SDEM Communication Manager

This position is no longer open.

The LAU Student Development and Enrollment Management Department is searching for a Communication Manager.

Summary

The Communication Manager will plan, oversee, evaluate, produce and deliver effective communications in order to attract prospective students and retain current students.

She/he will work collaboratively with the SDEM leadership and various LAU Departments to create, plan, and execute a strategy to increase enrollment in existing programs; launch new programs; and enhance LAU’s reputation regionally, nationally, and internationally.

This position will plan and manage the design, production, distribution and evaluation of all print and electronic communications used to reach out to students. Responsibilities include maintaining a comprehensive communication plan and an effective social media presence.

SDEM has five websites, a student portal and social media presence. Publications and marketing collateral include brochures, posters, recruitment material, calendars, academic catalogue and yearbook.

Basic Job Duties & Responsibilities

• Formulates, in collaboration with the Advancement and the Legal units, LAU’s image and social media and marketing strategy for student related communication.
• Advises and trains staff across the SDEM unit on aspects of student communication, including channels and messaging.
• Recognizes branding and communication needs and ways to meet those needs by working with SDEM offices.
• Ensures correct usage of the LAU branding and visual identity.
• Identifies students’ engaging story ideas for publications, social media and other communications purposes, liaising with the Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Dean of Students, Outreach and Civic Engagement, MarCom, Information Technology, Alumni Relations and NY Offices.
• Acts as the SDEM focal point in strategic meetings at MarCom, ensuring sharing, formulation and generation of student–related content and presence for the LAU Magazine and LAU websites.
• Plans, manages, executes and evaluates the online and publications projects.
• Manages the contracts of freelancers and determines the budget, sets the goals and deadlines, for the managed projects.
• Mentors the freelance writers, designers, photographers and editors on the LAU branding and marketing approach on student attraction, recruitment and retention.
• Updates, improves and revamps the SDEM websites.
• Sets content strategy and designs information to ensure they are appropriately structured to meet the goals of LAU and the needs of users.
• Plans and oversees the presence of the SDEM on various social media platforms.
• Locates and selects appropriate, existing multimedia content, including still images, animations, music and video. Oversees production of new visuals when needed.
• Develops and maintains, in coordination with external and internal photographers, a photo library for use across a range of communications forms. (Yearbook, website photo galleries, recruitment materials, brochures, calendar, etc.).
• Communicates with prospective and current students to ensure online communication channels are engaging, current, interactive and consistent.
• Implements best practices regarding: communication strategy, website updates and software tools, content development and site management.
• Runs reports, analyzes data, and makes recommendations to optimize SDEM online presence and reach, including reviewing competitors’ activities, and keeping track of latest trends and technologies.
• Plans, conducts and commissions assessment, evaluation activities and ongoing audience research.

Minimum Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university. Masters is a plus.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in writing and editing web and publications content.
• Experience in developing and maintaining web content for complex websites in a higher education environment is preferred.
• Experience working in social media is preferred.
• Excellent command of English. French is a plus.
• Excellent communication skills, Leadership skills, organization skills, and Computer proficiency.

CVs should be emailed to beirut.hire@lau.edu.lb, specifying the job title in the subject line.

Closing date for applications is Sunday April 27, 2014.

No applications will be accepted after this date, and only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

The Lebanese American University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity