Communications Director

UWMSN University of Wisconsin Madison; United States; On-site; USD 113,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

The Communications Director serves as a communications strategist and trusted advisor in the Office of the Provost at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, balancing high‑level counsel with hands‑on execution across a broad portfolio.

The role leads executive and strategic communications, internal communications, content development, issues management, and coordination with central and unit communicators; reports to the Chief of Staff with a dotted line to Strategic Communications.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressively responsible communications experience.
• Exceptional writing, editing and verbal communication skills.
• Experience leading communications in complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Identifies, establishes, and directs media relationships and partnerships (20%).
• Develops, implements, and monitors strategic communication initiatives (40%).
• Audits and directs day-to-day operational plans to align with strategy (20%).
• Identifies, proposes, and implements new or revived policies and procedures (20%).

Skills

Executive communication

Strategic communications

Writing and editing

Stakeholder influence

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications or related field

Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category

Job Category: Limited Employment Type: Regular

Job Profile

Communications Director (Inst)

Job Summary

The Communications Director serves as a communications strategist and trusted advisor in the Office of the Provost on executive, internal and institutional communications. The director operates as both a strategic advisor and an operational leader, balancing high-level counsel with hands-on execution across a broad portfolio of work. This role is responsible for:

Executive and Strategic Communications

Leads the development and execution of communications strategies that support the Office of the Provost and advance the academic mission of the University. Ensures that high-level communications are reflective of the campus strategic framework.

Internal Communications Leadership

Leads communications efforts related to academic initiatives, leadership transitions, organizational priorities, policy changes and operational updates.

Communications Coordination

Strengthens alignment and supports the institutional brand across the Provost's portfolio. Develops communication that supports transparency, alignment, engagement and change management across complex academic units. Develops a communications strategy workflow, and smooth execution on daily needs, as well as longer term projects. Fosters connections and supports alignment and partnership among communicators in units reporting to the Office of the Provost. Ensures alignment with central campus communication priorities and the Office of Strategic Communication.

Issues Management

Anticipates institutional risks, reputational considerations and opportunities. Provides guidance on sensitive and high-profile issues, serves as a key liaison with university-wide partners, and assists in executing urgent or emergency communications.

Content Development

Supports the provost's engagements with internal and external audiences. Develops presentations, correspondence, speeches, remarks, web content and talking points. Manages daily operational communication needs of the Office of the Provost. As needed, support units reporting to the Office of the Provost.

The Communications Director will report to the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Provost with a dotted line to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs and Institutional Communications in the Office of Strategic Communication to ensure communication coordination and alignment.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Identifies, establishes, and directs media relationships and partnerships with internal and external sources (20%)
• Develops, implements, and monitors strategic communication initiatives for designated audiences and internal stakeholders to maximize engagement and strengthen collaboration efforts (40%)
• Audits and directs day-to-day operational plans to align with strategic initiatives and to meet established objectives (20%)
• Identifies, proposes, and implements new or revived operational policies and procedures (20%)

Department

Office of the Provost

Compensation

The minimum salary for this position is $125,000. Actual salary is negotiable and will depend on the selected candidate's qualifications. This position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid-time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. Review the benefits summary for more information.

Required Qualifications

• 8+ years of progressively responsible communications experience
• Exceptional writing, editing and verbal communication skills
• Experience leading communications in complex environments

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated organizational judgment, discretion, and ability to manage confidential and sensitive matters
• Experience prioritizing and managing multiple competing priorities
• Track record of building trust through clarity, follow through, and consistency
• Proven ability to build relationships and influence across multiple stakeholders without formal authority
• Experience managing organizational change or large-scale internal communications initiatives
• Demonstrated openness to learning, listening to different perspectives, and adapting strategies when presented with new information
• Understanding of communication technologies and channels and a vision for using them strategically
• Familiarity with higher education organizational structures, including shared governance; academic culture; and institutional decision-making processes
• Experience advising institutional leaders or senior executives on communication strategy and messaging
• Skilled facilitator

Education

Bachelor's degree required

Institutional Statement on Diversity

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals. The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website. To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.

Work with purpose, make an impact, and grow your career. The University of Wisconsin-Madison is committed to equity, inclusion and employee well-being as we proudly work to improve the lives of people in Wisconsin and beyond. UW-Madison offers a wide range of professions that cover various interests and skill levels. We employ everything from accountants to arborists, chefs to custodians, editors to electricians, graphic designers to groundskeepers, HR associates to HVAC technicians, librarians to locksmiths, mechanics to medical assistants, painters to police officers, web designers to welders, and absolutely everything in between! No matter what you are looking for professionally, chances are you will not only find it but will thrive at it while working at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.