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GENERAL PURPOSE:

Reporting to the Associate Vice President for Communications and Strategy, the Strategic Communications Integration Assistant Director plays a pivotal role in University Marketing and Communications by developing and executing integrated communication strategies that promote enterprise-level initiatives and strategic priorities for the institution that directly impact its local, national, and global reputation.This is a new position in the department that prioritizes connections and collaborations across the University’s academic and administrative units as well as with key external partners.

This position develops practices, structures, and tools to facilitate collaboration and helps clarify roles in communications governance and resource sharing. The position contributes to enhancing the University's reputation and brand awareness by strengthening the University's sense of community and shared purpose, and amplifying its impact through compelling and cohesive storytelling.

This role requires the ability to understand complex challenges and develop communications that meet the needs of a range of diverse constituents.

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Senior-Level Stakeholder Engagement

• Builds and maintains strong relationships with key stakeholder leaders and communications partners across administrative offices, schools, the medical center, laboratory for laser engergetics, and research centers.

• Forms and manages cross-functional strategic work groups composed of representatives from different departments and constituencies to exchange insights, feedback, and content ideas.

• Understands key stakeholder communication needs and priorities, and maps those against institutional priorities central to elevating the University’s reputation and brand. Establishes clear objectives and outcomes for engagements. Ensures effective communication strategies that showcase stakeholder achievements, perspectives, and contributions to the university community in this broader context.

• Gathers subject matter expertise, ensures content aligns with school/unit goals, and helps coordinate placement of content on University and external channels as appropriate.

Strategic Communications Planning and Project Management

• Leads development and execution of cross-unit strategic communication plans tailored to enterprise projects – ex. strategic planning, branding, the University’s 175 th anniversary— including channel and messaging strategies.(10%)

• Leads collaborations and initiatives by identifying common themes and opportunities for integrating various strategic priorities into compelling content narratives. Works closely with representatives from various schools, academic departments, and administrative units to identify and support these projects. (15%)

• Identifies and recommends collaborative tools and platforms—shared calendar, project management software, shared document repositories, communication apps, etc.—to facilitate communication and content sharing among teams. (5%)

• Develops practices, policies, and structures to facilitate collaboration and clarify roles in communications governance and resource sharing. (5%)

• Monitors and evaluates the effectiveness of interdisciplinary communication efforts using analytics tools, providing insights for improvement. (5%)

Content Development

Develops content for print and digital channels that highlights interdisciplinary achievements, research, and initiatives, ensuring alignment with university messaging and branding. Meets with department leaders and directs the work of communications specialists in support of goals.

• Leads cross-unit communication by developing materials that inform and engage staff, faculty, students, alumni, and external stakeholders about interdisciplinary opportunities and achievements.

• Collaborates with organizers from different units to promote interdisciplinary initiatives effectively. Collaborates with business partners to ensure consistent messaging and communication alignment across the university.

• Works closely with the university's branding and creative strategy teams to ensure that all collaborative efforts adhere to the established brand guidelines, messaging strategies, and visual identity.

• Sets priorities and performance goals for direct reports, evaluates work and provides feedback and direction.

Knowledge Sharing and Professional Development

• Fosters a culture of knowledge sharing by organizing workshops, training sessions, and content strategy forums to empower university communications professionals and business partners to contribute to content creation and dissemination.

• Working with senior marketing and commumications partners across the institution, assesses needs for skill development among marketing and communications professionals, identifies topics and themes, and develops a curriculum.

• Champions a culture of innovation and creativity for the University’s marketing and communications professionals.

Issues management

• Proactively identifies potential issues and assists in developing and implementing crisis communication plans to manage and mitigate challenges effectively.

• Working with the executive communications and public relations teams, supports issues management and crisis communications response requiring 24/7 attention.

Media Relations and Community Engagement

• As needed, works with the public relations team to coordinate media interviews and prepare partners—faculty, staff, students—for media interactions.

• Extends collaboration efforts to external partners, community organizations, and stakeholders. Collaborates with the Office of Government and Community Relations, the Office of Community Impact, and other related departments. Leverages these connections to create content that demonstrates the University's commitment to community engagement and positive societal impact.

Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing or related discipline required.

• Masters in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing or related discipline preferred.

• 7 years of relevant experience required.

• 3 years of supervisory experience preferred.

• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience required.

• Experience developing and managing a broad, complex communications program for an organization preferred.

• Experience working in higher education preferred.

• Proven strategic planning skills required.

• Outstanding communication skills, including sound judgment and excellent interpersonal skills required.

• Ability to manage and direct projects across a large, highly matrixed, and decentralized organization required.

• Demonstrated ability to manage significant administrative projects and design and implement new programs required.

• Extraordinary ability to deal with multiple, competing priorities with minimal supervision required.

• Ability to analyze, condense, and synthesize information and ability to provide accurate analysis and summaries required.

• Ability to diplomatically overcome objections and effectively persuade key constituents required.

• A personal belief in mission, goals, and objectives of higher education required.

The University of Rochester is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion to advance the University’s mission to Learn, Discover, Heal, Create – and Make the World Ever Better. In support of our values and those of our society, the University is committed to not discriminating on the basis of age, color, disability, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, military/veteran status, national origin, race, religion/creed, sex, sexual orientation, citizenship status, or any other status protected by law. This commitment extends to the administration of our policies, admissions, employment, access, and recruitment of candidates from underrepresented populations, veterans, and persons with disabilities consistent with these values and government contractor Affirmative Action obligations.

How To Apply

All applicants must apply online.

EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled

Pay Range

Pay Range: $75,650 - $113,464 Annually

The referenced pay range represents the minimum and maximum compensation for this job. Individual annual salaries/hourly rates will be set within the job’s compensation range, and will be determined by considering factors including, but not limited to, market data, education, experience, qualifications, expertise of the individual, and internal equity considerations.

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Location: Central Administration
Full/Part Time: Full-Time
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