Senior Director for University Communications

SPU Seattle Pacific University; United States; On-site; USD 117,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare coverage

Tuition benefits for employees and/or

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Seattle Pacific University seeks a Senior Director of University Communications to lead institutional branding, digital marketing, website strategy, social media, media relations, publications, design, photography, videography, and executive communications.

The ideal candidate is a visionary leader and exceptional writer who translates priorities into compelling messages and coordinated strategies engaging diverse audiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, business, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, public relations, or related field, including 3+ years supervising staff.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing strategic communications and marketing initiatives, preferably in higher education or a complex organization.
• Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, and verbal communication skills with AP style proficiency.
• Strong leadership with success building and managing collaborative teams.
• Experience overseeing digital marketing, website content, social media, and integrated campaigns.
• Ability to translate priorities and insights into compelling messaging, actionable strategies, and measurable outcomes.
• Strong project management, organizational, and budget management skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead university-wide communications and marketing strategies to advance institutional priorities and engagement.
• Advise university leadership on executive messaging, media relations, and crisis communications.
• Guide storytelling, messaging, editorial standards, and content across digital, print, and multimedia platforms.
• Write, edit, and develop communications reflecting SPU's mission, values, and educational experience.
• Direct the website and digital communications strategy for engaging user experiences and integrated ads.
• Oversee social media, photography, videography, and digital content strategies to boost visibility.
• Partner with Admissions to develop integrated marketing strategies supporting enrollment goals.
• Use analytics and audience insights to evaluate effectiveness and improve marketing outcomes.
• Mentor and develop an eight-person team across marketing, web, design, multimedia, writing, and publications.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Executive messaging

Writing & storytelling

Media relations

Editorial standards

Analytics & outcomes

Collaboration across departments

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications/marketing/public relations or related field

Master's degree in communications/marketing or related field

Tools

Sitecore

WordPress

Slate CRM

Workday

AI-powered marketing tools

Job description

Founded in 1891, Seattle Pacific University has a long and distinguished history in Christian higher education. Located just minutes from downtown Seattle, SPU seeks to be a premier Christian university fully committed to engaging the culture and changing the world by graduating people of competence and character, becoming people of wisdom, and modeling grace-filled community.

University Communications plays a vital role in telling SPU's story, strengthening its institutional identity, and connecting prospective students, families, alumni, donors, and the broader community with the University's distinctive mission and educational experience.

What We Need

Seattle Pacific University is seeking an accomplished, strategic, and creative Senior Director of University Communications to lead institutional marketing and communications efforts that strengthen the SPU brand, support enrollment and advancement priorities, and elevate the University's visibility and reputation.

Leading a talented eight-member University Communications team, the Senior Director oversees a broad portfolio that includes institutional branding, digital marketing, website strategy, social media, media relations, publications, design, photography, videography, and executive communications.

This position serves as a trusted communications partner to University leadership, translating institutional priorities into compelling messages and coordinated strategies that engage key audiences.

The ideal candidate is both a visionary leader and a skilled communications practitioner—an exceptional writer and storyteller who brings strategic insight, creativity, sound judgment, and a collaborative approach to their work. They thrive in a dynamic environment, build strong relationships across departments, and are committed to delivering measurable results.

The Senior Director of University Communications supports Seattle Pacific University's mission by contributing to a Christ-centered learning and working community committed to academic excellence, service, and engagement with the world. In this role, the employee brings their skills, gifts, and professional expertise to work that matters—serving students, colleagues, and the broader University community in ways that reflect SPU's values and purpose.

To that end, all University employees are required to be aligned with and supportive of SPU's Statement of Faith and its derivative policies and lifestyle expectations.

What You'll Do

Strategic Communications & Brand Leadership

Lead University-wide communications and marketing strategies that advance institutional priorities, strengthen SPU's brand, and engage internal and external audiences.

Serve as a strategic communications advisor to University leadership, including the President's Cabinet and Office of the President, on executive messaging, media relations, and crisis communications.

Guide institutional storytelling, messaging, editorial standards, and content development across digital, print, and multimedia platforms.

Write, edit, and develop compelling communications that reflect SPU's distinctive mission, values, and educational experience.

Digital Marketing & Enrollment Communications

Direct the University's website and digital communications strategy, ensuring an engaging user experience, consistent messaging, and effective integration with digital advertising.

Oversee social media, photography, videography, and digital content strategies that strengthen audience engagement and institutional visibility.

Partner closely with Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions to develop integrated marketing and communications strategies that support enrollment goals.

Use analytics, audience insights, and performance measures to evaluate effectiveness and continuously improve marketing outcomes.

Team Leadership & University Partnerships

Lead, mentor, and develop an eight-member communications team responsible for marketing, web, design, multimedia, writing, publications, and media relations.

Collaborate with University Advancement to develop alumni and parent communications, fundraising appeals, case statements, and other materials that inspire engagement and philanthropic support.

Build productive relationships with faculty, staff, and campus leaders to ensure coordinated communications and excellent service to University partners.

Operations & Project Management

Oversee communications projects, production schedules, and workflows to ensure quality, timeliness, and alignment with institutional priorities.

Manage the departmental budget, including forecasting, expense oversight, and responsible allocation of resources.

Direct relationships with external vendors, agencies, and partners supporting the University's marketing, advertising, and communications initiatives.

What You Bring

• Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, business, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field, including at least three years of supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated success developing and executing strategic communications and marketing initiatives, preferably in higher education or a similarly complex organization.
• Exceptional writing, editing, storytelling, and verbal communication skills, including proficiency with AP style.
• Strong leadership skills with demonstrated success building, mentoring, and managing collaborative, high-performing teams.
• Experience overseeing digital marketing, website content, social media, and integrated communications campaigns.
• Ability to translate institutional priorities and audience insights into compelling messaging, actionable strategies, and measurable outcomes.
• Strong project management, organizational, and budget management skills, with the ability to balance multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Familiarity with content management systems, CRM platforms, digital analytics tools, and emerging AI applications for marketing and communications.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, sound judgment, and the ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders and stakeholders across an organization.

Mission Alignment

A personal commitment to the Christian faith and affirmation of SPU's Statement of Faith; enthusiasm for supporting the University's Christian mission; and willingness to uphold the policies and lifestyle expectations of SPU's Christian community.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in communications, marketing, business, or a related field.
• Experience in Christian higher education or another faith-based organization, particularly one integrating Christian faith and learning.
• Degree from a college or university that integrates Christian faith and learning such as a Council for Christian Colleges & Universities member institution.
• Experience supporting enrollment marketing, advancement communications, executive communications, or institutional crisis communications.
• Advanced experience in one or more specialized areas, including digital media, web strategy, photography, videography, or social media marketing.
• Experience with Sitecore, WordPress, Jira, Slate CRM, Workday, or AI-powered communications tools.

Compensation & Position Details

Salary: Anticipated hiring range $117,000 - $119,000, compensation commensurate with experience.

Status: Full-time, exempt

Department: University Communications

Location: Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, WA

Benefits: SPU offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support employees and their families. Benefits currently include healthcare coverage, retirement benefits, health savings account contributions for eligible employees, tuition benefits for employees and qualified dependents, and other programs that support employee well-being and professional success. Benefit plans and eligibility are subject to change and will be provided at the time of hire.

Additional Information

Seattle Pacific University provides reasonable accommodation to applicants. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any portion of the application or hiring process please contact the Human Resources Department at [phone], or email [e-mail]. Notification must be given at least five (5) working days before the accommodation is needed.

We look forward to hearing how your leadership, creativity, communications expertise, and commitment to SPU's Christian mission can help tell the University's story and strengthen its impact!

Founded in 1891, Seattle Pacific University has a long and distinguished history in Christian higher education. Located just minutes from downtown Seattle, SPU seeks to be a premier Christian University fully committed to engaging the culture and changing the world by graduating people of competence and character, becoming people of wisdom, and modeling grace-filled community.

Seattle Pacific University seeks applicants committed to its Christian mission. As part of our mission of cultural engagement, SPU is committed to building an excellent staff and faculty that reflects a broad range of talents, experiences and perspectives. Valuing the full array of God's created humanity is an ethos that is inseparable from our Christian faith. At SPU, we recognize this full human array as a basic feature of God's creation and a core theme of the gospel. At the heart of our mission-centered commitment is a desire to represent the breadth of God's kingdom more fully. We strive to become a workplace to recruit, develop, and retain faculty and staff who can embrace, value, and engage differences with humility and care. We invite you to join us on our journey by starting a career at SPU!