Director of Strategic Communications

About the role

Under general direction of the Chief Administrative Officer and reporting to the Director of the Institute of Transportation Studies and the Executive Director of the Energy & Efficiency Institute, the Director of Strategic Communications plans, manages, and independently oversees a comprehensive, multidisciplinary communications program supporting the Transportation and Energy Research Cluster, including its affiliated research centers, initiatives, and academic programs.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement integrated communications strategies that advance institutional priorities, elevate the visibility and impact of research, strengthen stakeholder engagement, support fundraising and partnership development, increase student enrollment and engagement, and enhance the reputation of the Cluster at regional, national, and international levels.
• Serve as the principal communications advisor to institute leadership, faculty directors, and senior administrators on strategic communications planning, messaging, branding, media relations, issues management, executive communications, and public engagement.
• Manage a comprehensive communications program spanning multiple disciplines, including strategic communications, marketing, digital communications, publications, media relations, social media, web communications, multimedia production, events, and visual communications.
• As a member of the Cluster’s leadership team, establish communications priorities, develop long- and short‑term strategic communications plans, allocate communications resources, and evaluate program effectiveness through measurable outcomes.
• Ensure communications activities align with university priorities, identity standards, and organizational objectives while translating complex scientific and technical research into compelling communications for policymakers, government agencies, industry leaders, sponsors, faculty, students, media, and the public.
• Manage professional staff, student employees, and contracted communications professionals while fostering a collaborative, innovative, and service‑oriented communications organization that delivers high‑quality products within established timelines and available resources.
• Allocate effort approximately: 35% Strategic Communications Leadership, 25% Integrated Communications, Marketing, and Digital Strategy, 20% External Relations, Partnerships, and Organizational Engagement, 20% Program Administration and Personnel Management.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and professional experience.
• Extensive progressively responsible experience managing comprehensive communications programs in higher education, research, government, nonprofit, or similarly complex organizations.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic communications plans across multiple communications disciplines.
• Experience supervising professional communications staff and managing multidisciplinary communications projects.
• Experience managing media relations, digital communications, publications, branding, and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex scientific, technical, or policy information for diverse audiences.
• Strong analytical, organizational, project management, and budget management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in communications, public affairs, journalism, marketing, business, or a related discipline; OR graduate degree in an energy or transportation related field of study, such as engineering, environmental science or policy, etc.
• Experience supporting research organizations, academic institutions, or federally funded research programs.
• Experience supporting executive leadership, fundraising initiatives, and strategic partnerships.
• Knowledge of transportation, energy, sustainability, climate, engineering, or public policy issues.

Pay

Salary or Pay Range: $105,300/yr. – $208,500/yr. (Dept. budgeted range: $105,300/yr. – $140,000/yr. Commensurate with experience)