📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Director of Public Relations & Marketing
🔹 Company: Southeast Arkansas College
🔹 Location: Pine Bluff, Arkansas, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full Time
🔹 Category: Education
🔹 Date Posted: 2025-04-10
🔹 Experience Level: 2-5 years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Developing and implementing strategic marketing and communication plans
- Managing digital and traditional marketing efforts, public relations, and social media
- Serving as the college's Public Information Officer and primary media contact
- Supervising the Communications Coordinator and providing leadership on best practices
- Collaborating with the President and senior leadership to create official marketing strategies
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of strategic thinking, creativity, and strong leadership skills to drive the college's marketing and branding efforts.
📋 Key Responsibilities
Strategic Marketing & Communications
- Develop, implement, and evaluate strategic plans for marketing, communications, advertising, public relations, and crisis management
- Oversee external publicity efforts, including press releases, feature articles, public service announcements, and media relations to enhance brand awareness
- Provide expert marketing, public relations, and communications support to all college departments and divisions
- Develop and maintain the college's branding guidelines to ensure consistency across all marketing material
- Work with the President and senior leadership to create official marketing and communication strategies that reflect institutional priorities
- Serve as the college's Public Information Officer and the primary media contact
Digital & Social Media Management
- Manage and create content for all college social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
- Keep the news on the college's website and SharePoint up to date in concert with the IT Director
- Manage the college's digital signage on Hazel St. to promote events and initiatives
Advertising & Recruitment Support
- Plan and oversee the public relations and advertising budget to maximize outreach and engagement
- Negotiate with service vendors to optimize advertising strategies across print, digital, radio, email, and social media platforms
- Design and produce graphics and advertisements for recruitment and digital marketing campaigns
- Manage email marketing efforts through the CRM Recruit system, working with the Recruitment team to generate and nurture prospective student leads
Internal & External Communications
- Serve as the primary contact for campus-wide updates and communications to faculty and staff via email
- Create and review internal and external flyers for campus events across all departments
- Prepare educational materials for academic programs and community education campaigns that align with the college's mission
- Assist the IT Director as a Formstack Administrator to support online forms and communication needs
Leadership & Supervision
- Supervise the Communications Coordinator at SEARK to ensure cohesive messaging and content alignment
- Provide training and leadership on best practices for marketing and communications strategies
- Represent the Marketing Department in key campus initiatives, including serving on the Executive Leadership Team
Performs Other Duties as Assigned
ASSUMPTION: This role may involve additional responsibilities as needed to support the college's mission and strategic goals.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field
Experience: At least two years of experience in marketing, content management, advertising, or media relations
Required Skills:
- Strong understanding of marketing functions, including research, planning, implementation, and evaluation
- Experience in social media management, digital advertising, and public relations
- Exceptional journalistic writing and editing skills
- Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
- Proficiency in marketing technology, including CRM systems, website management, and email marketing tools
Preferred Skills:
- Master's degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field
- Experience in higher education marketing, student recruitment, and retention strategies
- Ability to analyze trends and implement data-driven marketing strategies
- Knowledge of graphic design tools and content management systems
ASSUMPTION: While not required, a Master's degree and experience in higher education marketing can provide a significant advantage in this role.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: Commensurate with qualifications and experience
Benefits:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Retirement Plan Options with employer contributions ranging from 10% to 15% depending upon the plan selected
- Tuition Waiver for the employee and dependents
Working Hours: Full-time (40 hours per week)
ASSUMPTION: The salary range for this role is competitive and commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and experience. The benefits package is designed to attract and retain top talent in the industry.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Education
Company Size: Small (1-50 employees)
Founded: 1968
Company Description:
- Southeast Arkansas College (SEARK) is a public, two-year institution of higher education located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas
- The college offers associate degrees, certificates, and workforce training programs to a diverse student body
- SEARK is committed to providing accessible, high-quality education and workforce development opportunities to the residents of Southeast Arkansas and beyond
Company Specialties:
- Associate Degrees
- Certificates
- Workforce Training
- Dual Credit Programs
- Community Education
Company Website: https://www.seark.edu/
ASSUMPTION: As a small, public college, SEARK places a strong emphasis on community engagement, accessibility, and student success.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: Mid-level (2-5 years of experience)
Reporting Structure: Reports directly to the President of the college
Work Arrangement: On-site, full-time
Growth Opportunities:
- Potential advancement to a senior leadership role within the college
- Opportunities to expand skills and expertise in higher education marketing and branding
- Possibility to influence the college's strategic direction and contribute to its mission
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant growth potential for the right candidate, with opportunities to advance within the college and make a meaningful impact on its marketing and branding efforts.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: On-site, single campus location
Office Location(s): Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Geographic Context:
- Pine Bluff is located in Southeast Arkansas, approximately 45 miles southeast of Little Rock
- The city has a population of around 43,000 people and offers a mix of urban and rural living
- The cost of living in Pine Bluff is generally lower than in larger cities in the region
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, with flexibility for occasional evenings and weekends as needed
ASSUMPTION: The work environment at SEARK is collaborative and supportive, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and communication. The college values diversity, inclusion, and work-life balance.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission through the college's careers website
- Phone or video screening with the Human Resources department
- On-campus or virtual interview with the hiring manager and a panel of stakeholders
- Final round interview with the President of the college
- Background check and reference check for the final candidate
Key Assessment Areas:
- Marketing and communication strategy development
- Digital and social media management
- Crisis communication and public relations experience
- Leadership and supervisory skills
- Alignment with the college's mission, values, and culture
Application Tips:
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant marketing, communication, and leadership experience
- Demonstrate your understanding of higher education marketing and branding trends and best practices
- Showcase your ability to develop and implement strategic marketing plans that drive enrollment and engagement
- Prepare for behavioral interview questions that assess your problem-solving skills, adaptability, and cultural fit
ATS Keywords: Marketing, Public Relations, Communications, Social Media, Digital Advertising, Branding, Strategic Planning, Leadership, Higher Education, Enrollment Management, CRM, Email Marketing
ASSUMPTION: As a small college with limited resources, SEARK values candidates who can demonstrate a strong work ethic, adaptability, and a commitment to the college's mission and values.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- CRM software (e.g., Recruit, Slate, or similar)
- Social media management platforms (e.g., Hootsuite, Buffer, or similar)
- Graphic design software (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, or similar)
- Email marketing tools (e.g., Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or similar)
- Content management systems (e.g., WordPress, Drupal, or similar)
- Website analytics tools (e.g., Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, or similar)
ASSUMPTION: The specific tools and technologies required for this role may vary depending on the college's existing infrastructure and the candidate's areas of expertise.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Student-centered approach
- Collaboration and teamwork
- Innovation and continuous improvement
- Integrity and ethical decision-making
- Diversity, equity, and inclusion
Work Style:
- Collegial and supportive work environment
- Strong emphasis on communication and teamwork
- Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities and deadlines
- Data-driven decision-making and continuous learning
- Commitment to the college's mission and values
Self-Assessment Questions:
- How do you align with the college's value of being student-centered in your approach to marketing and communication?
- Describe a time when you had to adapt to a significant change in priorities or deadlines. How did you handle it, and what was the outcome?
- How do you ensure that your work style meshes well with a collaborative and supportive work environment like SEARK's?
ASSUMPTION: SEARK values candidates who demonstrate a strong fit with the college's culture, values, and work style, as well as a commitment to its mission and students.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Working with limited resources and budget constraints
- Managing multiple marketing channels and stakeholder expectations
- Balancing strategic planning with day-to-day tactical tasks
- Adapting to changes in the higher education landscape and enrollment trends
- Navigating a small college environment with a diverse range of stakeholders
ASSUMPTION: These challenges can be mitigated by strong leadership, effective communication, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- Unlike larger universities, SEARK offers a more intimate and hands-on work environment, with the opportunity to have a significant impact on the college's marketing and branding efforts
- Compared to corporate marketing roles, this position offers the unique challenge of marketing a specific institution and its programs to a diverse range of stakeholders
- Career progression in higher education marketing may involve moving to larger institutions or taking on more senior leadership roles within the college
ASSUMPTION: This role offers a unique blend of strategic planning, tactical execution, and stakeholder management, with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the college's mission and success.
📝 Sample Projects
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive marketing and branding strategy for a new academic program
- Managing a successful social media campaign to increase student engagement and enrollment
- Collaborating with the IT department to improve the college's website and digital presence
- Creating and executing a targeted advertising campaign to attract non-traditional students to the college
ASSUMPTION: These sample projects illustrate the diverse range of marketing and communication challenges that the Director of Public Relations and Marketing may face at SEARK.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the college's top marketing priorities for the next year, and how can this role contribute to their success?
- How does the college measure the effectiveness of its marketing and communication efforts, and what metrics are most important to track?
- What is the college's approach to crisis communication, and how has it been implemented in the past?
- How does the college support the professional development and growth of its marketing and communication staff?
- What is the college's long-term vision for its marketing and branding efforts, and how does this role fit into that strategy?
ASSUMPTION: These questions can help you better understand the college's marketing priorities, culture, and expectations for the role.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through the college's careers website
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant marketing, communication, and leadership experience
- Prepare a portfolio or examples of your past marketing and communication work, if applicable
- Follow up with the Human Resources department one week after submitting your application to confirm receipt and inquire about next steps
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
