Strategic Communications Manager

University of Colorado System; Allenspark (CO); Hybrid; USD 82,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Relocation assistance

Job summary

The Strategic Communications Manager will lead earned media strategy and public relations campaigns for the CEAS at CU Boulder, in partnership with the university’s SRC. This media-forward position will mine the college for compelling news stories and elevate ideas to lead communicators and SRC staff.

The role reports to the Senior Director for Marketing and Communications. CU Boulder is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to a diverse, inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, communications, or public relations.
• 3 years of professional experience in journalism, communications, PR, or mass communications.
• Experience writing news articles, press releases, and executive communications.
• Experience with targeted publications and media relations.
• Familiarity with media relations and crisis communications.

Responsibilities

• Develop annual strategic communications planning in collaboration with college leadership and SRC.
• Lead niche publication strategy, cultivate journalist relationships and outlets.
• Attend weekly editorial meetings to align content with topics and research themes.
• Develop and implement PR strategies to raise awareness and enhance reputation.
• Plan, write, and edit news articles and PR materials.
• Identify compelling stories and translate complex research for broad audiences.
• Create strong news hooks and multimedia concepts for coverage.
• Collaborate with videographers/photographers/social teams for assets.
• Train faculty to pitch articles and boost placements with The Conversation.
• Write/edit content per AP style and university branding standards.
• Report success metrics like media mentions and website traffic.

Skills

Excellent writing

AP style

News sense

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism/communications

Tools

Asana

Job description

Job Summary

The Strategic Communications Manager will lead earned mediastrategy and public relations campaigns for the College ofEngineering & Applied Science (CEAS) at the University ofColorado Boulder, in partnership with the university’s Office ofStrategic Relations & Communications. This media-forwardposition will mine the college for compelling news stories; elevatestory ideas in a timely manner to the college’s lead communicatorsand SRC media relations staff; and research, write and supportmedia relations efforts designed to increase the visibility of keyfaculty research and expertise through niche publications with thegoal of improving the college’s reputation and rankings. This vitalrole will also support executive and college-level crisiscommunications by creating content for college leadership andensuring a timely and effective response to urgent matters. Thisposition reports to the Senior Director for Marketing andCommunications.

CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with allapplicable federal, state, and local laws governingnondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating aworkplace where all individuals are treated with respect anddignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds toapply, including protected veterans and individuals withdisabilities.

Who We Are

Founded in 1893, CEAS at CU Boulder is the second largest of sevenschools and colleges at one of the nation's top public researchinstitutions. As Colorado's flagship university, CU Boulder hasselective admissions standards and a comprehensive array ofundergraduate and graduate programs.

The college’s mission is to generate new knowledge in engineeringand related fields, and to equip students from a diverse set ofbackgrounds to become leaders and citizens responsible for thebetterment of individuals and society. Our vision is to be arecognized world leader for excellence and innovation inengineering research and education, with an emphasis on inclusiveexcellence, active learning and global society.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Strategic Communications

• Conduct annual strategic communications planning in concertwith the college leadership and the Office of Strategic Relationsand Communications (SRC).
• Lead niche publication strategy by cultivating and maintainingrelationships with journalists and targeted media outlets.
• Attend key weekly editorial meetings with the SRC to ensurecontent and strategic alignment around prioritized topics orresearch themes (E.g., Space, Quantum, Sustainability, Innovation& Entrepreneurship, Health, Climate) to minimize redundantefforts and maximize cumulative results.
• Develop and implement public relations strategies and campaignswhich raise awareness of the college and elevate its reputation andprofile as well as that of its departments and programs.
• Plan, write, and edit news articles, feature stories, and otherpublic relations materials that exemplify the college’s researchmission and reinforce its desired brand positioning.
• Identify and share stories of wide public interest for newspackaging by meeting with college experts to discuss the latestresearch efforts and by keeping abreast of emerging and trendingtopics in engineering.
• Break down complex research topics into engaging content thatanyone can understand.
• Develop strong news hooks, pitches and story ideas, includingmultimedia ideas, based on the current news cycle.
• Collaborate with college and campus videographers,photographers, and social media teams to generate multimedia assetpackages.
• Implement a strategy, including training and advising faculty,to pitch articles and boost placements in The Conversation.
• Write and edit content to ensure that it aligns with AssociatedPress Style, university external-relations style and universitybrand standards.
• Work with campus colleagues to regularly report on successmetrics such as First Bell and NAE mentions, media mentions, reach,impressions, reads on research stories, and website traffic.
• Contribute research stories for publication in the annualcampus research magazine, CU Engineering magazine and the collegealumni newsletter.

Media Relations

• Develop and manage an editorial calendar that seizes upon high-impact opportunities and guides story development within the college’s team of unit communicators.
• Act as primary point of contact between SRC and the Engineering communications team; represent the college in the weekly campus news meeting and pitch college stories for broader coverage or media engagement.
• Secure academic experts for incoming news requests and help arrange interviews and press conferences.
• Develop press releases, media advisories, and other materials.
• Collaborate with the SRC to monitor media coverage and identify potential PR opportunities.
• Collaborate with campus media relations on CORA requests related to the college.
• Connect faculty to campus‑provided media training and support the creation of a speaker’s bureau for the college.

Executive Communications

• Elevate the key pillars of the CEAS strategic plan and increase our story output in these areas.
• Partner with college leadership to develop and implement tracking and reporting plans to communicate college‑wide progress against the strategic plan.
• Develop written content for materials ranging from emails, articles, websites, brochures, proposals that support the Dean’s priority initiatives.
• Write, review, edit and distribute messages from the Dean and senior staff. Draft speeches, quotes, and other materials as needed.
• Manage elements of events, such as preparing materials for all‑college meetings, executive advisory boards, facility openings, speaker panels, showcases, or high‑profile campus visits.
• Review and revise materials which will be used to represent the college with high‑profile audiences, ensuring they meet our quality and messaging standards.

Crisis Communications

• Collaborate with Sr. Director CEAS Marcom to develop and implement a crisis response and communication plan for college-level issues.
• Serve as a key member of the university's crisis communication team and coordinate with CU Boulder university spokespersons.
• Keeping the college community appropriately informed and draft communications on behalf of the Dean when necessary.
• Respond to crises in a timely and effective manner.

Other

• Participate in weekly full team and project meetings.
• Pursue professional development opportunities to stay on top of current marketing and communications trends and best practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

What You Should Know

This position is eligible to work a hybrid work modality consistentwith the College of Engineering's Hybrid Work Policy .

What We Can Offer

Starting salary range is $82,000 - $92,000. Relocation assistanceis available within department guidelines.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder , we arecommitted to supporting the holistic health and well‑being of ouremployees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical,dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuitionassistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for localtransit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulderoffers an inspiring academic community and access to world-classoutdoor recreation. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of Forbes' America's BestLarge Employers , ranking #4 among large employers in Coloradoand #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks andprograms through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

We may request references at a later time.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, inany materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifyinginformation such as age, date of birth, or dates of schoolattendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redactingor removing this information.

What We Require

• 3 years of professional experience that may include journalism, communications, public relations, or mass communications; and preferably with experience in science and technologyjournalism.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, communications, or public relations.
• Experience writing news articles, press releases, and executive communications.
• Experience working proactively with targeted publications todiscover editorial opportunities.
• Familiarity with media relations and crisiscommunications.

What You Will Need

• Excellent writing skills and familiarity with AP style.
• Demonstrated news sense.
• Strong critical thinking skills and the ability to produce clear, concise, engaging and original copy.
• Good comfort level understanding and working with technical information.
• Knowledge of social media platforms such as Facebook, X, Reddit, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube; understanding of the utility in integrated communications plans.
• Strong interpersonal, collaboration and communications skills to work effectively with cross‑functional teams.
• Robust organizational, prioritization and time‑management skills.
• Capable of working independently under pressure and managing multiple priorities simultaneously to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work from an on‑campus office as well as remotely.
• Comfortable with project management software such as Asana.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Five or more years of professional experience that may include journalism, communications, public relations, marketing, or mass communications; and preferably with experience in science and technology journalism.
• Experience working in higher education, especially with engineers or engineering students.
• Experience writing or editing for a magazine or newspaper.
• Strong relationships with national science and tech and/or engineering journalists/publications.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic communications plans.