School of Music - Dean's Office

80891BR

Communications, Officer

None - Not included in the union (Yale Union Group)

Full time

Regular

Administration & Operations

Supervisor; Senior Associate (P5)

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Central Campus

435 College Street
New Haven, CT 06511

Standard (M-F equal number of hours per day)

Communications/Editing/Teaching

37.5

Reporting to the Dean of the Yale School of Music (YSM), the Director of Communications develops and implements strategic communications and marketing strategies that advance the mission of the Yale School of Music to all stakeholders, both internally and externally. The Director also leads the marketing and communication efforts to promote the School’s programming and initiatives to global communities.
Responsibilities include the following: Serves as a member of the Dean’s cabinet, providing communications counsel for school-wide strategy, crisis communication, and programming. Acts as YSM’s point of contact and partners with the Yale Office of Public Affairs and Communications to further YSM’s presence in at-large Yale communications and through Yale media Determines and recommends effective response strategies, often in crisis situations requiring 24/7 attention and intense media/public scrutiny and articulates the school’s position via personal interviews or written responses. The Director provides direct and close communications and editorial support to the Dean, and manages internal and external communications, highlighting and funneling appropriate communications to targeted constituencies, thereby ensuring consistency and cohesiveness in delivered messages. Supervises a team of three full-time staff and student workers. Hires and oversees freelance photographers, web developers, designers, writers, and other outside contributors. Responsible for crafting, prioritizing, and implementing overall communications, branding, and marketing strategy supporting YSM’s larger goals and enhancing its international reputation. Oversees and manages all strategic communications and marketing efforts – brand management; admissions recruiting; advancement services; concert and event promotion; institutional marketing; creative services; traditional and new digital media; media relations; crisis communications; and more. Creates compelling stories for media and develops major marketing plans for advertising including print and digital platforms, video, social media, radio, and other outlets. Manages the school’s social media platforms, YSM website, and other digital accounts. Manages the creation, production, budget, and dissemination of the School’s major publications: admissions viewbook, Music at Yale (alumni magazine), the School of Music Bulletin, and the concert season brochure. Oversees the Communication’s Office budget and reporting. Develops cohesive communications and marketing strategies for the promotion of YSM’s partner institutions: the Yale Collection of Musical Instruments and the Yale Summer School of Music/Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. Develops and maintains YSM style guides with standards in design, typography, layout, and image quality. Consults with the Office of the University Printer to ensure alignment with Yale University branding guidelines.

1. Manages relationships with external media sources. Pursues media coverage creatively and aggressively. Responds to inquiries from national and international news media, student media, the University community and the general public. 2. Enhances the overall quality of media relations for key stakeholders by preparing them for media interviews. Manages relationships with key campus stakeholders with a high degree of professionalism, judgment and understanding of stakeholder goals. 3. Creates compelling story ideas and narratives; produces content for both external and internal channels; writes copy and social media posts and manages content. 4. Plans social media strategies for key University communications and programs. Monitors University social media assets for negative comments or misinformation. 5. Supports short- and long-term communication planning with insights into audiences, channels and culture; coordinates with other communications professionals to achieve institutional goals; leads the communications process within developed standards and protocols. 6. Supports effective response strategies, often in crisis situations requiring 24/7 attention and intense media/public scrutiny, and articulates the University’s position via personal interviews or written responses. 7. Produces multimedia content and manages the work of graphic and web designers, student interns, printers, video producers and photographers. 8. Manages communication plans for all stakeholders by understanding the significance of campus initiatives and/or academic work; creates compelling stories and messages to translate the significance through language that is clear and accessible for public awareness. 9. Develops and maintains regular contact with media representatives in multiple disciplines. 10. Maintains the Yale brand and graphic identity standards; supports and maintains standard operating procedures; contributes to digital asset management. 11. May perform other duties as assigned.

Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications or related field and five years of experience in public relations, journalism, television, corporate communications or agency work or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Demonstrated experience in developing communications for a range of media and working with creative professionals in design, photography or video.

Exceptional communication skills with special emphasis on developing communication strategy, advanced writing ability, and editorial accuracy. Strong leadership and interpersonal communication abilities.

Demonstrated strategic writing, editing, and oral communication skills. Ability to analyze and articulate ideas to internal and external stakeholders, as well as write press releases, develop marketing and ad copy, and manage brand identity, both visual and written, of the institution.

Demonstrated experience in developing communications for a range of media and working with creative professionals in design, photography, video, and web design and management.

Ability to independently lead a team of creatives, set priorities, and deadlines, and excel in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment.

Strong graphic design and visual sensibilities; excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

Experience working in marketing and communications in a higher education institution or performing arts organization. Familiarity with classical music preferred, but not required. Advanced degree in communications or related field, preferred.

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All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.

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The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the particular position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring departments.

University policy is committed to affirmative action under law in employment of women, minority group members, individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans. Additionally, in accordance with Yale’s Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment, and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual’s sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.

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