Executive Director, Strategic Communications

University of North Carolina Charlotte; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

UNC Charlotte's Athletics Department seeks an Executive Director of Strategic Communications to lead the communications operation, craft executive messaging, and strengthen media relationships. This leader will coach and manage a team of four, collaborate across Marketing, Creative Services, and university leadership, and elevate the department's visibility regionally and nationally.

Applicants should have a bachelor's degree in a related field and 5–7 years in college athletics or PR, with a

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communication, journalism, marketing, or related field.
• 5-7 years in college athletics, professional sports, or PR/communications in education or private sector.
• 5 years of direct team supervision; football and/or men's basketball preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Charlotte Athletics' communications operation and build a modern communications organization focused on strategic communications, public relations, executive communications, internal communications, storytelling, institutional messaging, fan engagement support, recruiting, and organizational reputation.
• Collaborate with Marketing & Fan Engagement, Creative Services, Charlotte 49ers Ventures, the 49ers Club, university leadership, and campus partners to develop a unified communications strategy.
• Serve as primary communications advisor to the Director of Athletics, providing strategic counsel on executive messaging, leadership communications, institutional positioning, public perception, and high-profile initiatives.
• Supervise four full-time employees.

Skills

Media relations

Executive communications

Crisis communications

Storytelling

Relationship building

Strategic planning

Editing

Leadership

Digital communications

AI in communications

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree

Job description

Executive Director, Strategic Communications

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

• The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report
• The Search Committee will not contact references without first verifying permission with the finalist.
• Please ensure your resume reflects the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences to support your answers to the supplemental questions.
• UNC Charlotte Benefits Information: https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits/benefits-overview/

Position Information

Position Number: 012500

Vacancy Open to: All Candidates

Working Title: Executive Director, Strategic Communications

Position Designation: EHRA Non-Faculty

Employment Type: Permanent - Full-time

Months per Year: 12

Work Schedule: Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 , nights and weekends

Hours per week: 40

FLSA Status: Exempt

Division: Athletics

Department: Athletics (Adm)

Work Location: SAC

Salary Range:

Primary Purpose of Department: The mission of the Athletic Department at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is to operate within the perspective of the overall educational programs. With a balanced program that supports opportunities for all students and staff, the department promotes a total person concept that provides its student-athletes with the necessary tools to successful in academic, athletic and social settings. The Department of Athletic supports the highest ethical standards of the University, the NCAA and Conference Affiliation.

Primary Purpose of Position: Direct oversight of the communications planning process, an ability to cultivate and strengthen media relationships, and an ability to draft issue statements and executive communications. This role will be responsible for coaching, managing, and developing a team of direct reports and will maintain an active presence with all internal and external stakeholders.

Summary of Position Responsibilities: The Executive Director oversees Charlotte Athletics' communications operation while building a modern communications organization focused on strategic communications, public relations, executive communications, internal communications, storytelling, institutional messaging, fan engagement support, recruiting, and organizational reputation. Working collaboratively across Charlotte Athletics, this position partners closely with Marketing & Fan Engagement, Creative Services, Charlotte 49ers Ventures, the 49ers Club, university leadership, and campus partners to develop a unified communications strategy that strengthens the department's voice, aligns internal stakeholders, and elevates Charlotte Athletics' visibility across the Charlotte region and nationally. Serving as the primary communications advisor to the Director of Athletics, this role provides strategic counsel on executive messaging, leadership communications, institutional positioning, public perception, and high-profile departmental initiatives. Supervise four full-time employees.

Minimum Education/Experience

• A bachelor's degree in communication, journalism, marketing, or a related field.
• A minimum of 5-7 years of experience in college athletics, professional sports, or at a PR agency, or other communications division in education or the private sector.
• A minimum of 5 years of direct team supervision - football and/or men's basketball preferred.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Demonstrated success leading high-performing communications teams.
• Exceptional writing, editing, strategic planning, and relationship-building skills.
• Experience leading executive communications, crisis communications, and reputation management.
• Strong understanding of media relations, storytelling, digital communications, and audience engagement.
• Experience collaborating across executive leadership, marketing, creative services, development, and revenue-generating functions.
• Experience leveraging AI and emerging technologies to improve communications and organizational effectiveness is preferred.

Special Notes to Applicants:

• The finalist will be subject to a Criminal Background Check and/or a Motor Vehicle Report
• The Search Committee will not contact references without first verifying permission with the finalist.
• Please ensure your resume reflects the knowledge, skills, abilities, and experiences to support your answers to the supplemental questions.
• UNC Charlotte Benefits Information: https://hr.charlotte.edu/benefits/benefits-overview/

Posting Open Date

08/07/2026

Open Until Filled

Yes

Proposed Hire Date

09/04/2026