Communications Strategist

Portland State University; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 62,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Premium healthcare (95% covered)

Retirement and vacation package

Reduced tuition for employee/spouse/de

Open to PSU employees only

Job summary

Portland State University is seeking a Communications Strategist to serve as an embedded partner to colleges and major units, reporting to University Communications. The role develops data-informed communication plans to advance PSU's priorities and translate complex initiatives into clear, compelling stories that align with the brand and messaging pillars.

The strategist will work closely with academic leaders, faculty, and staff, balancing local context with campus-wide alignment while

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations or related field.
• 2 years professional experience in communications, journalism or public relations.
• Demonstrable portfolio of successful communications projects.
• Strong verbal and writing skills.
• Fluency in digital and social media.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute thoughtful, data-informed communication strategies that advance PSU's priorities.
• Translate complex initiatives into clear, compelling stories aligned with PSU's brand.
• Collaborate with academic leaders, faculty, and staff to support enrollment and engagement goals.
• Balance local context with campus-wide alignment in a decentralized environment.

Skills

Strong writing skills

Verbal communication

Digital and social media fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/journalism/public relations or related field

Job description

Position Announcement

Proposed Start Date

Proposed Start Date 12/01/2026

Classification Title

Classification Title Communications / Marketing

Rank

Rank N - No Rank

Working Title

Working Title Communications Strategist

Department

Department 101400 - OMC Marketing & Communications

Position Number

Position Number D90545

Representation

Representation UU - Unclassified Unrepresented

Renewable

Renewable Renewable

End date, if applicable

Position FTE

Position FTE 1.0

Tenure Status F - Fixed Term

Position Summary

Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept

The Office of Marketing and Communications mission is to help the University grow and prosper by increasing public awareness and preference for Portland State University. Specifically, the office leads integrated marketing communication plans that support the University’s strategic goals and enhance its brand image.

Position Summary

The Communications Strategist is a key role within Portland State University’s centrally coordinated marketing and communications model. This position serves as an embedded strategic partner to assigned colleges, schools, or major units while reporting centrally to University Communications.

The Communications Strategist is responsible for developing and executing thoughtful, data-informed communication strategies that advance PSU's academic priorities, enrollment and engagement goals, and overall reputation. Working closely with academic leaders, faculty, and staff, the strategist translates complex initiatives and achievements into clear, compelling stories that align with PSU's brand, message pillars, and institutional priorities.

This role requires a collaborative, strategic thinker who can balance local context with campus-wide alignment, and who thrives in a complex, decentralized environment undergoing transformation.
This position is open to PSU employees only.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations or related field.
• 2 years professional experience in communications, journalism or public relations.
• Demonstrable portfolio of successful communications projects.
• Strong verbal and writing skills.
• Fluency in digital and social media.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional public relations experience in education, government, nonprofit or private sector.
• Experience in strategic and crisis communications.
• Professional experience includes digital and social media.
• 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 of PSU's policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.

Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.

Work Days/Hours

Work Days/Hours Monday-Friday, 8 am to 5pm; occasional evenings or weekends on an emergent basis.

Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement

Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.
The starting annual salary for this position will be between $61,899 and $68,778, but may be negotiated above this rate dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.

An excellent benefits package includes:

• 95% premium paid healthcare
• a generous retirement and vacation package
• reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools

Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.

This position is open to PSU employees only.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled