Director for Integrated Communications

Emporia State University; Emporia (KS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Free Dental Insurance for employees

Retirement benefits

Paid parental leave

Vacation and holidays

Tuition reduction

Dependent tuition waiver

Job summary

Emporia State University is seeking a strategic, creative, and collaborative Director for Integrated Communications to unify the university's voice across channels and advance enrollment growth, brand reputation, public relations, and campus engagement.

The Director develops and implements comprehensive communication strategies that engage prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty, staff, media, and community stakeholders.

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a related field is required.
• 3–5 years of professional experience in integrated communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, or related field.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling across multiple formats and platforms.
• Experience with media relations and digital communications tools.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and collaborative communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute integrated communications strategies aligned with university priorities.
• Lead cross-channel content development and maintain consistent messaging, voice, and visual identity.
• Collaborate with departments to promote programs, events, achievements, and initiatives.
• Direct media relations with press releases, pitches, inquiries, and journalist relationships.
• Oversee digital communications including social media, email marketing, and website content.
• Monitor analytics and performance metrics to guide continuous improvement.
• Maintain brand standards, messaging guidelines, and visual identity.
• Support crisis communications and provide strategic counsel.
• Lead internal communications to engage faculty, staff, and students.

Skills

Strong writing

Editing

Storytelling

Media relations

Digital communications

Project management

Collaboration

Interpersonal skills

Education

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

Job description

Emporia State University is seeking a strategic, creative, and collaborative leader to serve as the Director for Integrated Communications. This position is responsible for unifying and elevating the voice of the university across all communication channels while advancing institutional priorities related to enrollment growth, brand reputation, public relations, and campus engagement. The Director develops and implements comprehensive communication strategies that support the university's mission and effectively engage prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty, staff, media, and community stakeholders.

Reporting to the Vice President for Engagement and Chief Marketing Officer, the Director for Integrated Communications serves as a key partner in shaping university messaging, strengthening brand identity, and ensuring consistent, impactful communication across digital, print, media, and internal communication platforms.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and execute integrated communications strategies that support university priorities, including enrollment, advancement, academic initiatives, and institutional engagement.
• Lead cross-channel content development and ensure consistency of messaging, voice, and visual identity across all communication platforms.
• Collaborate with academic and administrative departments to promote university programs, events, achievements, and strategic initiatives.
• Direct media relations efforts, including writing press releases, pitching stories, responding to media inquiries, and building positive relationships with journalists and media outlets.
• Oversee digital communications activities, including social media, email marketing, website content, and other digital engagement strategies.
• Monitor communication analytics and performance metrics to assess effectiveness and guide continuous improvement efforts.
• Maintain and enforce university brand standards, messaging guidelines, and visual identity requirements.
• Support crisis communication planning and provide strategic communication counsel during sensitive or high-profile situations.
• Lead and support internal communication initiatives that engage and inform faculty, staff, and students.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Minimum Qualifications:

A successful candidate must possess a bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, or a related field.

Candidates should also possess:

• Three to five years of professional experience in integrated communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, or a related field.
• Strong writing, editing, and storytelling skills across multiple communication formats and platforms.
• Experience working with media relations and digital communications tools.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and priorities while meeting deadlines.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and collaborative communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in higher education, public sector, or mission-driven organizations.
• Experience managing university, corporate, or organizational brand strategy.
• Experience with crisis communications and reputation management.
• Experience utilizing communication analytics and data to drive strategic decisions.

WORK SCHEDULE

• This is a full-time, 12-month position. Occasional evening and weekend availability is required to support university events and communication needs.

COMPENSATION:

Compensation will be negotiable based upon education & experience.

BENEFITS:

Base pay is one component of Emporia State University’s total rewards package. We are dedicated to supporting the needs of the “whole you” with our holistic approach to employee benefits by offering comprehensive well-being benefits for you and your family that include:

• Health Insurance
• Free Dental insurance for employees
• Retirement through the Kansas Board of Regents
• Paid parental leave
• Up to 31 days paid vacation and holiday days
• Tuition reduction and tuition assistance
• Dependent tuition waiver
• For full details about our benefit plan offerings, please visit the benefits webpage.