Executive Director for Marketing & Strategic Communications, Dedman School of Law; HR Di

Executive Director for Marketing & Strategic Communications, Dedman

Southern Methodist University Inc, Dallas, TX

Full Time

Description

Salary Range: Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs. SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools:
Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies. SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation's fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

This role is an on-campus, in-person position. The Executive Director will lead the Dedman Law Marketing and Communications team implementing a cutting‑edge marketing and communications strategy campaign to highlight the strengths of Dedman Law. Manage and enhance the school's brand image and messaging across various channels, including the law school's website, email communications, and social media for faculty, staff, centers, clinics, etc.

Work with the Dean and staff to implement a communications plan for key external audiences. Collaborate with faculty, media outlets, and stakeholders to enhance the law school's visibility. This role will be responsible for leading and actively producing high‑impact storytelling that elevates the law school's national visibility, strengthens faculty thought leadership, supports enrollment and alumni engagement, and reinforces Dedman Law's distinct brand narrative.

The goal of this position is to consistently produce high‑quality, high‑impact content while elevating the visibility and reputation of Dedman Law internally and externally-regionally, nationally, and globally. This is a hands‑on role responsible not only for leading strategy, but also for directly creating, writing, and producing a high volume of content across channels.

• Implement and execute a marketing and communications strategy to highlight the strengths of Dedman Law. Work with the Dean, the marketing and communications team, and other law staff in the administration to maintain an innovative communications plan for key external audiences. Maintain awareness of faculty scholarship, events, programs, faculty, staff, center, and clinic accomplishments that should be publicized.
• Lead and produce a high volume of regular content for the website, press releases, alumni magazine, social media, and alumni and stakeholder correspondence. Write and edit high‑quality stories across faculty scholarship, student profiles, alumni leadership, clinics, centers, rankings, and institutional milestones. Own writing and editorial production for the website, digital content hubs, social campaigns, email, magazine features, admissions collateral, and donor communications.
• Partner with law faculty and media relations and develop written content that amplifies faculty scholarship, op‑eds, and expert commentary.
• Develop and execute a law school‑wide editorial content calendar aligned to institutional priorities. Monitor content performance and recommend new opportunities based on search trends and audience behavior. Establish writing standards,…