Director of Strategic Communications

ABOUT ISEP

ISEP Study Abroad is a student-centered academic organization dedicated to making education abroad accessible to all students. We bring together a global community of higher education institutions committed to promoting shared understanding and cultural awareness through life-changing global experiences. Our work is driven by the belief that studying abroad should be within reach for every student, no matter what their background. This commitment was the purpose behind our inception: in 1979, ISEP was founded with a clear goal—to expand access to international education through multilateral exchange. Over the past 45 years, that vision has guided our growth, shaping the inclusive mission we uphold today.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Director of Strategic Communications for the President’s Office plays an important role in developing and implementing a strategic communications plan to support the President and CEO’s outreach activities and to position ISEP effectively within the international higher education industry. The incumbent plays a key role in externally promoting our organization by creating informative content, press releases, and media opportunities for the President and ISEP leadership. They also develop and write ISEP’s Annual Impact Report. This position works collaboratively with Marketing Communications, Member Relations, and the President’s Office team.

Working under the leadership of the President and CEO, the incumbent will shape ISEP’s strategic positioning within the international higher education industry, our global university membership, our alumni network, and our internal staff.

The Director of Strategic Communication will help ISEP’s President increase brand awareness via conference strategy, media relations, LinkedIn, and other channels. The incumbent will also help the President design and prepare messaging for the Board of Directors and Council of Advisors, such as reports, presentations, videos, etc.

This is an excellent opportunity for a creative, motivated communications professional to interact with senior members of the education abroad profession and ISEP Study Abroad leadership. Opportunity for participation in some conferences and industry events, and additional travel is possible.

PRINCIPAL RELATIONSHIPS

External: Education and Exchange media, including the Chronicle of Higher Education, The PIE News, Inside Higher Ed., and others; international education industry leaders; presidents, provosts, deans, and senior international officers of ISEP member institutions; professional International Education Associations (NAFSA, AIEA, APAIE, EAIE, The Forum on Education Abroad, etc.); ISEP Board of Directors and Council of Advisors; ISEP strategic partners.

Internal: President and CEO; Special Assistant to the President; Office Manager; Executive Team; Marketing Communications; Alumni Engagement and Student Success; Member Relations; Program Development.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

President’s Office Communications

• Develop a Communications Plan for the President’s Office, with quarterly Key Performance Indicators tied to the strategic plan
• Curate and maintain media contacts list, including names (publication and people), email, webpages, etc.; determine the best way to manage this list
• Recommend appropriate publications for the President and CEO to submit an article, thought piece, etc.
• Lead ISEP’s Annual Impact Report efforts

President’s Social Media Presence (in collaboration with Marketing Communications)

• Develop the President’s Office Social Media Plan, with quarterly Key Performance Indicators
• In collaboration with the President, write blog posts, thought pieces, and white papers
• Prepare LinkedIn posts for the President and CEO that highlight ISEP’s presence at industry conferences, the President’s blog posts, etc.

External Relations

• Develop a Media Strategy, with quarterly Key Performance Indicators
• Collaborate with Marketing Communications on content from the President’s Office for external communications to the ISEP Community; regularly attend Marketing Communications team meetings
• Develop and lead the organization’s conference strategy; maintain a list of industry conferences and session proposal submission deadlines; regularly share with the ISEP Team and encourage submissions to present at global international education conferences
• Proactively identify new media opportunities or industry events that align with ISEP’s mission

Other Duties

• Create and coordinate the messaging plan for the ISEP Student Scholarships Annual Fund, including stretch goals to be set each year with the President and CEO
• Lead a cross-departmental strategic initiative around DEI and serve on several other cross-departmental teams contributing to additional ISEP strategic priorities

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education: B.A./B.S. required; M.A./M.S. preferred

Experience:

• 5+ years progressive experience with media relations, public affairs, communications, or related field, including 2 years providing high-level administrative support
• 2+ years’ experience working within the higher education industry, international education, exchange, or non-profit sectors is desirable

Other Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to communicate effectively with multiple stakeholders while maintaining confidentiality
• Strong knowledge of MS Word, MS Outlook, and MS Teams; familiarity with MS PowerPoint, MS Excel, and other MS Office Suite software, Zoom, and board portal software
• Proven success with LinkedIn posts
• Seamlessly manage multiple tasks and projects under tight deadlines
• Successfully evaluate and troubleshoot competing priorities
• Motivated, pro-active self-starter with discretion, excellent customer service skills, and an eye for detail
• Strong intercultural communication skills and ability to work with diverse and multicultural teams

ADDITIONAL DESIRED SKILLS

• Lived, worked, or studied in another country or did domestic intercultural work
• Other languages are a plus, but not required

HOW TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION

Please submit a resume and a cover letter outlining your interest in ISEP and your qualifications for this position, along with salary requirements via our online employment application at https://www.isepstudyabroad.org/careers.

ISEP is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). We strongly support diversity in the workforce.