Director of AI Innovation and Communications

Arizona State University; Tempe (AZ); On-site; USD 160,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona State University seeks a Director of AI Innovation and Communications to lead a university-wide AI communications strategy across MRSC, ASU News, and related teams, ensuring responsible AI use and compelling external messaging.

The role reports to the VP of Media Relations & Strategic Communications and focuses on building AI fluency, governance, and partnerships with technology teams to advance ASU's AI leadership and public impact.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and ten years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
• At least two years of demonstrated experience applying AI in communications or a related professional setting, including identifying use cases, using generative AI for research and content development, designing AI-enabled workflows, and applying responsible AI practices.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public affairs, journalism, digital communications, technology communications, or a related field.
• Seasoned communicator with strong practical AI fluency and the ability to translate among editorial, communications, technical, and leadership teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead a department-wide AI communications and innovation strategy across MRSC and related teams.
• Identify, test and implement AI-enabled approaches for story discovery, media targeting, and content distribution.
• Modernize workflows through responsible AI use, while preserving editorial standards and accountability.
• Build AI fluency and adoption across MRSC via training, resources, and playbooks.
• Lead MRSC AI initiatives, defining needs, use cases, requirements, and governance.
• Oversee development of public-facing AI experiences in partnership with ASU News and Enterprise Technology.
• Develop AI-assisted research and knowledge-management capabilities to identify stories and monitor AI developments.
• Lead MRSC's communications strategy for ASU's AI work across research, teaching, and public impact.
• Maintain an active AI ecosystem network and translate trends into communication opportunities and risk guidance.
• Position ASU as a trusted AI authority in higher education through timely experts and thought leadership.
• Address AI-related issues such as misinformation, privacy, and regulation.
• Promote responsible AI practices aligning MRSC with ASU requirements for human review and disclosure.
• Measure and report on AI initiatives, advising on scaling or discontinuation.

Skills

AI fluency

Strategic communications

Public affairs

Journalism

Digital communications

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Salary Range: $160,000–$175,000 per year; DOE

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping how communications teams discover stories, conduct research, create and distribute content, monitor issues and understand audiences. It is also a defining area of ASU research, teaching and public impact. Media Relations & Strategic Communications (MRSC) is seeking a Director of AI Innovation and Communications to help the department apply AI responsibly across its work and strengthen how ASU's AI expertise, strategy and impact are communicated to external audiences.

Media Relations & Strategic Communications is the central communications team for Arizona State University, one of the largest public research universities in the country. ASU is an R1 research university with more than $1 billion in annual research expenditures and is a national leader in microelectronics, engineering, space exploration, climate and sustainability, and more.

The Director of AI Innovation and Communications will report to the Vice President for Media Relations & Strategic Communications.

The successful candidate will help MRSC:

• Develop and lead a department-wide AI communications and innovation strategy across media relations, ASU News, strategic communications, presidential communications, visual communications, broadcast, social media, audience development and distribution.
• Partner with MRSC teams to identify, test and implement AI-enabled approaches, including story discovery and background research, media targeting, pitch development, issue and trend monitoring, and content adaptation and distribution.
• Modernize and enhance daily workflows through responsible use of AI, reducing repetitive work and expanding staff capacity while preserving human judgment, editorial standards, accuracy and accountability.
• Build AI fluency and adoption across MRSC through training, coaching, shared resources, demonstrations and practical playbooks.
• Serve as the strategic and functional lead for MRSC AI initiatives, defining user needs, use cases, requirements, content standards, evaluation criteria and governance.
• Guide the continued development and evaluation of public-facing AI experiences in partnership with ASU News, visual communications, AI developers and Enterprise Technology.
• Lead the development of AI-assisted research, monitoring and knowledge-management capabilities to help MRSC identify stories and track developments across ASU and the AI ecosystem.
• Lead MRSC's communications strategy for ASU's work in AI, coordinating accurate and compelling messaging across research, teaching, operations and public impact.
• Maintain an active network across the AI ecosystem, monitoring emerging technologies, policy, regulation and narrative shifts and translating them into communications opportunities and risk guidance.
• Position ASU as a trusted authority on AI in higher education by identifying timely storylines, experts and thought-leadership platforms.
• Help MRSC anticipate and prepare for AI-related issues such as misinformation, synthetic media, privacy, intellectual property, bias and regulation.
• Establish and promote responsible AI practices for communications, aligning MRSC's work with ASU requirements for human review, verification, privacy and disclosure.
• Measure and report on MRSC's AI initiatives, evaluating adoption, effectiveness and risk, and recommending which approaches should be scaled, revised or discontinued.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree and ten (10) years of experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.

Desired Qualifications:

• At least two years of demonstrated experience applying AI in communications or a related professional setting, including identifying use cases, using generative AI for research and content development, designing AI-enabled workflows, and applying responsible AI practices.
• At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public affairs, journalism, digital communications, technology communications, or a related field.
• Seasoned communicator with strong practical AI fluency and the ability to translate among editorial, communications, technical, and leadership teams.
• Strong communications judgment, curiosity, hands‑on AI experience, and the ability to lead change.
• Ability to explain complex technical and policy developments clearly and collaborate productively with developers and Enterprise Technology teams.
• Ability to build trusted partnerships across communications, technology, legal, privacy, compliance, and leadership teams.
• This is not a software‑development position; relevant experience may come from AI- or technology-focused journalism, an industry association, a technology company, or other complex, mission‑driven institutions.

Working Environment:

• Office is located in Tempe, AZ.
• Frequent standing and walking moderate distances to perform work.
• Frequent bending, reaching, lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 25 pounds.
• Regular activities require the ability to quickly change priorities.
• Regular use of standard office equipment including computer workstation, printer, and associated technology peripherals.

EEO Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.

Background Check Statement

ASU conducts pre-employment screening for all positions which includes a criminal background check, verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the background check.

This position is considered safety/security sensitive and will include a fingerprint check. Employment is contingent upon successful passing of the fingerprint check.