Director of University Communications

Position Summary

The Director of University Communications provides strategic leadership and operational oversight for the university’s communications function, ensuring clear, consistent, and mission-aligned messaging across internal and external audiences.

Key Responsibilities

• Communications Strategy & Planning

• Develop and implement communications strategies that support institutional priorities and strengthen the university’s reputation
• Translate institutional initiatives into coordinated communications plans, messaging frameworks, and timelines
• Partner closely with Marketing to align communications strategies with institutional brand campaigns, marketing initiatives, and audience engagement priorities
• Advise leadership and campus partners on communications strategy, messaging, and positioning

• Internal Communications Leadership

• Lead and support the development and execution of internal communications calendar and strategies to ensure faculty and staff are informed, aligned, and engaged
• Oversee and support institutional internal communications channels, including leadership messages, staff announcements, internal newsletters, and organizational updates
• Build on standards, processes, and timelines for internal communications to ensure clarity, consistency, and effectiveness
• Ensure internal communications reinforce institutional priorities, mission, and culture

• Editorial & Content Oversight

• Oversee and refine editorial content, including institutional announcements, feature stories, and leadership communications
• Ensure content aligns with institutional voice, brand standards, and messaging priorities in coordination with Marketing and brand guidelines

• Leadership Communications

• Oversee communications supporting university leadership, including digital presence, messaging, and thought leadership initiatives
• Ensure leadership communications reflect institutional priorities and reinforce strategic positioning

• Team Leadership & Staff Management

• Supervise communications staff, including full-time employees and/or student employees
• Provide leadership, coaching, and professional development to team members
• Establish team priorities, workflows, and performance expectations

• Project & Workflow Oversight

• Oversee communications workflows and ensure timely execution of communications initiatives
• Cook up communications planning and execution across institutional stakeholders and in alignment with Marketing timelines and campaigns
• Ensure communications processes support efficiency, consistency, and quality

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Marketing to ensure consistent messaging, coordinated campaign execution, and alignment between communications and marketing initiatives
• Collaborate with Advancement, Public Affairs, Alumni Relations, Marketing, and academic leadership to support institutional priorities
• Ensure communications efforts are strategically aligned with marketing strategies, brand positioning, and institutional engagement efforts

• Reporting & Performance Oversight

• Oversee communications reporting and performance tracking
• Collaborate with Marketing to review engagement metrics of branded social media channels and assess effectiveness of campaigns
• Adjust communications approaches based on performance insights and institutional priorities

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field

• 7–10 years of progressive experience in communications, public relations, or related field

• Demonstrated experience leading communications initiatives and managing staff

• Strong writing, editing, and messaging development skills

• Strong organizational and project management skills

• Demonstrated experience collaborating with marketing teams on integrated communications and brand initiatives

Compensation & Benefits

This opportunity is budgeted at $110,000 - $120,000 base compensation. Additional compensation factors may impact total compensation. To learn more about our competitive benefits and additional rewards, including generous paid time-off, medical and dental insurance coverage, life and disability insurance, retirement plan with employer contribution, multiple flexible spending accounts, tuition reimbursement, click the link below.

Click here to learn more.

The Chicago School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Please note: For the protection of faculty, staff, students, and all who enter our facilities, The Chicago School strongly recommends that all employees are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 per CDC guidance.