Executive Director, Academic Communications & Marketing

The Ohio State University; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

The Senior Director of Communications and Marketing at The Ohio State University leads a high-impact office focused on strategic storytelling and executive communications for Academic Affairs. This role partners with senior leaders to shape messaging that highlights academic excellence, student success, research impact, and institutional leadership.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the position oversees a team, drives editorial planning across channels, and ensures alignment with university

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in communications, journalism, or a related field.
• 10+ years of professional experience in communications, public relations, higher education, or related roles working with senior executives.
• Proven success in communications for higher education and/or non-profit organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to influence people to meet goals and deadlines, and work collaboratively with senior leadership, faculty, consultants, colleagues, and other constituents.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of communications strategies that advance the priorities of the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA).
• Serve as the principal communications advisor to the Executive Vice President and Provost, Chief of Staff, and senior OAA leadership.
• Provide leadership, supervision, and professional development for communications team staff, fostering a high-performing, collaborative culture.
• Directs the establishment of goals, metrics, and evaluation processes to measure the effectiveness of communications efforts.
• Oversee the development of speeches, presentations, talking points, messages, reports, and other executive communications.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic messaging

Executive communications

Storytelling

Project management

Collaboration

Public relations

Education

Master’s degree in communications

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Social media tools

Web tools

Job description

The Senior Director of Communications and Marketing at The Ohio State University leads a high-impact office focused on strategic storytelling and executive communications for Academic Affairs. This role partners with senior leaders to shape messaging that highlights academic excellence, student success, research impact, and institutional leadership.

Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the position oversees a team, drives editorial planning across channels, and ensures alignment with university