Senior Communications Specialist

CU Boulder; Boulder (CO); Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

CU Boulder’s Division of Natural Sciences seeks a Senior Communications Specialist to lead and coordinate strategic communications that showcase NSCI research, programs and achievements to external audiences. You will connect NSCI with college and university communications to support reputation and recruitment priorities.

The role requires 3+ years in journalism or PR, a bachelor's degree, and the ability to craft compelling stories across web, social media and email marketing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, PR, marketing or related field.
• 3+ years of professional experience in journalism, communications, public relations or marketing.
• Experience in higher education and science/ research contexts is a plus.
• Ability to develop integrated communications across channels.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the NSCI communications liaison coordinating priorities and stories.
• Advise leadership on messaging, audiences, and metrics.
• Develop and implement strategic communications plans for NSCI.
• Produce news articles, web copy, social posts and visuals.
• Collaborate with college and campus communications teams.
• Analyze reach and engagement; report to NSCI leadership.

Skills

Communication

Storytelling

Project management

Time management

Collaboration

Diversity advocacy

Education

Bachelor's Degree in journalism, communications, PR, marketing or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Content Management Systems

Email marketing platforms

Job description

Requisition Number: 73995

Location: Boulder, Colorado

City: Boulder

State: Colorado

Employment Type: University Staff

Schedule: Full-Time

Posting Close Date: 12-Aug-2026

Date Posted: 05-Aug-2026

Job Summary

The Division of Natural Sciences encourages applications for the Senior Communications Specialist position! This role supports the Division of Natural Sciences (NSCI) in the College of Arts and Sciences to develop, plan, lead, and coordinate strategic communications that highlight research, academic programs, student opportunities, and achievements for an external audience. As a member of the college communications team, this position serves as a critical connector between NSCI, college, and university communications partners to support the reputation, recruitment, and retention priorities of NSCI, especially as they relate to college strategic priorities and campus institutional priorities. This position reports to the assistant dean for communications.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder is the intellectual core of the university, conducting research, scholarship, creative work and education in more than 60 fields. Our research generates new knowledge, solving some of the world's most critical problems!

The college leads nationally in undergraduate and graduate education in the natural sciences, social sciences and arts and humanities, bringing world-class research and scholarship to our students, both in and out of the classroom.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Coordinate and Advance NSCI Communications

• Serve as the primary communications liaison for departments and programs to coordinate and advance NSCI communication priorities. Maintain partnerships with communicators in related institutes to coordinate stories and announcements, and to broaden reach.
• Serve as the communications expert advising department leadership, faculty and staff on communicating department strengths through compelling storytelling.
• Collaborate with department leadership and the college's director of editorial communications to find opportunities to increase NSCI visibility, media engagement and strategic promotion opportunities.
• Advise division and department leadership on defining objectives, messaging, audiences and metrics for diverse communications needs across the division.
• Advise departments on connecting communications with broader college priorities, campus institutional priorities and current events for greater amplification.
• Collaborate with college communications colleagues to advise departments on integrated marketing and communications strategies, content planning and standard processes across web, social media and other digital communications channels to advance NSCI.
• Facilitate external communications including requests for interviews, news releases and media requests for experts in partnership with college and campus communications. Partner with the university's Strategic Relations and Communications team to prepare faculty and staff for positive engagement with the media.
• Identify trends, opportunities and audience insights to inform communications planning and priorities.

Develop, Produce and Lead NSCI Communications

• Independently design, develop and implement strategic communications plans in collaboration with department, division and college communications leadership that address a complex array of situations, scopes and assignments.
• Produce news articles, web copy, social posts, multimedia and other content for publication across NSCI, college and campus channels.
• Provide project development and management to build out the division's critical communications infrastructure and strengthen the division's visual identity.
• Design products and processes that support departmental communications needs at scale.
• Work with internal and external partners to ensure messages reach the intended audiences (media, university leadership, partners and the public).
• Develop NSCI communications for distribution through the university email marketing platform.
• Identify, lead and contribute to college communications campaigns that originate in NSCI, such as new degrees, program name changes or new program launches.
• Create and curate compelling visuals for social media and websites within the college's Digital Asset Management system.

Other

• Regularly analyze and deliver market and audience insights and tracking to NSCI leadership on reach, digital engagement, and communications effectiveness.
• Support college communications initiatives and projects as assigned.
• Participate in professional development activities.
• May supervise student employees supporting communications and content development activities.

What You Should Know

The work schedule for this hybrid position is Monday-Friday, 8-5 p.m., with a minimum of 3 in-person days per week. May require more in-person days as needed.

What We Can Offer

The annual salary for this full-time position is $70,900 - $75,000. Onboarding assistance may be available.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communication, public relations, marketing or another relevant field.
• 3+ years of professional-level experience in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing or related field.
• A combination of relevant education, training and/or experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis.

What You Will Need

• Demonstrated commitment to promoting diverse and inclusive communications and communities.
• Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, political and geographical differences with the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff and students from around the world.
• Strong organizational, prioritization and time-management skills.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks, priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.
• Ability to adapt to changing situations and priorities.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a complex organizational environment.

What We Would Like You to Have

• 5+ years of professional-level experience in journalism, communications, public relations, or marketing.
• Experience working in a higher education environment.
• Experience writing and developing content related to research, science, or other technical subject matter.
• Demonstrated experience developing integrated strategic communications content across multiple platforms and audiences.
• Familiarity with email marketing and content management systems.
• Familiarity with social media platforms.
• Experience using Adobe Creative Suite and/or basic photography and multimedia tools.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and support a customer-focused communications environment