Interim Communications Manager

The University of Kansas; Lawrence (KS); On-site; USD 25,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Kansas in Lawrence, KS seeks a communications lead for the School of Pharmacy to guide strategic planning, content development, and accreditation communications. You will oversee public relations efforts, collaborate with faculty and leadership, and coordinate across web, print, and events, ensuring alignment with KU guidelines.

The role emphasizes managing digital content, external communications, and faculty/staff messaging while maintaining confidentiality and high ethical

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Mass Communications, Advertising, Marketing, English or related area and 3 years of related experience OR HS Diploma/GED with 7 years in related fields.
• Strong written communication skills as evidenced in application materials.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning – deployment and revisions of a strategic Communications Plan for the School of Pharmacy.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to implement communication strategies supporting the school’s goals.
• Lead accreditation-related communications for internal and external stakeholders.
• Advise faculty and staff on accreditation communications, media inquiries, and dissemination of research across channels.
• Manage web content, social media, publications, recruitment materials, and ads.
• Develop messaging engaging faculty, staff, students and community partners for the plan.
• Research methods to enhance the school’s visibility among prospective students and families.

Skills

Strong written communication

Verbal communication

Interpersonal skills

Photography

Layout/desktop publishing

Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/PowerPoin

Public relations

Media relations

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Mass Communications, Advertising, Marketing, English or related area

HS Diploma/GED with 7 years related experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Outlook

PowerPoint

Job description

Position Overview

Temporarily leads the communications and marketing activities for the School of Pharmacy, including, but not limited to: collection, preparation and dissemination of news about the School, website content and in executing the overall promotion and communications plan for the School of Pharmacy through the website, printed and electronic media, and School-sponsored events. This position implements and may need to temporarily revise the design the strategic communication plan with leadership the School’s. Works closely with the Dean and other KU leadership to oversee all other public relations efforts for the School.

Working in collaboration with School faculty, staff, students and alumni, this position works to promote academic and research projects carried out by faculty, students, and classes within the school. The position will support these stakeholder groups in an effort to deliver positive outcomes in recruitment, events, development and student services efforts. This position oversees and serves as the main point-of-contact for internal and external communication operations, brand management, and comprehensive production of marketing and recruitment collateral materials. This position will support communications and coordinate with public engagement-related activities and requires the utmost in confidentiality, discretion and high ethical standards.

This position is full-time, 8-5pm, Monday – Friday and will require an on-campus presence for collaboration. Occasionally it is anticipated that this position would need to be available for emerging situations outside of the traditional 8-5pm Monday-Friday schedule.

Job Description

Strategic Planning – 50%

• Responsible for deployment and temporary revisions of a strategic Communication Plan for the School of Pharmacy.
• Cross-collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to review and implement communication strategies that support the school’s communication goals
• Lead the planning, development, and execution of accreditation-related communications for internal and external stakeholders
• Advise faculty and staff on accreditation-related communications, media inquiries, and the dissemination of research and scholarly activities across multiple communication channels
• Manage all aspects of the plan including but not limited to, oversite and review of all web content, social media, publications, recruitment materials, advertisements and any other communications and marketing activities.
• Develop all messaging and engage faculty, staff, students and community partners as necessary to implement communication plan.
• Research and implement methods to enhance the school's visibility with a wide range of stake holders, including but not limited to prospective students, families, faculty, and current students.
• Work with the Dean to develop and implement an integrated strategic communications plan to advance the School’s brand and increase awareness of its programs, activities and mission.

Website and Written Communications – 35%

• Primary contact for all electronic and print content for the school.
• Develop and distribute external communications addressing accreditation matters for current and prospective students.
• Coordinates with school departments to facilitate sharing of departmental information via print, the web, and social media, ensuring adherence to KU guidelines.
• Assists Dean or his/her designee with preparation of speeches, internal/external communication, and presentations for School of Pharmacy events and activities.
• Develop a digital/social/mobile content strategy that will yield engagement-enhancing digital/social experiences for all audiences
• Responsible for keeping School of Pharmacy electronic bulletin boards updated with current and relevant information.

Other duties as assigned – 15%

• Develop and maintain a working knowledge of Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE) compliance, regulatory standards, and accreditation requirements.
• Any other tasks assigned by the Dean related to communications for the school such as scheduling photographers, designers, printers, taking photographs at school events for use in school publications, social media messages, assisting with coordination of alumni events, graduation ceremonies, etc.

Position Requirements

This will be a full-time (40 hours) temporary appointment through December 31, with the appointment reviewed on December 1 to assess if there is an ongoing business need.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, Communications, Mass Communications, Advertising, Marketing, English or related area and 3 years of related experience OR HS Diploma/GED and 7 years in related experience. Related experience could be any of the following areas: public relations, communications, marketing, advertising, news or related field, such as writing, editing; magazine, promotional or new production, public information; web or print media production.
• Strong written communication skills as evidenced in application materials.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellent verbal and interpersonal communication skills as evidenced by application materials.
• Experience concurrently managing multiple projects and deadlines as evidenced by application materials.
• Strong computer skills and proficiency with Microsoft Office, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Internet for writing, research, and correspondence as evidenced by application materials.
• Experience developing, reporting, and writing feature stories and news coverage for varying audiences as evidenced by application materials.
• Experience that required excellent organizational skills with experience managing multiple, detail-oriented projects simultaneously as evidenced by application materials.
• Experience with layout, design, and/or desktop publishing as evidenced by application materials.
• Experience with photography as evidenced by application materials.
• Experience writing and maintaining website content as evidenced by application materials.

Advertised Salary Range

Starting at $29.66/hr

Application Review Begins

Monday October 26, 2026

Anticipated Start Date

Monday November 9, 2026