants to compete in the recruitment and selection process.
An applicant must request an accommodation when needed.
If you need any such accommodation, contact the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education at 406-449-9155.
TDD users may use the relay service by dialing 711.
An EEO Employer Applicant Pool Statement: If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection.
Training Assignment: Not Applicable Salary: $ 75,000.
00 - 80,000.
00 Yearly Telework Eligibility: Not Telework Eligible Benefits Package Eligibility: Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan Number of Openings: 1 Employee Status: Regular Schedule: Full-Time Shift: Day Job Travel: Yes, 10 % of the Time Primary Location: Helena Agency: Commissioner of Higher Ed Union: 000 - None Posting Date: Jan 23, 2024, 4:26:33 PM Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone): Ongoing Required Application Materials: Cover Letter, Resume, References Contact Name: Jackie Salveson | Contact Email: OCHEhr@montana.
edu | Contact Phone: 406-449-9155