Job details

Director, Marketing and Communications

Position Number: 6989612
Location: Aptos, CA
Position Type: Public Relations, Marketing and Communications

Director, Marketing and Communications

Cabrillo College

Salary: See Position Description
Job Type: Full-time (100%)
Job Number: 2026-02122
Closing: 3/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Location: Aptos, CA
Department: President's Office

Please apply for this job directly on the Cabrillo College job opportunities page here.

Employment Opportunity

Cabrillo College is seeking a Director, Marketing and Communications who under general direction, plans, develops, implements and directs effective and strategic marketing, communications, public relations, community development and government relations programs that support student enrollment and enhance the District's image; develops strategic initiatives that increase public awareness of District programs, services and activities; serves as primary District spokesperson to the press and public; oversees the District's web and social media presence; performs related duties as assigned.

We need YOU! Cabrillo College is looking for staff to provide quality programs and services for a diverse student population promoting ever-evolving needs as our students grow toward their individual aspirational goals. Cabrillo is a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) with a special focus on enhancing the Latinx student experience. Come join our team, valuing high-level and innovative instruction, support services, a welcoming environment, and helping to change the world one student at a time!

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

Salary:

Full-time administrative/management assignment (223-day work year), 12 months per year, Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., with evenings and/or weekends as needed. Current eight-step schedule ranges from $117,269 to $165,009 per year. Salary placement is determined by documented education and experience. A doctoral stipend of $4,885 per year is provided to eligible employees. Position scheduled to begin as soon as possible, pending funding and Governing Board ratification. Cabrillo is unable to sponsor work visas.

Benefits:

Cabrillo College currently provides a generous benefit stipend for employees plus dependents that employees apply towards benefit selections for medical, dental, vision (optional) life, and short-term/long-term disability insurance provided at a share of cost on a pretax basis, PERS Retirement and an employee assistance program (EAP). Depending on health plan selections, in many cases full-time employee net out-of-pocket for benefit premiums may be as low as $0.

Classified administrators are required to join the Public Employee's Retirement System (PERS) and as such must contribute 8% of their monthly salary to PERS on a pre-tax basis. Please see the Benefits link on the HR webpage for more information.

Work-Life Balance:

This opportunity is a full-time assignment, 12 months per year. Cabrillo administrators enjoy a 223-day work schedule, which equates to an average of 19 self-selected non-work days, 19 set holidays, 3 individual responsibility days off annually, 12 days of sick leave accrue annually, 7 days of which can be used as Personal Necessity.

Cabrillo's Commitment to Diversity:

The ideal candidate will share Cabrillo's commitment to educating its racially and socioeconomically diverse student population. Cabrillo College serves approximately 11,400 students per term. As of 2024, 60% of Cabrillo students are members of minoritized populations, identifying themselves as LatinX (50%), Multi Ethnic (6%), Asian (2%), Black Non-Hispanic (1%), Filipino (1%), American Indian/Alaskan Native (<1%) and Pacific Islander (<1%). In 2007, Cabrillo College was designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution, reflecting the great responsibility that the College has to the educational attainment and economic well-being of the surrounding community.

Cabrillo College has a tradition of collegial governance, and employees at all levels possess a long history of participatory governance in all levels of decision-making at the college. Cabrillo provides an excellent opportunity to learn, collaborate, create, and make a difference in the lives of its students and community.

Employees at Cabrillo College support quality programs and services to students that promote their diverse and evolving needs as they progress toward their individual educational goals. Come join us in our vision to improve the world, one student at a time!

Examples of Duties

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class.

Plans, organizes, directs, controls, integrates and evaluates the work of assigned staff; develops, implements and monitors work plans to achieve goals and objectives; contributes to the development of and monitors performance against the annual department budget; manages and directs development, implementation and evaluation of plans, work processes, systems and procedures to achieve annual goals, objectives and work standards.
Directs and manages the performance of assigned staff; interviews and selects new staff; establishes performance requirements and personal development targets for direct reports; regularly monitors performance and provides coaching for performance improvement and development; recommends compensation; hears and acts on grievances; subject to concurrence by senior management and Human Resources, takes disciplinary action, up to and including termination, to address performance deficiencies, in accordance with Board policies, Administrative Procedures, Human Resources procedures and collective bargaining agreements.
Provides day-to-day leadership and works with staff to ensure a high-performance, service-oriented work environment that supports achievement of the department's and District's mission, objectives and values; promotes workplace diversity, inclusion, cultural competency and a positive work environment.
With members of Senior Management, participates in the development and implementation of District-wide strategic plans, goals and objectives; leads and directs department staff in the development and application of new methodologies, technologies and business process improvements to achieve higher efficiency, productivity and customer service in department work processes.
Interprets, applies and ensures compliance with applicable laws, codes and regulations; remains current on applicable legislative decisions and developments; keeps abreast of developments in the fields of marketing, communications and not-for-profit management and governance.
Conducts or oversees regular market research and tracks trends applicable to the District; develops, implements and monitors systems and procedures necessary to the smooth operations of the marketing and communications department.
Serves as a member of the Cabinet, attends or sits on various committees and collaborates with members of the executive team in development of the District's marketing, communications, public relations, community development and government relations programs.
Develops and implements short- and long-range plans and strategies that advance the District brand and goals; ensures that the District's mission and vision are pertinent and visualized throughout the organization; regularly meets with District managers and administrators to ensure their enrollment messages, social media presence and community engagements are aligned with the District's overall mission and vision.
Oversees and participates in the development of marketing, promotional and public relations activities and materials to support outreach, visibility, recruiting and enrollment management; participates in developing plans to achieve branding strategies and to ensure publications, releases, advertisements and electronic media are consistent with brand and image.
Oversees the District's web and social media platforms; ensures that assigned staff works closely with departments to make sure all websites meet usability guidelines and accessibility requirements.
Develops and maintains internal and external communications to keep District employees, students and the public informed of college events and accomplishments.
Facilitates District involvement in regional and statewide organizations and coalitions focused on legislation, economic development and communications/marketing.
Participates in participatory governance processes and initiatives.
Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation and ethnic backgrounds of community college students, faculty and staff.

OTHER DUTIES

Functions as the District's Public Information Officer working with key media stakeholders.
Represents the District at local, regional, state and national conferences, meetings, workshops and training seminars.
Participates as a member of the Incident Command Team for Emergency Preparedness.
Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Understanding of, and sensitivity to, the diverse academic, socio-economic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, disability, and sexual orientation, of community college students, faculty and staff; AND
Graduation from an accredited college or university, and at least five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in marketing, community development or public and government relations developing and implementing marketing, public relations or legislative programs; OR
An equivalent combination of training and experience.

Desirables:

A master's degree from an accredited institution.
Experience in an educational or governmental setting.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Theories, principles, practices and techniques of public relations, marketing, branding and advertising applicable to a community college.
The role of community colleges in education and community development.
The District's mission, goals and policies and their implications for development of strategic public, community and governmental relations programs and activities.
Organization, functions, and interrelationships of the District's various operating units.
Regional workforce and economic development trends and workforce issues relevant to a community college.
Objectives and interests of legislative, political, professional, employee, student, business and community groups impacting the District.
Communications and media sources and their most effective uses, including print, broadcast, web and social media, including usability guidelines and accessibility requirements.
Principles and techniques for the design, content, layout and production of marketing and public relations materials including uses of industry-standard graphic design software.
Principles of conflict resolution and crisis management as they apply to assigned areas of responsibility.
Concepts, methods and techniques of issue and image management and market branding.
Principles and practices of excellent customer service.
Applicable federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations [including OSHA rules and regulations if applicable].
Principles and practices of sound business communication.
Research methods and analysis techniques.
Principles and practices of effective management and supervision.
Principles and practices of strategic planning.
Basic principles and practices of organizational improvement and culture change.
Safety policies and safe work practices applicable to the work being performed.
Board Policies, Administrative Procedures, Human Resources procedures and collective bargaining agreements.

Skills and Abilities to:

Plan and direct strategic communications, marketing and public relations activities in a community college, applying sound research and analytical techniques in the collection, summarization and analysis of information for media distribution and presentations.
Represent the District effectively to community groups, businesses and cultural organizations in public settings and with media representatives on a variety of issues.
Identify the characteristics of diverse target audiences and determine the most effective communication techniques for reaching and motivating these groups for maximum support of District programs, services and activities.
Coordinate and direct the production and distribution of a wide variety of promotional materials.
Analyze situations accurately and adopt effective courses of action.
Exercise the authority of the position with initiative, discretion, diplomacy, honesty, integrity and tact.
Define issues, analyze problems, evaluate alternatives and develop sound, independent conclusions and recommendations on complex public relations issues in accordance with laws, regulations, rules and policies.
Work collaboratively with District deans, directors and managers and the community and provide expert advice and counsel to develop solutions to complex issues.
Organize, set priorities and exercise expert, independent judgment within areas of responsibility.
Develop and maintain an inclusive work environment that fosters diversity, respect and engagement.
Develop and implement appropriate procedures and controls.
Prepare clear, concise and comprehensive correspondence, reports, studies and other written materials.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Understand, interpret, explain and apply applicable laws, codes and ordinances.
Make presentations and present proposals and recommendations clearly, logically and persuasively to diverse audiences.
Maintain a calm and composed demeanor in all situations including those involving a crisis or emergency.
Operate a computer and use standard business software.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work.

LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
A valid California driver's license or ability to access and use alternative transportation.

Additional Information

APPLICATION PROCESS

Required for submission:

Complete application & answer supplemental questions; providing detailed information to aid in determining the minimum qualification requirements have been met
Attach resume
Attach unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended showing degree(s) conferred (copies, photos, and downloads are acceptable). Foreign transcripts must be evaluated for U.S. equivalency and any costs are at the applicant's expense - click here for more information

Please note: All application materials must be received by 11:59 pm on the closing date indicated above.

Official Transcripts

As part of the onboarding process, you are expected to submit official college transcripts within 30 days of hire.

Attention Applicants

Only completed applications with the above required documents will be reviewed by the committee; additional documents will not be reviewed by the committee. Remove personally identifiable information such as personal photos, social security number, birth date, age, and gender from your application materials. Expenses related to the recruitment process are the responsibility of the applicant. Cabrillo is unable to sponsor work visas.

Questions? Concerns? Please contact HR as Departments, Divisions, and Committee Members are unable to discuss active recruitments with potential candidates.

Selection Procedure

A search committee will review and invite applicants for an interview. Meeting the posted requirements does not guarantee an interview. A written performance exercise and/or presentation may be a part of the interview, and finalists may be invited to return for a second interview. All notifications will be via email, and can also be accessed through your application profile.

Conditions of Employment

Selected candidates given a conditional offer of employment are required to submit tuberculosis screening clearance results, proof of eligibility to work in the United States, and present their Social Security card upon hire (for payroll purposes). Cabrillo is an eVerify employer.

EEO Statement

Cabrillo College is an equal opportunity employer and actively seeks a diverse pool of qualified applicants. The policy of the College is to encourage applications from all persons. No person shall be denied employment because of ethnicity or race, color, sex or gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, religion, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, medical conditions, status or protected veteran status.

Accommodations

Persons with disabilities who require reasonable accommodation to complete the employment process must notify Human Resources at cabrillohr@cabrillo.edu.

To apply, please visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/cabrilloedu/jobs/5251230/director-marketing-and-communications