Marketing & Communications Lead (Houston, TX)

The University of Texas System; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The University Lands unit at The University of Texas System seeks a senior marketing and communications professional to lead complex, high-visibility initiatives. You will manage content, branding, and publications, working with leadership and subject-matter experts to convey activities and priorities clearly.

Reporting to the Marketing and Communications Manager, you will guide design and communications across diverse audiences, including government partners, industry and the public.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of five years in graphic design, communication, or marketing.
• Additional year of experience may substitute for college per policy.

Responsibilities

• Lead development, writing, editing, and production of complex communications across digital and print channels.
• Oversee branding, design, and visual identity across publications and websites.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams and external vendors to meet timelines and quality standards.
• Translate technical information into clear, audience-appropriate content for diverse stakeholders.
• Mentor colleagues in design and communications best practices.

Skills

Excellent communication

Advanced design software

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree

Five years of experience in graphic design, communication, or marketing

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Photoshop

InDesign

Illustrator

Job description

Required Application Materials

A resume is required to apply. Candidates under final consideration will also be required to submit professional references, college degree information, and employment history to an online third-party vendor.

FLSA Status

Exempt

Earliest Start Date

Immediately

Salary

Salary commensurate with experience

Hours per Week

40 hours weekly

Hiring Department

University Lands

Required Application Materials

A resume is required to apply. Candidates under final consideration will also be required to submit professional references, college degree information, and employment history to an online third-party vendor.

About Us

For more than 140 years, The University of Texas System has improved the lives of Texans - and people all over the world - through education, health care, and research. The System consists of nine academic institutions, four health institutions, and The University of Texas System Administration. The institutions of the UT System employ more than 160,000 faculty, health care professionals, researchers, support staff, and student workers.

The UT System Administration is primarily based in Austin, Texas. It supports the missions of the System’s thirteen institutions by providing financial, legal, planning, purchasing, government relations, communications, development, and other central services. Serving a growing state, the UT System Administration strives to provide a welcoming, supportive work environment that embraces different perspectives - not only because it enables the organization to be stronger, creative, and thoughtful, but because it is the right thing to do. To that end, UT System Administration embraces state laws on military and former foster children employment preferences.

Purpose of Position

This position serves as a lead-level marketing and communications professional for University Lands, providing advanced expertise in content development, branding, design, and communications. Reporting to the Marketing and Communications Manager, the position independently executes complex and high-visibility communications initiatives, provides guidance on communications and brand standards, and leads projects requiring significant coordination across departments and external partners.

Given University Lands unique role in the energy industry and public sector, the position develops communications for diverse audiences, including the general public, government representatives and agencies, boards of directors, UT System and Texas A&M University System stakeholders, industry partners, and University Lands lessees.

Essential Functions

• Lead the development, writing, editing, and production of complex and high-profile communications across digital and print channels, ensuring alignment with organizational messaging, style, and brand standards.
• Lead content development for major publications and presentations, including the University Lands annual report, working with leadership, department heads, and subject matter experts to synthesize complex information and effectively communicate key activities, accomplishments, and priorities.
• Apply advanced expertise in branding and design to develop and review websites, LinkedIn content, presentations, publications, digital displays, promotional materials, and other communications. Promote consistent application of established brand and communications guidelines.
• Execute communications initiatives for diverse external audiences, including industry and government stakeholders, the general public, institutions, and lessees.
• Support communications for conferences, trade shows, events, and other outreach activities.
• Partner with leadership and subject matter experts to develop, edit, and refine executive, business, technical, and industry communications, translating complex information into clear and engaging content appropriate for the intended audience.
• Independently lead complex communications and creative projects within established strategies and priorities, coordinating cross-functional contributors, external vendors, production activities, timelines, and deliverables.
• Serve as a resource for communications, branding, design, and content development, providing guidance and recommendations to colleagues and stakeholders and reviewing materials for quality, consistency, and effectiveness.
• Maintain advanced knowledge of communications practices, industry trends, audience needs, technology, and emerging tools and recommend opportunities to improve the quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of University Lands communications.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Excellent communication skills
• Advanced skills in design software including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator)
• Skill in designing digital communication assets, as well as laying out and preparing complex publications for print production and overseeing the production process
• Ability to train and mentor other professionals with less extensive design and communications experience
• Ability to handle multiple projects while working in a team environment

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Five years of experience in graphic design, communication, or marketing
• Each additional year of experience over the required minimum may substitute for one year of college (30 semester hours) on a year-for-year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Seven or more years of professional experience which includes graphic design, web design, supervision of full cycle design and publication for both digital and print assets, training or mentorship of colleagues, and working with branding and strategic communications.

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office conditions
• Uses standard office equipment
• Requires occasional evening or weekend hours

Additional Information

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to a minimum of 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. Participation in TRS is mandatory.

A background check will be conducted on candidates under final consideration. The background check may include any or all of the following: criminal history check, prior employment verification, education verification, professional references check, and motor vehicle records check. Background checks are conducted by third-party vendors. Upon request form the third-party vendor, candidates under final consideration must provide the required information for the background checks to be completed.

EO/AA Statement

The University of Texas System Administration is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all qualified applicants and employees in all terms and conditions of employment. U. T. System will provide equal employment opportunity to all qualified persons and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, pregnancy, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal or state laws.

For information on accommodations for individuals with disabilities, please contact the Office of Talent and Innovation at [e-mail].