Director of Communications

SUMMARY:

The Director of Communications will refine and maintain the Association’s brand positioning and standards—raising its visibility, and positioning IACLEA as “the leading authority for campus public safety” and the premier campus police and public safety professional membership association.  The director will develop, produce, and disseminate the Association’s core communications; craft communications strategies to advance all Association strategic goals, particularly to grow membership, increase revenue, and enhance member engagement in IACLEA programs and services.

POSITION DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The director provides specialized communications and strategic marketing leadership to support all Association programmatic and membership/revenue initiatives. S/he advances all Association endeavors across channels, through internal and external communications vehicles.   This person must possess an extensive knowledge of digital, print, and broadcast media and be a versatile, effective writer and editor.  This position reports to the executive director.

The director will work with the executive director and as a team member with every staff member to implement IACLEA’s mission and ensure goals, objectives, and deliverables are professionally completed on time and on budget.  The Director of Communications will be responsible for all official communications with members of the Association, the public, media, government officials, law enforcement, other campus partners, the Board of Directors, and Committee Chairs. 

The Director of Communications position shares responsibility for supervising one staff member who supports the communications function part-time.. Additional S/he will coordinate with staff who are involved in communications projects or work that needs a communications plan or materials. Such materials include collateral materials for membership promotion and member renewal, conference and training event marketing, promotion of the IACLEA Accreditation program and professional services, among other income-generating and member benefits programs and services.

The Director of Communications staffs IACLEA’s Communications Committee.  The Committee is comprised of volunteers from the IACLEA membership who have experience and interest in advancing IACLEA’s program of work and services through the association’s marketing and communications program.

Work is accomplished with a high degree of independent judgment, the ability to juggle multiple tasks, comprehensive attention to detail, advanced problem solving and is characterized by non-reoccurring and reoccurring projects.  It is vital that the person in this position think ahead, anticipate, and develop schedules and systems to meet the needs of the Association, executive director, the Board of Directors, and staff. 

The director must possess considerable knowledge of publishing, graphic design, website development and content management, social media, writing, verbal communications, and photographic, digital, and other communications mediums.  This position requires the individual to staff committees, task forces, meetings, to take notes, and coordinate schedules.  Employees are expected to work in partnership, to provide leadership to the profession and the Association’s members.  

PERCENT GOALS AND ACTIVITIES:

95% A. Director of Communications

1. Support IACLEA’s mission and goals with a team-oriented approach.

2. Consult with ED on a regular basis on upcoming issues/matters. Use independent judgment in assessing urgency of problems and questions from board Members, Members, staff, and the media. 

3. Maintain information and communications link with all Association offices: The Executive Director, Accreditation Program, Conference Staff, Training Program, Government and External Relations, and Membership/Administration.
4. Responsible, along with other staff, for the progress of activities in support of the strategic plan.
5. Director will develop, create, and publish the quarterly Campus Law Enforcement Journal. Issues are published electronically, except the Summer, Annual Report edition, which is printed and mailed.
6. Develop, create, and publish the weekly IACLEA News Bulletin.
7. Develop and conduct marketing plans and campaigns to increase membership, promote services, events, and trainings, most notably the Annual Conference & Exposition, a major revenue-generator for the Association. This includes multi-channel marketing campaigns to reach IACLEA members and external audiences.
8. Has overall responsibility for maintaining a vibrant website, ensuring iaclea.org is the go-to destination for campus public safety professionals. Coordinate other trained website administrators.  Material for the site could be researched, found, or created. 
9. Develop and implement a social media strategy, presence, and continuing interaction beneficial to the membership.
10. Periodically, draft speeches and presentations for the president of the Association and the executive director
11. Ensure visibility (including upholding contractual commitments) of IACLEA Corporate Partners.
12. Compile and provide evidence-based practices, as well as relevant existing templates, toolkits, guidebooks, protocols, and other related communications materials.
13. Work with subject matter experts and researchers to identify and gather information on critical issues to inform the field and publish fact sheets and issue briefs.
14. Highlight and promote innovative and evidence-based practices specific to public safety challenges, using multiple IACLEA communications vehicles and strategies to do so.
15. Effectively respond to information and technical assistance requests from the field and media.
16. Coordinate communications, still photography (and when requested video) for advocacy and Capitol Hill events, Annual Conference, or other activities.
17. Staff the Communications Committee. Engage volunteers in the committee’s activities and in the association’s program of work.
18. Coordinate with the Director of Government and External Relations, maintain awareness of and assist in the dissemination of legislative updates in the association’s relevant communications channels.
19. Author and/or edit articles for various publications including bulletins, newsletters, and reports.
20. Work with Director of Conferences, and Membership and Business Development to keep IACLE membership data “clean.”
21. Communicate ideas for improvement and success of projects and initiatives with a positive and constructive team-oriented approach.
22. Attend scheduled meetings and events.

5% B. Other tasks as assigned, including, but not limited to:

1. Develop and maintain a procedural manual for the duties performed within the scope of this position.
2. Provide back-up during employee vacations and emergencies.
3. Work special events as needed, including Annual Conference, visits to Capitol Hill, Executive Development Institute, First-Line Supervisor Institute, and regional meetings as assigned.
4. Assist team members, as needed, in project implementation and completion.
5. Other duties as assigned.