Program Manager, Communications

Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood (DIEEC)

Pay Grade: 30E

Deadline: Open until filled

The Department of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) within the College of Education and Human Development is a diversified Department with undergraduate and graduate programs that require a close working relationship with the State of Delaware, Federal Agencies, local school systems, and numerous Health and Service agencies.

The Department houses the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood (DIEEC), supporting the workforce and programming services for children aged six weeks to twelve years of age in early care and education through the translation of evidence-based practices to community-based settings as well as the generation of new knowledge via applied research. The DIEEC serves the state and nation through the provision of quality-assured Professional Development for early care and education providers, technical assistance to early care and education programs through Delaware's quality rating and improvement system (Delaware Stars for Early Success), direct services to children and families through the New Directions Early Head Start program, and applied research in diverse early care and education settings.

The Program Manager, Communications works under the general direction of the Director of the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood Education, the Director of Delaware Stars, and the Director of Professional Development. This position directs and leads communications efforts for both Professional Development and the Delaware Stars for Early Success program. The Program Manager, Communications will oversee all communications, both internal and external, for Delaware Stars and Professional Development.

This position is a full-time grant-funded position.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinates, develops and implements communication strategies, both internal and external to promote the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood.
• Collaborates with Delaware Stars providers and State Early Childhood partners to strengthen both internal and external services.
• Acts as a liaison to state, local and university, non-profit and private organizations to build relationships that expand our influence, visibility and participation in the state and local communities.
• Manages the Delaware Stars and the Professional Development websites, social media and print materials.
• Designs and develops material to market professional development opportunities to the workforce.
• Develops, implements, and evaluates the use of social media strategies to deliver internal and external communications to staff, partners, and the early-education and school-age providers in the state.
• Supervises staff that support the efforts of the Delaware Stars and the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood.
• Delivers public speaking and presentations to technical assistants, program staff, and the broader early-childhood and school-age community on relevant high quality early learning and other subjects as appropriate.
• Interfaces with CEHD Communications Manager and OCM to ensure coordination of activities and compliance with branding directives.
• Generates press releases; plans and schedules photo shoots and press coverage; works closely with CEHD and UD OCM personnel to disseminate DE STARS information on the college website, through social media and in UDaily.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's, Master's degree preferred, in Communications, Early Childhood Education or related discipline with three to five years of job-related experience.
• Knowledge of communications including marketing and public awareness, as well as in depth knowledge and expertise in planning, implementing and evaluating internal and external messaging using websites and social media, E-Newsletters, print and video materials, written materials, and presentations. Additionally, it is critically important that in depth knowledge of child development, early -care and education and school-age environments, child and program assessment and evaluation and the elements of quality early learning environments.
• Must possess effective communication skills with ability to interact with a wide range of constituents.
• Must be able to write articles, newsletters and presentations.
• Must be an effective public speaker able to represent Delaware Stars and the Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood in local, state and national venues.
• Knowledge and use of a variety of communication and technology strategies to develop and deliver innovative professional development, staff development and team building to the early education and education staff of Delaware Stars.
• Knowledge of social media and its uses relevant to communication and messaging.
• Knowledge of website development and its uses in providing information and reaching larger audiences.
• Knowledge of early childhood coaching practices both in a service delivery model as well as peer to peer and within professional development venues.
• Must be detail oriented, proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including Power Point, Word, and Excel, Constant Contact and WordPress.
• Experienced in program planning, implementation and evaluation skills.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity Employer which encourages applications from Minority Group Members, Women, Individuals with Disabilities and Veterans. The University's Notice of Non-Discrimination can be found at http://www.udel.edu/aboutus/legalnotices.html

To apply please click here!