This position is located in Rockville MD at the Universities at Shady Grove USG The Universities at Shady Groves USGs ability to drive change in higher education toward a more equitable student centered experience that supports students from the classroom to career depends on our communications efforts We seek a Director to play a vital role in leading strategic communications across USG and externally In collaboration with USG leadership staff academic partners employers and funders the Director will develop and implement communications strategies to achieve our relational and advocacy goals to advance USGs vision The Director will create county and state wide messages to build and sustain urgency for the model developed by USG to drive student success as measured by college completion and meaningful employment following graduation This work will require deep engagement with both partner academic institutions and partner employers The Director will oversee social media strategies and an overall digital strategy and will be hands on with media relations and placement and determine support from external firms as needed The Director will also function in a lead capacity communicating on behalf of USGs efforts to obtain legislative approval as a Community of Innovation in the University System of Maryland The ideal candidate has a proven ability to take initiative to create cutting edge concepts and factually support ideas to drive progress forward in rapidly changing and at times ambiguous situations Will possess the ability to synthesize complex ideas and manage projects effectively and the ability to learn quickly think critically and analytically and adapt approaches with optimism as priorities evolve