Director, Strategic Communication and Content

Careers at Drexel; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 83,000 - 124,000; Full time

Job summary

Drexel University in Philadelphia seeks a Director of Strategic Communications and Content to lead the College of Engineering and Computing's communications strategy and storytelling. You will partner with senior leadership to elevate reputation, visibility, and engagement across external and internal audiences.

The role oversees executive, research, faculty communications, thought leadership, and multi-channel content.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in communications, PR, journalism, marketing, or related field.
• 7–10 years of progressive professional experience in communications, brand management, or public relations.
• Experience leading content for digital and print and managing direct reports.
• Experience in crisis communications and rapid-response messaging.
• Proven ability to secure media placements and develop multi-channel strategies.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic communications plan aligned with College priorities.
• Serve as the principal communications advisor to College leadership.
• Lead executive, research, faculty communications and thought leadership initiatives.
• Oversee content strategy, messaging frameworks, and editorial calendars.
• Collaborate with University partners and departments to ensure messaging consistency.
• Manage freelancers, agencies, and vendors as assigned.
• Support internal communications and staff engagement initiatives.

Skills

Strategic communications

Leadership

Media relations

Crisis management

Brand management

Content strategy

Executive communications

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, PR, Journalism, Marketing

Job description

Job Summary

The Director, Strategic Communications and Content, serves as the Howley College of Engineering and Computing's lead communications strategist and chief storyteller. Reporting to the Executive Director, Marketing and Communications, this position develops and executes comprehensive communications strategies that enhance the College's reputation, visibility, and engagement among external and internal audiences.

The Director leads executive communications, research communications, faculty communications, thought leadership initiatives, internal communications, media relations support, and content strategy across multiple channels. Working closely with College leadership, faculty, researchers, University Marketing & Communications (UMAC), Institutional Advancement, and other stakeholders, this role identifies and amplifies stories that demonstrate the impact of the College's teaching, research, innovation, and engagement with employer partners and the community.

The Director serves as a strategic advisor to College leadership, translating institutional priorities into compelling communications that strengthen the College's academic reputation, support faculty visibility, and elevate the College's standing among peer institutions, industry partners, alumni, donors, and the broader higher education community.

Essential Functions

• Strategic Communications & Reputation Management:
  • Partner with the Executive Director to develop and execute a comprehensive strategic communications plan aligned with College priorities and institutional goals.
  • Serve as the principal communications advisor to College leadership.
  • Develop messaging frameworks supporting major initiatives, organizational priorities, and reputation-building efforts.
  • Collaborate with UMAC to ensure alignment with University communications strategies and policies.
  • Support executive, strategic, and crisis communication efforts as needed.
  • Monitor emerging issues and opportunities affecting College reputation and visibility.
• Research & Faculty Communications:
  • Develop and implement a research communications strategy that elevates faculty scholarship, innovation, and research impact.
  • Promote faculty achievements, major grants, research breakthroughs, industry partnerships, and interdisciplinary initiatives.
  • Partner with faculty and researchers to translate complex technical subject matter into accessible and compelling communications.
  • Collaborate with media relations teams to identify earned media opportunities and position faculty as experts.
  • Develop thought-leadership initiatives that increase faculty and College visibility through articles, op-eds, speaking engagements, videos, podcasts, and other platforms.
  • Support rankings, prestige, and reputation-building initiatives through strategic storytelling.
• Executive Communications & Internal Communications:
  • In collaboration with the Executive Director, develop and produce executive communications for College leadership.
  • Draft speeches, presentations, talking points, announcements, leadership messages, and strategic communications.
  • Develop internal communications strategies that support faculty and staff engagement.
  • Ensure consistent messaging and communication across the College and its three Schools.
• Content Strategy & Editorial Leadership:
  • Develop and maintain a College-wide editorial strategy and content calendar.
  • Plan and oversee the creation of feature stories, news articles, reports, newsletters, websites, videos, presentations, and other communications materials.
  • Ensure consistency of voice, messaging, and quality across communication channels.
  • Maintain and expand a library of reusable content assets that support College priorities.
  • Revise and rewrite content, as needed, to appeal to specific audience segments.
• Team Leadership & Collaboration:
  • Supervise content development staff and coordinate communications projects.
  • Establish communications workflows and editorial standards.
  • Foster collaboration with academic departments, advancement, enrollment teams, and University partners.
  • Manage freelancers, agencies, and vendors as assigned.
• Other Duties as Assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Marketing, or related field or the equivalent combination of education and work experience. (Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.)
• Minimum of 7 to 10 years of progressive professional experience in communications, brand management, or public relations.
• Leadership:
  • Minimum 3-5 years of experience managing direct report(s) responsible for creating content for digital and print.
• Institutional Adaptability:
  • Experience working within a complex, decentralized organization.
• Crisis Management:
  • Demonstrated competence handling crisis communications, issue mitigation, and rapid-response messaging.
• Media Relations:
  • Track record of securing local, national, or trade media placements for technical, scientific, or academic innovations.
• Strategic Execution:
  • Experience developing and executing multi-channel, data-driven communication plans across web, social media, print, and video platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• STEM and Research Literacy:
  • Experience translating complex engineering, computing, or scientific research into accessible narratives.
• Executive Communications:
  • Prior experience drafting messaging, speeches, and thought leadership pieces for academic officers or corporate executives.
• Advancement and Donor Relations:
  • Experience partnering with institutional advancement teams to craft compelling case statements, fundraising appeals, and donor impact stories.
• Industry and Employer Engagement:
  • Familiarity with marketing corporate-academic partnerships, experiential education (co-op) models, and workforce development initiatives.

Location

• University City - Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information

This position is classified as Exempt, grade M. Compensation for this grade ranges from $82,920.00 - $124,380.00 per year. Please note that the offered rate for this position will vary based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and Compensation Guidelines & Policies for more details on Drexel’s compensation framework. For information about benefits, please review Drexel’s Benefits Brochure.

Advertised: Sep 2 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: Sep 16 2026 Eastern Daylight Time