Strategic Communications Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation assistance

Hybrid work modality

Job summary

University of Colorado Boulder is seeking a Strategic Communications Manager to lead earned media strategy and PR campaigns for the College of Engineering & Applied Science (CEAS). The role partners with the university’s Office of Strategic Relations & Communications to mine for compelling news and elevate visibility of faculty research.

The position supports crisis communications, helps craft executive messages, and ensures timely responses to urgent matters, reporting to the Senior Director

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Plan annual strategic communications with college leadership and the SRC.
• Lead publication strategy and nurture relationships with journalists.
• Develop press releases, media advisories, and materials.
• Coordinate crisis communications in collaboration with university teams.
• Collaborate with videographers and social media teams on multimedia assets.
• Track success metrics including media mentions and website traffic.

Skills

News Writing

Media Relations

Crisis Communications

Strategic Communications

Project Management

Public Relations

Journalism

Social Media

Education

Bachelor's degree in journalism, marketing, communications, or public relations

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 highimpact opportunities and guides story development within thecollege’s team of unit communicators.
• Act as primary point of contact between SRC and the Engineeringcommunications team; represent the college in the weekly campusnews meeting and pitch college stories for broader coverage ormedia engagement.
• Secure academic experts for incoming news requests and helparrange interviews and press conferences.
• Develop press releases, media advisories, and othermaterials.
• Collaborate with the SRC to monitor media coverage and identifypotential PR opportunities.
• Collaborate with campus media relations on CORA requestsrelated to the college.
• Connect faculty to campus-provided media training and supportthe creation of a speaker’s bureau for the college.

Executive Communications

• Elevate the key pillars of the CEAS strategic plan and increaseour story output in these areas.
• Partner with college leadership to develop and implementtracking and reporting plans to communicate college-wide progressagainst the strategic plan.
• Develop written content for materials ranging from emails,articles, websites, brochures, proposals that support the Dean’spriority initiatives.
• Write, review, edit and distribute messages from the Dean andsenior staff. Draft speeches, quotes, and other materials asneeded.
• Manage elements of events, such as preparing materialsforall-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 thecollege with high profile audiences, ensuring they meet our qualityand messaging standards.

Crisis Communications

• Collaborate with Sr. Director CEAS Marcom to develop andimplement a crisis response and communication plan forcollege-level issues.
• Serve as a key member of the university's crisis communicationteam and coordinate with CU Boulder university spokespersons.
• Keeping the college community appropriately informed and draftcommunications 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 ofcurrent marketing and communications trends and bestpractices.
• 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 ofForbes' 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.

What We Require

• 3 years of professional experience that may include journalism,communications, public relations, or mass communications; andpreferably with experience in science and technologyjournalism.
• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, marketing, communications, orpublic relations.
• Experience writing news articles, press releases, and executivecommunications.
• 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 produceclear, concise, engaging and original copy.
• Good comfort level understanding and working with technicalinformation.
• Knowledge of social media platforms such as Facebook, X,Reddit, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube; understanding of theutility in integrated communications plans.
• Strong interpersonal, collaboration and communications skillsto work effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Robust organizational, prioritization and time-managementskills.
• Capable of working independently under pressure and managingmultiple priorities simultaneously to meet deadlines.
• Ability to work from an on-campus office as well asremotely.
• Comfortable with project management software such asAsana.

What We Would Like You to Have

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