Director, School of Law Marketing and Communications

Position Title: Director, School of Law Marketing and Communications

Department: School of Law

Advertised Pay: Upper $60,000's

Campus Location: Washburn University

Application Deadline:  Application review will begin as applications are received and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants can be assured of full consideration if submitted by December 15, 2025.

Position Summary: The Director, School of Law Marketing and Communications is responsible for developing, implementing, and leading all marketing and communications for SOL. Under the supervision of the Executive Director of Strategic Communications and Marketing at Washburn, this position plans, initiates, and coordinates all advertising and promotional activities across print, digital, broadcast, and social media platforms. This position is also responsible for telling SOL’s story through news releases, social posts, and website content. All materials and activities must adhere to Washburn brand standards and policies.

This position supervises the Assistant Director of Marketing Communications at Washburn Law and works closely with the SOL dean and administration to develop overall strategy and messaging. In addition, the Director will work with individual SOL departments to establish communication or marketing materials specific to the department’s function.

Internally, this position creates on-campus messaging on electronic signage, newsletters, and emails. The role is responsible for ensuring that updated photography and video content is available and for assisting in planning and implementing SOL events, if requested.

About Washburn University: Washburn University is a teaching-focused, student-centered, public institution located in the metropolitan setting of Topeka that has earned national recognition for its high-impact programs for first-generation students. Washburn has a student body of over 5,500 undergraduate, graduate, and law students, a significant and growing number of whom are first-generation and Pell-Grant eligible. The University has created educational pathways for all students to be successful and achieve their educational goals.

Washburn is dedicated to recruiting and retaining a dynamic faculty, staff, and student body and cultivating a robust learning and working environment and curriculum. We employ more than one thousand faculty and staff on our campuses throughout Topeka and strive to offer competitive wages, an excellent benefits program, and a supportive culture and a healthy work/life balance. Washburn seeks to create an environment that reflects our core values for creating positive IMPACT: inclusion, modernization, partnership, achievement, community and transformation. In 2024, Washburn was recognized as one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to Great Colleges to Work For® program.

Essential Functions:
• Create high-quality visual assets for both print and digital projects, ensuring all materials align with the SOL and University brand guidelines.
• Develop compelling written content and visually engaging designs to support the overall marketing and communications efforts. Write news stories, press releases, promotional materials, digital content, including social media posts and marketing emails, and advertisements to effectively communicate key messages to target audiences.
• In collaboration with the Assistant Dean of Admissions, develop an annual marketing and communications plan to support recruitment efforts that enhance interest among prospective students while retaining engagement with admitted students. Develop marketing tactics that include key messages with appropriate timing to best reach students throughout the admissions process. Create clear communication timelines that incorporate personal touchpoints through print, digital, and one-on-one communications.
• Develop and implement social media and advertising strategies to increase brand awareness, engagement, lead generation, and website traffic while also analyzing platform performance to optimize reach and impact. Outline goals and target audiences for each of the SOL social media platforms, including posts, paid advertising, and direct audience engagement. Maintain knowledge of social media and advertising best practices and evolving trends to help guide strategies.
• Ensure that all marketing and communication bearing the SOL name or mark accurately reflect the school’s identity and values. Oversee the correct use of marks and ensure that all representations adhere to established SOL and university standards. Collaborate with the team to ensure a consistent voice and tone across all communications, verifying that accurate visuals are used and that the SOL style guide is followed.
• Develop and distribute materials for targeted audiences, including other law schools, attorneys, judges, alumni, and other constituents, to inform them about news, events, CLE/educational opportunities, symposia, developments, and achievements at the SOL.
• Collaborate with University Strategic Communications and Marketing Office to create and disseminate new releases, coordinate with journalists to connect with SOL experts on trending legal topics, and ensure positive media coverage for the school’s activities and achievements.
• Serve as liaison with the Washburn University Alumni Association and Foundation to provide SOL with timely topics, issues, and concerns of particular interest to SOL alumni that can then be used in SOL alumni communications.
• During staff absences or high-demand periods, ensure that the Assistant Director of Marketing Communications receives adequate support to keep the website current and functional. Assist by updating website content and working with University IT to fix any technical issues.
• Recruit, hire, train, and evaluate the performance and effectiveness of assigned staff to maximize employee performance. Perform written performance reviews and provide feedback and professional development opportunities to facilitate improved performance or reward outstanding efforts.
• Develop budget proposals for Marketing Communications based on projected activities and needs. Approve purchases and monitor budgeted account balances to manage the department’s budget and ensure spending is appropriate and fiscally sound.
• Perform additional job-related duties as assigned or as appropriate to support the SOL’s mission and goals.

Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree.
• Three years of experience in public relations, marketing, publication design, writing, or editing, or a combination of experience across these areas that equals three years.
• Experience in strategic marketing.
• Supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated effective skills in writing, editing, and proofreading, with the ability to utilize AP Style in written communications.
• Proven efficient abilities in graphic design and visual communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, with the ability to quickly learn and adopt new technologies.
• Skilled in managing and prioritizing multiple concurrent projects.
• Experience with social media accounts and managing a budget.
• Effective organizational, project management, and attention-to-detail skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and work productively both independently and collaboratively as a professional team player with initiative.

Preferred Qualifications:
• A master’s degree in communications, marketing, business or a closely related field.
• Experience developing and executing social media strategies.
• One year of supervisory experience.

Exempt, Full-time, Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm   
Background Check Required