Senior Director, Communication and Public Relations

Responsibilities

• - Integrated Strategy & Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivates strong relationships across the broader institution—including executive leadership, Deans, faculty, Student Affairs, Admissions/Enrollment, xAdvancement, and external community partners. Mines stories campus-wide and collaborates across the Marketing & Communications team to maximize content value—evaluating channel mix by distinguishing earned news media pitching (PR/Comms) from paid performance marketing campaigns, social media, and enrollment drivers to support multi-departmental goals.
• - Strategic Narrative & PR Execution: Serves as a proactive self-starter, designing and executing integrated public relations and external communication strategies that elevate Broward College's brand reputation and communicate its value proposition across South Florida and nationally.
• - Executive Communications & Thought Leadership: Crafts executive-level communications for the Office of the President and senior administration, including speeches, op-eds, policy briefs, talking points, and legislative communication. Manages the College’s Subject Matter Expert (SME) program to position faculty and leadership in earned news media.
• - Crisis Communications & Emergency Management: Serves as a primary Public Information Officer (PIO) and key member of the rapid-response crisis team. Maintains the Crisis Communications Plan, participates in BC ALERT exercises, and leads clear, rapid external press communications during incidents or high-stakes cycles.
• - News Media Relations & Story Mining: Actively pitches stories to local, state, and national news media outlets (print, broadcast, digital journalists), highlighting workforce initiatives, academic achievements, student success, and institutional milestones. Responds to press inquiries and facilitates journalist interviews.
• - Team Leadership & Operational Management: Directly manages, mentors, and empowers communications professionals and direct reports. Oversees departmental project workflows, news media tracking analytics, PR vendor contracts, and communications operational budgets.

Requirements

• - Education: Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Strategic Communications, Journalism, Communications, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• - Experience: Minimum 10 years of progressive, high-level experience in public relations, news media relations, or institutional communications, with a proven background in managerial leadership. (An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.)
• - Higher Education Requirement: Direct experience working within higher education communications or an extensive journalism/news media background specifically covering higher education, public policy, or academic sectors.

Preferred

• - Regional Media Networks: Established relationships with South Florida, regional, and state education journalists, news editors, press outlets, and community leaders.
• - System & Governance Familiarity: Familiarity with or direct experience navigating the Florida College System (FCS), state higher education governance, public records practices, and Florida educational policy.

Benefits

• - Affordable High-Quality Healthcare Insurance (Medical, Dental & Vision)
• - Retirement Options – Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension Plan or the FRS Investment Plan
• - Wellness Program
• - Vacation/Paid Time Off
• - Winter and Spring Break Off
• - Paid Parental Leave
• - Tuition Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement are available to employees and family members