Director of Communications

Asbury Seminary has contracted with In HIS Name, LLC to conduct the search for this position.  Any interested candidates need to complete the Seminary's online application (link to the right) AND contact In HIS Name at recruiting@inhisnamehr.com in order to be considered.

Position Summary:

The Director of Communications provides strategic leadership in planning, developing, and executing communication initiatives that support the Seminary’s mission and institutional priorities. This role oversees internal and external communications, ensuring consistency, alignment with organizational goals, and effective engagement with key audiences. The Director is accountable for enhancing institutional visibility, managing brand integrity, and supporting executive leadership through coordinated messaging and media strategies. 

Essential Functions:

1. Strategic Communications Leadership & Planning
   • Develop and execute a comprehensive, integrated communications strategy aligned with the Seminary's strategic plan, fundraising objectives, and institutional priorities. 
   • Provide strategic counsel to the President, senior leadership, and various departments on all communications matters, including public relations, internal communications, crisis management, and brand positioning. 
   • Oversee the development and implementation of an annual communications plan, including objectives, target audiences, key messages, channels, and measurable outcomes. 
   • Conduct regular evaluations of communication effectiveness and adjust strategies as needed to optimize results. 
   • Acts as a key bridge between the Communications and Marketing departments, providing essential supporting and advisory functions to ensure cohesive messaging, consistent brand representation, and integrated campaign execution across all internal and external communication channels. 
2. Brand Management & Messaging
   • Serve as the primary steward of the Seminary's brand identity, ensuring consistent messaging, tone, and visual representation across all platforms and materials. 
   • Develop and enforce brand guidelines, providing training and support to internal stakeholders to ensure compliance. 
   • Craft compelling narratives that articulate the Seminary's unique mission, academic distinctives, impact, and values. 
   • Champion the Seminary's story, identifying and amplifying key successes, research, and community engagement initiatives. 
3. Public Relations & Media Relations
   • Develop and maintain strong relationships with media outlets, acting as a primary media contact when appropriate.
   • Leads the development of the annual institutional public relations plan and the production of related collateral. 
   • Coordinates the creation of press releases, media advisories, and op-eds to secure positive media coverage. 
   • Supports Seminary leadership and faculty for media interviews and public speaking engagements. 
   • Monitor media coverage, analyze trends, and identify opportunities for proactive engagement and reputation enhancement. 
   • Lead and coordinate crisis communication efforts, developing and implementing plans to manage sensitive issues and protect the Seminary's reputation. 
   • Leads the development of communication material to support donor and alumni engagement. 
4. Internal Communications
   • Oversee the development and execution of robust internal communication strategies to ensure faculty, staff, and students are well-informed, engaged, and connected to the Seminary's vision and daily operations. 
   • Manage internal communication channels (e.g., intranet, newsletters, internal announcements), ensuring timely, accurate, and relevant information dissemination. 
   • Foster a culture of transparency and open communication within the Seminary community. 
5. Digital & Multimedia Oversight
   • Provide strategic direction for the Seminary's digital presence (non-marketing), including social media channels, email communications, and multimedia content (video and audio), and alumni and giving sections of the website.
   • Oversee the content strategy and production for internal and external digital platforms, ensuring engaging, accessible, and up-to-date information. 
   • Partner with the Web Developer (LITS) to create impactful digital communication solutions for both internal and external audiences. 
   • Leverage analytics to drive data-informed decisions for digital communication and audience engagement. 
6. Team Leadership & Management
   • Recruit, mentor, and lead a high-performing team of communications professionals (e.g., Communications Specialist, Graphic Designer). 
   • Foster a collaborative, creative, and professional work environment. 
   • Manage the communications department budget, allocating resources effectively to achieve strategic goals. 
   • Establish clear performance metrics for the team and individual contributors, conducting regular performance reviews. 
   • Oversee workflow, project management, and quality control for all communications initiatives 

Preferred Qualifications & Experience: 

• Master's degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or a related field; a Bachelor's degree with extensive relevant experience may be considered. 
• 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or marketing, with at least 3-5 years in a leadership or management role. 
• Proven experience developing and implementing comprehensive, integrated communication strategies in a complex organizational setting, preferably within higher education or a non-profit. 
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including a strong command of grammar, style, and persuasive writing for diverse audiences. 
• Demonstrated expertise in media relations, public relations, crisis communications, and brand management. 
• This role requires a strategic thinker, an excellent communicator, and a collaborative leader with a passion for advancing the Seminary's strategic goals. 
• Strong understanding of digital marketing trends, social media platforms, website management, and multimedia content production. 
• Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop a team of creative professionals. 
• Excellent strategic thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines simultaneously in a fast-paced environment. 
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build rapport and influence stakeholders at all levels of an organization. 
• A deep understanding of the Seminary's mission, values, and the broader theological landscape 
• A maturing and contagious Christian experience, commitment to the Wesleyan doctrine and experiences defined in the statements of faith and ethos of Asbury Seminary. 
• Proficiency with project management software. 
• Familiarity with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems.