Student Communications Director

Stanford University School of Medicine; Palo Alto (CA); Hybrid; USD 118,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanford University seeks a collaborative, strategic Student Communications Director to support University Communications in developing communications and overseeing student-focused content. Working under the Senior Director, you will coordinate messaging for the four student units and ensure alignment with Stanford’s brand.

The role involves writing, media inquiries, liaising between University Communications and student-facing units, and contributing to integrated communications planning

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience.
• Experience in institutional or higher education communications.
• Experience with media relations and executive communications.
• Ability to write for multiple formats, channels and audiences.

Responsibilities

• Develop key messages and strategies for university audiences.
• Execute moderate-complexity communications including digital media.
• Collaborate with units to align plans with university outreach.
• Evaluate vendors and manage relationships for communications.
• Stay informed on industry standards and technology trends.

Skills

Institutional comms

Higher education comms

Media relations

Executive communications

Written communication

Integrated strategy

Content management

Email marketing

Collaboration

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Description

Main Work Location: Historic Stanford Campus

Schedule: Hybrid (at least 2 days per week on site)

Budgeted Salary Range: $118,000 to $142,000 per annum.

About University Communications

University Communications, part of the Office of External Relations, provides leadership and support for strategic communications programs that advance Stanford's mission. The office is responsible for brand positioning and strategy; issues and reputation management; crisis communications; digital content and top-level web and social media platforms; media relations and news services; executive communications; major publications; and video production. University Communications coordinates with communications professionals across the university and advises senior executive staff on communications strategy.

Position Summary

Stanford University seeks a collaborative, strategic, and creative Student Communications Director to support the work of University Communications in both developing communications and providing strategic oversight of communications for and about students. This role has a focus on institutional communications strategy in partnership with the programs and units across campus that directly support the student experience.

Under the direction of the Senior Director of Student Communications, the Student Communications Director will help manage, advise, and strategize on content related to the four primary student units - Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education, Vice Provost for Graduate Education, Residential & Dining Enterprises and Vice Provost for Student Affairs. This will include writing; supporting information gathering for media inquiries related to student units; and working with partners to ensure content is in alignment with institutional standards, messaging, and priorities.

The Student Communications Director will support integrated communications planning across student-facing units and university-wide initiatives through writing, editing, and consulting on the creation of compelling content across platforms that reflect Stanford’s voice and brand identity. In addition, this position will serve as a communications liaison between University Communications and student-facing units and collaborate with media relations staff to identify and develop story opportunities related to student programs and experiences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five years of progressively responsible experience in institutional, organizational, or higher education communications.
• Familiarity with student affairs, higher education administration, or student-facing program areas.
• Experience with media relations, including working with media relations professionals to develop story pitches and responding to press inquiries.
• Experience supporting executive or leadership communications.
• Demonstrated excellence in written and verbal communication, including the ability to write for multiple formats, channels, and audiences.
• Experience developing and executing integrated communications strategies.
• Proficiency with digital content management systems and email marketing platforms
• Excellent collaboration, partnership, and relationship management skills
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the development of key messages and strategies incorporating a university-wide perspective to communicate complex information to multiple audiences and constituencies, both internal and external.
• Execute communication strategies of moderate complexity which includes change management, issue management, digital media, etc., with knowledge of the university’s stakeholders and audiences.
• Contribute to devising and implementing creative and compelling ways to communicate the innovations, employee experience, academic excellence, and essential nature of the university.
• Collaborate with or within University Communications and school/unit/functional areas to ensure consistent and complementary strategic plans with overall university outreach and communications.
• Evaluate potential vendors’ quality, process, and cost and make recommendations for selection.
• Maintain knowledge by attending webinars, conferences, networking etc. to remain at the forefront of current industry standards, trends and technology.
• May participate in crisis communications and direct the university’s communications response if needed.
• May provide guidance on protocols and best practices to individuals responsible for communications in within school/units.

Minimum Education And Experience

Bachelor's degree and five years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Broad and deep understanding of the communications role in institutions.
• Experience communicating at all levels and for all audiences.
• Strong influencing, negotiating, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to earn credibility and influence opinion leaders
• Understanding of strategic communications principles.
• Capacity to write and synthesize complex materials and communicate highly technical or nuanced information in a manner easily understood.
• Ability to mentor, motivate, develop and train staff.
• Ability to guide cross-functions towards a common goal.
• Ability to discern a strategy to move forward and make or elevate decisions as appropriate.