Assistant Dean & Manager of Communications - Princeton University

Reporting to the dean and the senior associate dean, the assistant dean supports a range of critical activities that support the mission of ODUS. As director of strategic communications for ODUS, the assistant dean will lead the office’s efforts to communicate information, market programs and opportunities, and work with other staff to identify and design messaging through print, digital and social media that is critical to the office’s core mission. Through messaging, marketing, and campus collaborations the assistant dean will work to lift up and showcase the ways in which ODUS programs, leadership opportunities, and initiatives advance the co-curricular goals of the department and meet the ODUS/Campus Life strategic objectives, especially in the areas of belonging and service and the ways in which they reflect the values of integrity, respect, and inclusion.

In support of the University’s efforts to enhance residential and extra-curricular life, the assistant dean serves as the office’s primary liaison to Housing, Campus Dining and the Prospect Street eating clubs. Working with the manager of undergraduate housing, the assistant dean selects, trains and supervises the community living advisers (CLAs) assigned to upperclass dormitories, interprets various residential life and dining policies, and oversees and advises dining co-ops. As the ODUS liaison to the Eating Clubs, the assistant dean attends weekly undergraduate Inter-Club Council meetings and advises student leaders on issues of mutual concern.

The assistant dean will spearhead ODUS DEI initiatives such as the FOCUS series and will work to bring high-profile speakers to campus and organize and manage these large-scale ODUS-sponsored events. The assistant dean will work closely with other ODUS staff to ensure that as they recruit student leaders and peer mentors, design programming and respond to public events and private incidents that diversity, equity and inclusion goals are embedded in these efforts. The assistant dean will also work collaboratively with other ODUS staff as they assess their programs to examine the reach and impact of our work with diverse populations.

As a member of the dean’s staff, the assistant dean shares with other staff members responsibility for the development of policies regarding undergraduate life and is asked to assist the dean of undergraduate students with special projects, assignments and committee work and performs other ad hoc duties as assigned. In discharging these responsibilities, the assistant dean has significant contact with the Office of the Vice President for Campus Life, Housing and Real Estate Services, and Dining Services.

Strategic Communications and ODUS Events

• Responsible for the creation, execution and assessment of a departmental communications strategy to increase the campus community’s awareness of and engagement with ODUS resources and initiatives.
• Coordinate the distribution of information and consistent messaging through the development of tools and best practices for ODUS staff.
• Partner with the manager for IT and assistant deans to review and update the array of ODUS websites and online social media accounts to disseminate information and showcase the suite of robust departmental programs and services; coordinate and curate the production and use of photos, video and other media.
• Assists with the management of ODUS media libraries, including archiving, curating, and posting image/video galleries.
• Perform departmental media monitoring, tracking mentions and metrics of online and other content related to department activities and use this data to inform ODUS programs, content, and marketing.
• Supervise ODUS communications fellows (student workers) in the production of written and multimedia content for use across various departmental channels.
• Serve as departmental liaison to other University departments, in particular, the Office of Communications (Campus Communicators Group) in order to coordinate University responses to media inquiries around ODUS programs and activities and leverage other University resources in effectively and strategically marketing department priorities.
• Assist with marketing and communications strategies for Orientation, RCA & CLA recruitment, Gratitude Gala and numerous other large scale ODUS events, including marketing plans, content schedules, and project management as needed and appropriate.
• Plan and direct messaging campaigns related to core principles of citizenship, leadership, health and well-being, and values of integrity, respect, and inclusion across the department.

Housing, Dining and Eating Clubs

• Work in collaboration with the manager of undergraduate housing and the assistant deans for student life in the residential colleges to design the CLA role and modify the position as necessary and work to align the program objectives in the upperclass dorms and in the colleges.
• In conjunction with the manager of undergraduate housing, select, train and supervise Community Living Assistants (CLAs) in the upperclass dormitories; design and implement training program, convene monthly meetings, respond to problems and issues that arise from CLAs.
• Oversee, advise and serve as liaison for four undergraduate food cooperatives; develop and oversee policies governing co-ops; responsible for budgetary oversight; ($150K);
• Serve on various committees/work groups associated with housing and dining.
• Meet weekly with the Inter-Club Council (ICC), comprised of the 11 undergraduate presidents and the ICC Advisor; advise the ICC, address issues of concern between the clubs and the University;
• Design and implement annual training for all eating club officers (80 students).
• In conjunction with the ICC Advisor maintain good working relationships with the borough police, borough council and Corner House.
• Serve as a resource for the ICC regarding University expectations, policies and procedures.
• Coordinate and work closely with the Vice President for Campus Life and the Campus Life Executive Director for Planning and Administration regarding large scale University initiatives within the eating clubs.
• Meets periodically throughout the year with the Graduate Inter-Club Council (GICC) and Princeton Prospect Foundation (PPF) to identify common issues and work toward shared goals.
• Maintains communication with and occasionally meets individually with eating club managers and graduate board chairs.
• Serves on committees and in groups focused on initiatives with the eating clubs like the Eating Club Task Force, the Eating Club Steering Committee and the Best Practices group.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

• Spearhead ODUS DEI programming initiatives including but not limited to the ODUS FOCUS series of speakers and programs.
• Collaborate closely with other ODUS staff as they recruit and train student leaders and peer mentors.
• Work to ensure that DEI objectives are embedded in student leader training activities.
• Ensure that ODUS marketing and communication materials and messages reflect the diversity of the Princeton community.

Other Duties

• Assist ODUS staff in coordinating and managing large-scale high profile ODUS events.
• Work closely with other ODUS staff supporting the senior class on recruiting Class Day speakers.
• Serve on University wide committees such as, search committees, Campus Life implementation groups, and other ad hoc working groups,
• Serve as a free expression monitor.
• Performs other ad hoc duties as assigned.

Education and Experience Requirements

The position requires an advanced degree in an appropriate discipline and at least five years of increasing administrative responsibility.  Experience working with students in a university setting is and with marketing, communications strategies and social media platforms is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• An understanding of and commitment to the aims of a liberal arts education;
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusivity;
• Ability to manage multiple, on-going and complex tasks in a fast-paced environment;
• Ability to work autonomously on projects over the duration of an academic year(s);
• Excellent judgment, discretion, professional maturity;
• Effective project management, organization, problem-solving and analytical skills;
• Excellent written communication skills;
• Strong interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to develop and maintain relationships and work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders ranging from undergraduate students, to campus and community partners representing a wide range of needs, to University staff and senior administrators; and
  
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as required.

Princeton University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS