Essential Functions:

• Develop communications strategy and implement marketing campaign to highlight the strengths of Dedman School of Law. Work with the Dean and other law staff in the administration to craft a communications plan for key external audiences. 

• Manage the school's brand image and messaging across various channels, including the law school website and social media for faculty, staff, centers, clinics, etc. Manage a team responsible for the web and social media presence of Dedman Law, as well as oversee the creation of print collateral pieces for both internal and external use. This involves planning, writing, honing messaging, and overseeing the creation of print collateral pieces for both internal and external use. This involves planning, writing, honing messaging, and overseeing communications tools such as the law school’s monthly newsletter, annual magazine, media pitches, fundraising letters, videos, and more.

• Establish and maintain relationships with media contacts and maintain an awareness of media coverage of Dedman Law. Oversee public relations efforts on behalf of Dedman Law to promote and enhance the reputation of the school. Connect with SMU central marketing and communication to ensure university brand guidelines are upheld and Dedman Law is accurately represented and promoted in multiple channels of print and digital outlets.

• Liaise with law faculty and staff to accurately represent and promote Dedman Law to audiences. Maintain awareness of faculty scholarship, events, programs, faculty, staff, and clinic accomplishments that should be publicized. 

• Assist the Dean, the law school administration, alumni relations, and development with various law school board meetings, events, lectures, and programs.

• Track deadlines, oversee data gathering and alumni/peer school/employer outreach efforts for law school rankings. Report out rankings results to key law school administration. Maintain awareness of new rankings and determine which ones are relevant for Dedman Law participation. 

• Oversee and track marketing and external relations budget.

Qualifications

Education and Experience:

A Bachelor’s degree is required. Preferably degree in marketing and communications. 

A minimum of seven (7) years of experience is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Candidate with at least five to seven years of experience in communications and/or marketing at a university, law firm, professional school, nonprofit, public or private organization is preferred. The ideal candidate must demonstrate to have a high degree of autonomy, must exercise independent, and demonstrate to have a good judgment. It must also demonstrate to have the ability to prioritize and manage projects to meet deadlines. The candidate must possess creative thinking skills and demonstrate to be a strategic thinker. 

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Must also demonstrate strong written communication and editing skills. 

Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong organizational, planning and time management skills.  

Candidate must have a solid proficiency with Microsoft Office products and other marketing software tools.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Sit for long periods of time

Deadline to Apply:

Open until filled.

EEO Statement:

SMU will not discriminate in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression. The Executive Director for Access and Equity/Title IX Coordinator is designated to handle inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies and may be reached at the Perkins Administration Building, Room 204, 6425 Boaz Lane, Dallas, TX 75205, 214-768-3601, accessequity@smu.edu.

Benefits:

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution.

SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU.

The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.