Executive Director, Strategic Communications

UNC Charlotte; Iowa; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte seeks an Executive Director of Strategic Communications to lead its institutional messaging, media relations, and executive communications. This role will supervise a team, advise the Director of Athletics, and coordinate with Marketing, Creative Services, and university leadership to elevate Charlotte Athletics’ national visibility.

Ideal candidates will have 5+ years in college athletics or related communications, proven writing and leadership

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism, marketing, or a related field.
• 5-7 years of experience in college athletics, professional sports, or related communications.
• Minimum 5 years of direct team supervision, football and/or men’s basketball preferred.

Responsibilities

• Direct oversight of the communications planning process and media relations.
• Draft issue statements and executive communications; coach and develop a team.
• Provide strategic counsel on executive messaging and institutional positioning.
• Collaborate with Marketing, Creative Services, leadership, and campus partners to strengthen visibility.

Skills

Writing

Editing

Strategic planning

Relationship building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism, marketing, or related field

Master’s degree in a related field

Job description

Executive Director, Strategic Communications

Working Title Executive Director, Strategic Communications

Position Designation

Position Designation EHRA Non-Faculty

Employment Type

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

FLSA Status Exempt

Work Location

Work Location SAC

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.

• 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.

9201 University City BlvdCharlotte, NC 28223