Student Communications Manager

Proposed start date: 10/01/2026. Full-time (1.0 FTE) renewable position based in Portland, Oregon. Work schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–5:00 PM, with at least four days per week in-office.

About the department

From our campus in the heart of Portland, University Marketing & Communications (UMC) is the university’s strategic and creative powerhouse. We tell the bold, vibrant stories that showcase PSU as a diverse, forward-thinking, impact-driven institution. We act as stewards of the university’s brand and animators of its narrative, driving enrollment, employee pride, community engagement, and global reputation. Through compelling visual and written content and a strategic approach to social media, media relations, and internal communications, we highlight Portland State’s achievements, foster engagement, and reinforce the university’s contributions to our community and beyond.

About the role

The Student Communications Manager is responsible for leading the strategy and execution of a comprehensive student communications plan designed to ensure that students receive clear and timely messages that facilitate their success at PSU. Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications, the manager partners with campus stakeholders to coordinate communications, build and manage targeted email, SMS, and automated communication campaigns, including advising on timing and audience segmentation. The manager will maintain communication templates and calendars and ensure messaging standards are followed by partners across campus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive student communications strategy.
• Coordinate communications with campus stakeholders to align priorities.
• Design, build, and manage targeted email, SMS, and automated communication campaigns.
• Advise on timing and audience segmentation for communications.
• Maintain communication templates and calendars.
• Ensure messaging standards are followed by partners across campus.
• Use analytics and insights to guide strategy and measure outcomes.
• Support PSU’s equity and inclusion values in all communications.
• Contribute to a culture of environmental stewardship and sustainability.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, Public Relations, or related field.
• 4+ years of experience in communications, marketing, strategic messaging, or related fields.
• Experience implementing communications strategies across multiple audiences and channels.
• Strong writing and editing skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse individuals and communities.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience using Slate CRM to deliver customized communications campaigns.
• Experience working in higher education.

Key cultural competencies

• Create an environment that acknowledges, encourages, and celebrates differences.
• Function and communicate effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities, and cultural backgrounds.
• Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement.
• Adhere to all PSU policies, including those on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Pay

The starting annual salary for this position will be between $61,620 and $77,034, with the possibility of negotiation above this range based on experience, skills, market parity, internal equity, and department budget. New employees typically start around the first quartile of the salary band to allow for later growth.

Benefits

• 95% premium-paid healthcare.
• Generous retirement and vacation package.
• Reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse, or dependents at any Oregon University System school.