Assistant Director, University Communications

About the role

Fordham, founded in 1841, is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education to over 16,000 students across nine colleges and schools. It has multiple campuses including the main Lincoln Center campus, a campus in West Harrison, NY, the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station, and a London Centre. The University provides a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement plans, life insurance, short and long-term disability, an Employee Assistance Program, tuition remission, and generous time off.

Responsibilities

• Maintains awareness of public perception of the University and the higher education industry to identify potential reputational risks and opportunities.
• Develops compelling messaging and storytelling to secure visibility for the University and its leadership.
• Collaborates with social media and digital platform colleagues to amplify and works with media relations colleagues to secure favorable media coverage.
• Identifies, secures, and facilitates strategic thought leadership opportunities for members of the University leadership team, including speaking events, contributed articles, and podcasts.
• Helps shape and maintain the University's and its administrative leadership's online presence.
• Writes communications materials such as talking points, executive briefing documents, byline articles, and op-eds, and University-wide messages.
• Supports internal and external communications during crises to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent messaging to all stakeholders.
• Maintains the University's crisis communications and issues management plan, ensuring its readiness when needed.
• PARTNERS WITH BROADER UNIVERSITY MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS COLLEAGUES TO DEVELOP AND EXECUTE 360° COMMUNICATIONS PROGRAMS.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or other related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of communications experience, including executive communications and issues management.

Qualifications

• Exceptional professional writing skills.
• Strong knowledge of national and local issues affecting the higher education industry.
• Basic knowledge of and commitment to the values underpinning Jesuit education.

Benefits

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plans; life insurance; short and long-term disability; employee assistance program (EAP); tuition remission; and generous time off.

Pay

Minimum Starting Salary: $85,000
Maximum Starting Salary: $95,000

Schedule

Scheduled Hours Per Week: 35

Management Responsibilities

Not responsible for supervision or oversight of others.

Additional Functions

Works in conjunction with outside PR agency as needed.

Posting Detail Information

• Posting Number: A1089P
• Number of Vacancies: 1
• Start Date: ASAP
• Posting Date: 07/01/2026

Special Instructions

EEO Statement: Fordham University is committed to excellence and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds. Fordham University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.