Director of Community Relations & Marketing


Campus: College of San Mateo

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Schedule: 35

Category: Classified Supervisor

Bargaining Unit: Non-Represented

Months Per Year: 12

Hours Per Week: 37.5

Mandated Reporter: Yes

Campus Security Authority: No

This position is responsible to the College President for strategic and operational leadership of marketing and public relations activities for the college. The responsibilities of the position include development and implementation of strategic external and internal marketing and public relations activities and programs, development of community linkages and key partnerships which promote enrollment and visibility for the college, and the development of relationships with commercial organizations. The Director of Community Relations & Marketing also has responsibility for directing the development of college publications. Public contact is extensive and includes staff, students, media representatives, contractors, business and community representatives and leaders, political figures, philanthropic personages, commercial organizations, campus visitors, and the general public. A high degree of independent judgment and creativity are required to develop short- and long-range public relations campaigns and services from original concepts, organizational goals and ideas of others. Consequences of errors in judgment could be costly in institutional relationships, public relations and employee time. The Director of Community Relations & Marketing directs the work of staff and student assistants.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Duties and Responsibilities are representative and not intended to cover all duties the incumbent performs. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the scope of work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to this class.

1. Exchanges information with students, staff, media representatives, governmental leaders, political leaders, community and business representatives, other educational institutions, contractors, and the general public regarding a variety of programs, activities, events, visitations, publications, media relations, press releases, outreach and recruitment, business development, and other programs and services
2. Confers with the College President's Cabinet and other management staff to develop strategic plans for short- and long-range goals related to outreach and recruitment, marketing, public relations, and facilities
3. Conducts research, needs assessments, focus groups, and other forms of feedback to identify target markets and appropriate marketing and recruitment strategies that will enhance the college's prominence among key audiences
4. In consultation with District staff, directs all media relations (i.e. press releases, media briefings, and public service announcements) for the college to ensure accurate and timely coverage of events and news and serves as the college's spokesperson on public relations matters
5. Tracks and monitors media coverage using tools such as Google Alerts
6. Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate college Community Relations & Marketing office staff; delegate assignments when appropriate
7. Advises Vice President of Student Services and Vice President of Instruction in the implementation of college initiatives and equity-focused programming
8. Creates business relationships with commercial and other organizations for the purpose of generating revenue for the college while providing desirable facilities for rental, creation of advertisements, and film and video production, as well as other business ventures
9. In consultation with the College President's Cabinet, defines, directs, and coordinates college marketing plans and directs and coordinates mass media advertising to include radio, television, newspaper, magazines, social media, networks, podcasts, websites, branding, imaging, marketing projects, and outreach linkages and campaigns
10. Collaborates with staff to conceptualize, develop, and prepare original press notices, public service announcements, website and other electronic communications, narratives, posters, bulletins, flyers, and other materials
11. Works with College President, President's Cabinet and other management staff to create and implement an institutional strategic communication plan
12. Advises the College President and District staff on current and potential public relations, community relations, marketing, and communication issues and recommends effective courses of action
13. Makes presentations to small and large campus and community groups about college and District events, activities, planning and programs
14. Directs the development, design, layout, format, editing, and preparation of various publications, including college publications, news releases, feature articles, news stories, public services announcements, postings, reports, and other communications which highlight the goals, objectives, policies, programs, activities, and accomplishments of the college, its students and staff for dissemination to print and broadcast media sources, social media and web-based sources, the general public, and specialized target groups
15. Directs the development and maintenance of the college's website, including the event calendar, as well as other forms of electronic marketing (i.e. blogs, electronic sign content, and apps) ensuring that the design and content achieves the appropriate public relations results
16. Oversees the college's online resources and social media presence, including development of the college's online resources (i.e. web requirements and online interactive map)
17. Directs the development of internal newsletters, blogs, bulletins, website postings, and related materials for employees and students concerning policy and organizational changes, special programs, staff achievements, awards, and news of general interest to employees or students
18. Evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of internal and external information, media relations, and external relations programs of the college and obtains feedback from the public and internal personnel through surveys, public opinion studies, and/or focus group meetings
19. Supports and leads on-campus event planning, facility rentals for commercial use, media interviews, press releases, ceremonies and other college public relations events
20. Prepares informative materials, scripts, speeches, and other communications for the College President and provides operational and management support, as well as serves as the point-of-contact for an online question and answer 24/7 service
21. Works with the College President and the District Executive Director of Community and Government Relations to manage crisis communication to mitigate negative news events and coverage and facilitates public safety information during an emergency or natural disaster
22. Uses a database and a variety of computer software to set up and track marketing trends and resources, community and student demographics, recruitment and retention strategies and outcomes, contractor resources and other data, workflow visuals, and project management tracking
23. Uses spreadsheets and other software to set up files for monitoring, formatting, and retrieving data related to cost estimates, expenditures, cost analyses, statistical, demographic, and other reports
24. Trains, directs, and evaluates the work of staff and hires, coordinates, and evaluates the quality of work of graphic artists, photographers, videographers, printers, and other contractors and vendors
25. Develops and manages the department budget
26. Performs other related duties as assigned

Employment Standards (acquired through education, training, and/or experience)

Knowledge of:

1. Principles, theories, practices, and techniques of marketing, branding, and advertising
2. Communications media sources and their most effective uses, including print, broadcast, web, and social media
3. Communications and public relations role in advancing an organizational agenda
4. College demographics and applicable policies and procedures related to marketing

Skills and Abilities:

1. Research and strategic planning technology and methodologies, including facilitation of group planning activities
2. Communications and public relations
3. Marketing techniques, website management, promotional materials production and event coordination
4. Methods and techniques of preparing and disseminating news releases and securing media placements
5. Design content and production of marketing and public relations materials
6. Leading, supervising, planning, coordinating, and evaluating the work of others
7. Establishing and maintaining effective educational and planning partnerships
8. Oral and written communication, including persuasive public speaking
9. Using a variety of computer software for use in the field of communications, including but not limited to the Internet and web environments and desktop publishing
10. Budget management, including statistical and financial reporting
11. Work effectively as part of a team
12. Respectful, sensitive communication with people who are diverse in their academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds

Job Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, or a closely related field OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Five years of successful work experience of increasing responsibility that has included marketing and various media sources such as web-based, broadcast, and print
• Experience with original press releases and other publicity materials
• Skill with computers and knowledge of graphic design, page design and lay-out, printer and publishing practices and other facets of print and electronic media
• Experience directing the work of others
• Demonstrated cultural competence, sensitivity to, and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds of community college students, faculty, and staff
• Possession of a valid California Driver's license (or the ability to obtain one) and the ability to drive a motor vehicle to off-site locations

Additional Information:
Safety: to promote a safe working and learning environment employees must report any unsafe working conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incident to their supervisor.

• Position is designated as a Mandated Reporter under the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act
• Position is a Responsible Employee under the Equity in Education Act and Title IX

Work Demands

The environmental, physical, and mental demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to successfully perform the essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Environmental: typical on-site office environment; in-person work expected with potential to participate in the District's telework program, as available.

• Frequent hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and online
• Comprehend speech at normal levels
• Upper limb dexterity to operate computers and peripheral equipment
• Vision sufficient for daily and frequent use of computers, databases, and written materials
• Sitting for extended periods of time
• Frequent bending at the waist
• Frequent travel on and off-sites of the District and San Mateo County
• Physical presence at on-site locations
• Lifting and carrying objects up to 20 pounds
• Communicate and interact with others; compose oral and written communications and reports
• Observe and interpret people and situations
• Learn and apply new information or skills
• Perform highly detailed work on multiple concurrent tasks
• Use math/mathematical reasoning
• Perform highly detailed work under changing priorities and deadlines on multiple concurrent tasks
• Work with frequent interruptions
• Self-regulate emotion and behavior

Benefits: Benefits include paid holidays, vacation and sick leave. The District pays all or a portion of monthly medical plan premiums (depending on the coverage) and pays all of the monthly dental and vision plan premiums for employees and eligible dependents. Additional paid benefits include life insurance, salary continuance insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. Classified employees participate in the Public Employees' Retirement System, a defined-benefit retirement plan through the State of California. Optional tax-deferred 403(b) and 457 retirement plans are also available.

EEO Statement: San Mateo County Community College District is an Equal Opportunity, Title IX, and Section 504 employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment based on race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, or any other protected status under federal, state, or local law. We seek to employ individuals who reflect our community's diversity of cultures, languages, and abilities.

Our EEO Plan, grounded in Title 5 regulations, is developed and monitored by an EEO Advisory Committee, reviewed at least every three years, and supported by regular training for all members of selection and screening committees. We collect and analyze recruitment and retention data to measure progress and identify barriers.

Annual Security Report

San Mateo County Community College District's (SMCCCD) 2025 Annual Security Report (ASR), required by the Clery Act, includes statistics for the previous three years (2022-2024) concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in certain off-campus buildings owned or controlled by SMCCCD; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from SMCCCD. The 2025 Annual Security Report also outlines various campus safety and security policies concerning crime reporting, prevention and response to sexual and gender violence, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, emergency response and evacuation procedures, and other matters. The Annual Security Report also includes important tips to help every community member remain safe and avoid becoming a victim of crime. The 2025 Annual Security Report is now available on the Public Safety website. You can also obtain a copy of this report by contacting the Department of Public Safety at the District Office or any of the three Campuses (650) 738-7000. The report includes information about criminal activity on our campuses, emergency procedures, and resources.


Closes: 1/16/2026

To apply, visit http://smccd.interviewexchange.com/jobofferdetails.jsp?JOBID=195305

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