Director of Research Communications

About the Department

University Communications and Marketing is the central agency responsible for shaping and sharing the story of NC State University. As the stewards of the NC State brand, we drive the university’s reputation and visibility through integrated marketing, strategic communications, and digital engagement. We are a team of creators, strategists, and problem-solvers dedicated to the “Think and Do” spirit. We collaborate across the university to elevate NC State’s profile as a premier public research institution, supporting enrollment, research, alumni engagement, and institutional prestige.

Research is central to that story. NC State is a top public research university with a sponsored research portfolio exceeding $460 million, and the way we translate that work into public understanding shapes how the university is funded, trusted, and understood. This role sits at the center of that effort, partnering closely with the Office of Research and Innovation to bring the impact of NC State’s discovery and innovation to local, national, and global audiences.

Essential Job Duties

This position leads enterprise-wide research communications that translate complex discoveries, expertise, and innovation into clear, compelling narratives for the audiences who influence NC State’s reputation, resources, and impact—including news media, policymakers, peer institutions, donors, partners, prospective students, faculty, and the public.

• Research Storytelling and Content Strategy:
  • Shape the university’s research narrative and content strategy, identifying and elevating compelling stories across fundamental discovery, translational science, interdisciplinary research, and community-engaged scholarship.
  • Translate complex scientific and technical work into compelling, accessible narratives that maintain research rigor while connecting discovery to the people, questions, and real-world impact behind the work.
  • Develop enterprise research communications strategy in alignment with the division’s integrated communications strategy and NC State’s “Think and Do” brand, message pillars, and visual standards.
• Earned Media and National Visibility for Research:
  • Expand NC State’s national and industry visibility as a research and innovation leader through proactive media strategy and outreach that increases share of voice and positions faculty as trusted experts on issues of consequence.
  • Orchestrate communications around high-impact research moments, including major discoveries, awards, rankings, funding, and other milestones, in partnership with the division’s media relations function.
  • Cultivate relationships with science, research, trade, and industry journalists while strengthening faculty readiness to serve as credible, compelling expert sources.
• Campus Research Communications Network:
  • Lead and strengthen a university-wide research communications network spanning colleges, centers, institutes, and the Office of Research and Innovation, creating greater alignment, visibility, and strategic value while respecting decentralized ownership.
  • Connect communicators, research leadership, faculty, and University Communications and Marketing around shared priorities, creating coordinated pathways for identifying, developing, and amplifying research stories across university channels.
  • Establish shared standards, story pipelines, and collaborative practices that increase the consistency, efficiency, and reach of research communications across the enterprise.
• Issues and Sensitive Research Communications:
  • Provide strategic counsel on emerging and sensitive research-related issues, helping ensure accurate, timely, and coordinated communications in partnership with university leadership and the division’s issues and crisis communications function.
  • Navigate and translate an evolving federal research funding and policy environment, helping internal and external audiences understand implications for NC State’s research enterprise in coordination with the Office of Research and Innovation, legal counsel, and divisional partners.
  • Guide coordinated research communications during periods of disruption or heightened scrutiny, including funding changes, policy transitions, leadership changes, and other issues affecting the university’s research mission and reputation.
• Collaboration, Culture, and Operations:
  • Leverage the division’s existing digital, editorial, marketing, and communications infrastructure to strengthen the reach and effectiveness of research storytelling across web, marketing, and other strategic channels.
  • Lead and develop assigned communications staff, fostering a high-performing, collaborative culture grounded in professional growth, strong execution, and shared accountability.
  • Use audience insight, analytics, and performance measures to strengthen communications strategy, continuously refining storytelling, channels, and engagement based on what advances organizational goals.
  • Oversee external partners, vendors, and project delivery for research communications initiatives, ensuring resources and timelines support strategic priorities.

Other Responsibilities

In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there will be opportunities to represent the division through engagement with internal and external constituents, including university and research leadership, faculty, communicators across the university, representatives from peer institutions, media, partners, and members of the public. These opportunities will be assigned in collaboration with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Integrated Strategic Communications and Vice Chancellor in support of evolving departmental and institutional priorities.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

Post-baccalaureate degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, a scientific or technical discipline, or a related field; or a Bachelor’s degree with equivalent broad-based independent experience in research, science, or strategic communications. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted for the advanced degree. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

Other Required Qualifications

• Six or more years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, science or research communications, or a related field, including translating complex or technical subject matter for non-specialist audiences.
• Advanced research storytelling, writing, editing, and multimedia skills, with the ability to translate complex scientific or technical information into clear, accurate, compelling narratives tailored to varied audiences and channels.
• Media relations and earned media skills, including cultivating journalist relationships and securing high-impact coverage that elevates research, institutional expertise, or organizational priorities.
• Senior-level advising and collaborative leadership skills, including building trust with leaders and subject-matter experts and aligning cross-functional teams or decentralized stakeholders around shared communications goals.
• Sound judgment and discretion in high-stakes communications, with experience assessing sensitive or emerging issues and developing timely, accurate, and coordinated communications.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience communicating within a research-intensive environment, such as an R1 university, academic medical center, federal agency, or science- or technology-focused organization.
• Knowledge of the higher education research ecosystem, including federal research funding agencies, academic research processes, and the research lifecycle.
• People leadership and talent development skills, with experience supervising professional staff and/or student employees and developing communications talent.
• Master’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations, a scientific or technical discipline, or a related field.
• Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) or an equivalent professional credential.
• Media monitoring and analytics skills, with the ability to interpret media and audience data to inform communications strategy and assess impact.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Retirement Programs
• Disability Plans
• Life Insurance
• Accident Plan
• Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
• 12 Holidays Each Year
• Tuition and Academic Assistance
• Childcare benefits
• Wellness & Recreation Membership
• Wellness Programs