Director, Parent & Family Communications

Position Details Position Information Requisition Number S3479P Home Org Name Parents and Family Programs Division Name Student Affairs Position Title Director, Parent & Family Communications Job Class Code AE91 Appointment Status Full-time Part-time FTE Limited Term No Limited Term Length Job Summary Ready to embark on a journey where your communication skills can shape the future of family engagement at Auburn University? We are on the lookout for our next Director of Parent and Family Communications to be the catalyst for connection among 30,000+ families! You will champion the cause of familial connectivity by serving as the external engagement champion- ensuring every concern finds its answer and every connection thrives.
You’ll also be entrusted with developing, overseeing, and assessing protocols for intervention and referral, ensuring students and their families receive the support they need and advocate to senior university leadership, championing the evolving needs and trends of our extended Auburn family.
You’ll represent Auburn University and our values at official functions, navigate crisis management with precision and empathy, and craft compelling marketing and communication content tailored to our diverse audience.
Why Should YOU Choose Auburn University? Auburn University was named a “Best in Alabama” employer by Forbes! Our employee longevity speaks for itself, with employees staying an average of ten years.
Competitive state benefits including retirement plan vesting at 10 years of service, generous leave accrual, and parental leave opportunity.
Auburn University tuition assistance for yourself and your dependents.
Employees can take 15 hours of classes for free, and dependents receive a 50% tuition waiver.
Make a difference.
Have the satisfaction of knowing YOU are a part of providing the premier academic experience at Auburn and the life-changing work our students and employees perform.
It’s a Lifestyle: The Auburn/Opelika area is a page right out of Southern Living magazine with an idyllic small-town feel, perfecting a unique balance between a close-knit community and driving consistent growth and development.
Paralleling the exponential growth of Auburn University, the Auburn/Opelika area boasts services and amenities that cater to any interest.
We’re proud of our top school systems, city services, award-winning restaurants, and the infectious spirit of life in a college town.
You can find us nestled halfway between the beach and the mountains in a lower-cost-of-living area, two hours outside of Atlanta or Birmingham.
If you’re new to Auburn, we’d love to introduce you.
If you’re already acquainted with Auburn, we’ll keep it simple: it’s time to come home! Our Commitment: Auburn University is committed to a diverse and inclusive campus environment.
Visit auburn.
edu/inclusion to learn more about our commitment to expanding equity and inclusion for all.
Essential Functions Direct Parent and Family Programs by serving as the primary point of contact for parents of all enrolled students by responding to parent and family questions/concerns via email, phone, and social media.
Develop, oversee, and assess protocol for responding to parent and/or student concerns by determining intervention methods and the best referral sources to aid students and their families.
Supervise Parent & Family Programs staff (Graduate Assistant).
Advocate to senior university leadership regarding relevant parent and family needs and trends.
Manage the budget of Parent & Family Programs and the Auburn University Parent & Family Association.
Facilitate unit assessment, including data collection, interpretation, and presentation.
Oversee and maintain the AU Family Portal – a multi-department collaboration that provides a centralized portal for parents and families to access grades, financial records, and resources.
Coordinate all components of the platform, including contracts, departmental agreements, FERPA data integration, content creation, and publicity to campus partners.
Maintain the parent and family database in connection with several departments across campus.
Coordinate with campus partners to deliver campuswide FERPA waivers for employees across campus to be able to release information to external parties.
The platform has an active user base of over 50,000 and the employee has sole discretion for mass communication to this group.
Manage completion of timely and complete case documentation of all parent/student referrals through Maxient electronic record-keeping system to ensure students’ needs are integrated into the campus-wide system.
Represent Auburn University, Auburn University Student Affairs, and Parent & Family Programs in an official capacity at university and external functions.
Attendance at student funerals, advancement events, and alumni events is required.
Requires ability to have a flexible schedule and manage travel logistics Create, design, and distribute appropriate marketing and communication content for Parent & Family outlets.
Effective utilization of social media content creation and distribution strategies is required.
Deliver content suitable for parent and family concerns.
Coordinates the release of salient information through print and video publications, including: Parent & Family Guide, Tiger Transitions, event handouts, Navigate Webinar Series, and others.
Respond on behalf of senior university administrators regarding parent and family concerns (including: Office of the Senior Vice President for Student Affairs, Office of the Provost, and Office of the President).
Serve as the official distribution source of university emergency/public safety communications through the Family Portal.
Coordinate the Auburn University Parent & Family Association (AUPFA) and the AUPFA Board of Directors.
Collaborate with university stakeholders, including faculty, staff, and students, to create comprehensive crisis management plans, policies, and procedures.
Conduct thorough risk assessments and identify potential crises that could impact the university.
Act as the primary point of contact during a crisis situation.
Respond to emergency situations by providing support to parents/families.
Coordinate and mobilize the appropriate resources, including emergency personnel, first responders, and relevant university departments.
Provide timely and accurate information to key stakeholders, ensuring clear communication channels are established.
Minimum Qualifications Minimum Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education Administration, College Student Personnel, Communications, or a related field.
Experience: 6 years of experience in communications, hospitality, customer experience management, client support and/or education.
Substitutions allowed for Experience: Graduate degrees accepted in lieu of experience, at a rate of one year relevant education per year of required experience.
Minimum Skills, License, and Certifications Minimum Skills and Abilities Knowledge of university student and parent programs best practices.
Minimum Technology Skills Minimum License and Certifications Desired Qualifications Desired Qualifications Master’s degree Posting Detail Information Salary Range $54,900-$93,300 Job Category Student Affairs Working Hours if Non-Traditional City position is located in: Auburn State position is located: AL List any hazardous conditions or physical demands required by this position Posting Date 03/19/2024 Closing Date EEO Statement Auburn University is committed to an inclusive and diverse campus environment.
Women, underrepresented groups, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.
AUBURN UNIVERSITY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
It is our policy to provide equal employment opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, sex, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by applicable law.