Marketing and Communications Manager

About Tidewater Community College

Tidewater Community College has served South Hampton Roads – both students and employers – for 50 years. It has grown from 1 campus into a regional educational and economic force. TCC is the largest provider of higher education and workforce services in Hampton Roads, enrolling nearly 25,000 students in 2024-25. Founded in 1968 as a part of the Virginia Community College System, Tidewater Community College (TCC) services South Hampton Roads with 4 campuses in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Virginia Beach, 7 regional centers and 2 important cultural institutions. The college had 3,399 graduates in 2024-2025, 40 percent of whom pursued degrees that would let them transfer to 4-year institutions. Of South Hampton Roads residents enrolled in higher education 33% enrolled at TCC. TCC’s institutional accreditation is affirmed through 2027 by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.

Job Description

This position will support Institutional Advancement at TCC by managing and growing an engaged online community via official TCC social media and web properties, providing relevant content and spurring meaningful dialogue, and working to secure media spots on behalf of the college to amplify our voice. This role will oversee the Communications team, championing the standard of new social media as an efficient way to build engaged communities at TCC. This position will raise the visibility of TCC by amplifying our public relations, social media, and digital properties to share news and stories in relevant and timely ways. To maximize TCC’s ability to support existing students, while attracting and recruiting prospective students and partners.

Responsible for shaping and amplifying Tidewater Community College’s public voice. This position manages the day-to-day operations of the Communications Team, leads the college’s public relations efforts, and coordinates official TCC social media and web properties. By championing innovative digital engagement strategies, this role ensures TCC’s stories resonate with students, employers, and the community, ultimately supporting student recruitment, retention, and institutional reputation.

Media & Public Relations

• Serve as a secondary point of contact for media contacts, working in partnership with the of Director Marketing & Public Relations
• Proactively pitch stories, monitor PR trends, and provide reports to Director
• Draft and distribute press releases, media advisories, and oversee talking points for college stakeholders.

Marketing & Social Media

• Develop and execute a social media strategy designed to increased web referrals, engagement, and audience growth.
• Create, edit, and curate compelling, concise copy and multimedia content that promotes TCC’s culture, programs, and people
• Assist Director of Marketing and Public Relations with strategic planning for media buys and paid advertising campaigns

Digital Marketing & Social Strategy

• Empower TCC students and staff to become better brand advocates, recruiting and coaching them to amplify our voice.
• Engage with the online community to respond to questions, comments
• Collaborate with the Campus Communicators and Campus Writer to discover and amplify news stories across the college.

Minimum Qualifications

• Knowledge of public relations and marketing best practices, with the ability to monitor industry trends to ensure relevant earned and paid media coverage.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, including the ability to research, identify, and produce compelling, concise content that reflects TCC’s culture, programs, people, and impact and adheres to AP Style or similar editorial standards.
• Ability to create and adapt content that promotes institutional initiatives across digital, social, web, and traditional media platforms.
• High level of proficiency with social media and web platforms, including the ability to create, post, and manage attractive, shareable content in accordance with best practices.
• Ability to monitor trends in social media tools and applications, and to apply analytics to measure traffic, engagement, and audience growth.
• Ability to edit and maintain content on institutional websites and digital properties, and to independently or collaboratively identify, research, and amplify college news and stories.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to represent TCC professionally, respectfully, and with cultural awareness to diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• Ability to recruit, coach, and empower departments, students, and staff to amplify institutional stories and culture through social media and digital engagement.

Additional Considerations

• Previous Marketing experience in Higher Education
• Supervisory experience