Strategic Communications Lead — University Reputation & Content

California State University; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 56,000 - 181,000; Full time

Job summary

San José State University seeks an Assistant Director of Strategic Communications to lead integrated communications and storytelling for the university's reputation. You will guide enterprise social media, oversee content strategy, and collaborate across campus while hands-on creating writing, photography, video, and multimedia content.

The role partners with campus leaders to advance institutional priorities, manage complex projects, and coordinate content calendars.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in strategic communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, digital communications, or a related field; including leading multifaceted projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop integrated strategic communications plans aligned with university priorities and presidential initiatives.
• Provide leadership and direction to the Social Media and Strategic Communications Manager.
• Guide development and execution of content, social media, and communications strategies to strengthen reputation.
• Advise campus leaders on messaging, storytelling, and audience engagement.
• Lead strategic content planning across print, digital, web, social media, and multimedia channels.
• Write, edit, and oversee high-profile communications including leadership messaging and major digital campaigns.
• Coordinate cross-functional projects with colleges and divisions and support the Social Media Manager.
• Support media relations with messaging and strategic plans.
• Serve on crisis communications team and manage digital responses during incidents.
• Establish workflows, content calendars, and quality standards for coordination of storytelling and digital engagement.
• Review major campaigns for strategic guidance and risk.
• Lead development of the university’s enterprise social media strategy.
• Create engaging social content including copy, photography, video, livestreams, and graphics.
• Analyze performance with analytics and translate insights into improvements.
• Identify emerging digital trends and propose new engagement approaches.
• Provide training and coaching for campus communicators.

Skills

Expert-level writing

Editing

Storytelling

Social media strategy

Content planning

Leadership

Project management

Analytics

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or related field

Five years of strategic communications experience

Tools

Google Analytics

Job description

San José State University seeks an Assistant Director of Strategic Communications to lead integrated communications and storytelling for the university's reputation. You will guide enterprise social media, oversee content strategy, and collaborate across campus while hands-on creating writing, photography, video, and multimedia content.

The role partners with campus leaders to advance institutional priorities, manage complex projects, and coordinate content calendars.