Assistant Director of Communications

University of Colorado

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Assistant Director of Communications supports the CU Anschutz Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs (EVCASA)/Provost by developing and implementing communication, content development, and digital engagement strategies. This role contributes to the creation of compelling content, oversees digital platforms, and ensures consistent messaging aligned with divisional and campus priorities. The position requires strong collaboration across internal teams, creative problem solving, and strategic thinking to advance key initiatives. This role will work with Academic and Student Affairs leadership and campus partners to manage communications and marketing, provide executive communications support to the EVCASA/Provost and develop strategies to communicate vision and voice to multiple audiences, with a strong focus on internal communication to the campus community and staff within the Office of the EVCASA/Provost. The position oversees communication strategies for departments within EVCASA/Provost, including the Office of Academic Resources, Academic Affairs, Business Operations, Enrollment Operations, Faculty Affairs, Strauss Health Sciences Library, and Student Affairs, implementing outreach tactics that advance awareness of the office’s mission, vision, and role in supporting academic and student affairs. This role requires collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to enhance the visibility and impact of CU Anschutz Academic and Student Affairs; creating and editing content; planning and executing outreach strategies; and developing dynamic supporting materials across multiple channels, ensuring brand, voice, and campus standards are met. Responsibilities also include providing clarity and consistency across units and leading content gathering for communication pieces such as newsletters, web content, fliers, internal employee communication, and annual reports, while working collaboratively with the CU Anschutz Office of Communications.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in business, marketing, communications, public or media relations, journalism, or related field.
A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis.
6-8 years of experience in communications, writing, creating, and managing content using a content management system AND/OR creating and developing content campaigns and strategies.
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship. We are unable to provide work visa sponsorship or employment authorization for this position now or in the future.
Work effectively.
Demonstrated knowledge of various digital tools from email to utilizing website content management systems.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and reliable professional judgment, as well as collaboratively with a team to achieve desired results.
Ability to generate story ideas for newsletters and publications.
Excellent people skills and ability to build relationships across CU Anschutz.
Demonstrated knowledge of writing, editing, proofreading, and tenets of journalism, including AP style.
Ability to actively listen and share relevant information, anticipate problems and establish/maintain effective working relationships.
Maintain accurate, timely information.
Excellent written and oral communications skills.
Expert ability to work in a team environment, develop effective interpersonal relationships, provide respectful persistence when needed and provide superior customer service.
Ability to multitask, establish priorities, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Initiative-taker who can work both independently as well as in a team.
Proficiency and experience with Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

Experience with accessible web design and digital experiences.
Experience using CRM databases, CMS systems, or other web content management tools, and developing content for web.
Experience with social media campaigns.
Experience writing, editing, proofreading, and tenets of journalism, including AP style.
Experience working in an institution of higher education.
Experience with google analytics or analytics tools to track website performance.

Responsibilities

Meet regularly with units to support communication efforts and initiatives.
Write, edit, design, and manage content across newsletters, social media, presentations, and other communication channels.
Develop communication procedures, processes, and templates that support consistent, high-quality messaging.
Create content and oversee design for annual reports, year-end reports, and special project reports.
Produce articles, campus updates, and messaging that highlight key initiatives from assigned units.
Ensure all communications align with CU Anschutz branding, accessibility standards, and organizational voice.
Act as the central communication liaison between the unit and the Executive Vice Chancellor (EVC), ensuring all information, requests, and updates are properly consolidated, coordinated, and routed
Function as a liaison with the Office of Communications, school/college communications directors, and other partners to coordinate and amplify messages.
Assist EVC ASA units to identify and implement best practices regarding communications, strategies, and tools.
Promote unified content strategies through shared standards, best practices, and consistent style.
Provide executive communications support to the EVCASA/Provost.
Draft and coordinate speeches, presentations, talking points, internal messages, and executive updates.
Support major events including town halls, forums, leadership updates, and division wide meetings by managing messaging, promotional content, and supporting visuals.
Communicate divisional priorities, mission, vision, and updates clearly to internal audiences.
Promote the services, resources, and work of Academic & Student Affairs across the campus community.
Manage sensitive or high‑stakes communications, including crisis or rapid‑response messaging.
Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy that advances academic and student affairs priorities.
Manage and update website content, design, and structure for the Office of the EVCASA/Provost.
Guide use of social media platforms, create posts, and support online presence development to reach students, faculty, and staff effectively.
Attend select events to capture photos, updates, and posts for digital channels.
Monitor and analyze website and social media metrics, using data to guide content decisions.
Partner with central communications and IT for digital strategy, user experience, and audience management.
Manage Ecomm Program including planning, scheduling, and executing digital communications.
Collaborate with internal and external partners, including the Office of Communications, schools, colleges, and cross campus teams.
Align messaging, templates, and communication workflows across units to strengthen consistency.
Support staff engagement efforts, internal culture building communications, and dissemination.
Maintain processes to support media and communication needs across offices within EVCASA/Provost.
Coordinate and alignment of communication efforts across EVCASA/Provost units to ensure cohesive communication to campus audiences.
Attend campus communications meetings.
Collaborate with the Director of Finance and Administration to oversee budgeting, scheduling, vendor management, and resource allocation for all communications activities.
Collect and use customer feedback, focus group data, and analytics to refine communication tools and resources.
Track key communication metrics and share regular reports with leadership.
Assist units in developing training materials, such as instructional videos, presentations, and user guides.
Work with business offices to ensure communication distribution lists are regularly updated and maintained.