Austin Entrepreneur Network

TREW Recruits Director of Communications for Science and Technology Academy

One of the favorite hats Wendy and I have enjoyed wearing in our professional careers is being a manager. To many, that probably sounds crazy, since being a manager means you have to be OK with working in a job that, as I like to say, is “110% not about you”:

• you’re always hiring when you wish your team was set…or not hiring when you need more help;
• you have to play the “middle” role, trying to motivate and challenge your staff while serving your own managers and the needs of the business;
• and, ultimately, you give your all to support, mentor and guide staff behind-the-scenes, but personally take credit for nothing tangible – only the success of others.

OK, so there’s some tough parts, but the payoff is awesome. There is nothing better than building, developing and growing a high-performing team. It can truly become a competitive advantage for your company, and a huge personal achievement for you as the manager. For me, one of my proudest moments as a manager was when our team at NI won the state’s Lone Star Award for Best PR Team in Texas. That achievement was only overshadowed by the follow-on national award when we were named one of the top three Best Corporate Communications Departments in America.

Building a high-performing team starts with excellence in recruiting. At TREW, we enjoy bringing our decades of experience recruiting and managing marketing professionals to help our clients build their teams. We work with them to define the role, responsibilities, and ideal candidate qualifications and experience. We also define the culture fit – equally, if not more important, than the skills fit. From here, we develop a recruiting strategy, including promotion and interviewing plan, to ensure we select the best candidate for the job, the team, and the person.

An example of this service is the recruiting we are doing currently for The Academy of Medicine, Engineering, and Science of Texas, a TREW client since our inception in 2008. As TAMEST has grown, so have their needs to expand their marketing team, and we are currently seeking a Director of Communications. The job description is pasted below – please pass along to interested parties, and see below for how to apply.

Overview – Director of Communications

The Academy of Medicine, Engineering and Science of Texas (TAMEST) was founded in 2004 to provide broader recognition of the state’s top achievers in medicine, engineering and science, and to build a stronger identity for Texas as an important destination and center of achievement in these fields. The 240 members include Texas Nobel Laureates and members of the three National Academies (IOM, NAE and NAS).

TAMEST is seeking a senior-level strategic communications professional to partner with the Executive Director and oversee the development, implementation and management of effective communications strategies aligned with the organization’s mission.

Responsibilities

Strategic Planning

• Work with the TAMEST Executive Committee, Board of Directors and Executive Director to develop communications strategies and messages to targeted audiences.
• Set communications goals and metrics; formally track and regularly report to the Board on progress and effectiveness.
• Serve as the lead on all communications-related activities, effectively collaborating with internal and external committees, consultants and constituents.
• Develop a strong understanding of the mission and vision of TAMEST, the National Academies, and key constituent groups.

Key Constituent Management

• Work with the Executive Director to prioritize and strengthen relationships with key constituent groups to increase their awareness and understanding of and engagement with the organization and its mission and vision.
• Identify and recommend the most effective tools, frequency and messaging for communicating with target audiences.
• Prioritize resources to establish effective two-way communication with audience segments.
• Develop dependable mechanisms to learn about and share updates about members and affiliates in a timely and effective manner.
• Build and maintain effective communications network with affiliated institutions, organizations and companies.

Oversee Website, Publications and Constituent Database

• Manage ongoing updates to tamest.org, including setting editorial calendar of all features and developing and/or editing content for posting.
• Develop strategy and oversee implementation of key constituent database, including evaluation and selection of technology platform; defining features, structure and reporting capabilities; and building tie-in with website content management.
• Lead development of all printed and online TAMEST publications, including e-newsletters, annual report, event materials, videos and organizational collateral.

Provide Support for TAMEST Forums and Activities

• Develop and implement communication/marketing plans for all TAMEST events and programs, including media outreach, conference presentations and speaker talking points.
• Develop donor relations plan to include meetings, internal and external communications and public relations opportunities.
• Provide additional communications support for other organizational initiatives as needed (i.e., legislative outreach, advocating for critical issues, etc.)
• Serve as staff liaison for TAMEST committees providing oversight to communications efforts, delivering reports, developing meeting agendas, etc.

Skills/Qualifications

• College degree in marketing, journalism, communications, business or related field
  • 7-10 years of marketing communications experience, preferably in scientific, technology or academic organizations
  • Self-starter with strong leadership and project management skills
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills
  • Previous management experience, including hiring, performance management and overseeing external contracts
  • Demonstrated proficiency working with and communicating to senior executives from academia, government and industry
  • Ability to translate top level marketing messages into specific activities that effectively reach key constituents
  • Ability and willingness to contribute at both strategic and tactical levels
  • Commitment to quality internal and external customer service
  • Flexibility and interest in working within a nimble, team-oriented work culture

Compensation

Salary commensurate with relevant experience.

To Apply

Qualified applicants should email cover letter, resume, references and salary requirements to jackie.dobson@trewmarketing.com. Candidates selected for an interview will be notified by February 15th.