Director of Graduate School and ODECE Communications

Job Summary

The Division of Academic Affairs encourages applications for a Director of Graduate School and ODECE Communications! The purpose of this position is to strategically develop and manage the internal and external communications for the Graduate School and Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement (ODECE). The Director demonstrates an understanding of unit mission and values in addition to the current campus climate and uses that to craft messaging and engagement of internal and external audiences. The position is housed in the Office of the Provost, and reports to the senior director of academic communications, with dotted lines to the dean of the graduate school, the executive leader of ODECE, and works with the director of strategic communications for diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The Director of Graduate School and ODECE Communications is responsible for helping to conceive, craft, and edit/polish the key messages that emerge from the Graduate School and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Community Engagement (ODECE). These include: executive communications (thought pieces, speeches, remarks, op-eds, presentations) from, respectively, the dean of the Graduate School and vice provost for graduate affairs and the vice provost and associate vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion; written updates to the key audiences of each unit in the form of newsletters, e-memos or CUBT stories; web postings and web site copy supporting the work of each unit. The position oversees the CUBT Graduate Edition, working with the dean and assistant deans of the Graduate School and the senior director of academic communications to ensure timeliness and relevance of content. The position assists ODECE by overseeing its unit communicator to ensure that ODECE’s newsletters, web postings, and community-focused communications channels are used according to standard processes and that all deliverables are well-crafted and positioned to support ODECE’s strategic goals and leadership.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Provost's Office is the face of Academic Affairs, as such the work unit is oriented toward providing service that supports the institution's academic role and mission. The Division of Academic Affairs is led by the Provost and exists to nurture, foster and support the development of outstanding academic research and instructional programs on the University of Colorado Boulder campus to ensure our students are offered academic excellence in their undergraduate and graduate educations!

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Content and Message Planning, Management and Execution

• Ensure that all messages emanating from the Graduate School and ODECE to their relevant audiences are carefully crafted to move these audiences to understanding and action.
• Interact with Graduate School and ODECE leadership and the senior director of academic communications to cement themes and timelines of messaging.
• In partnership with Graduate School leadership and ODECE executive leaders in coordination with the campus DEI communications director, create, update, maintain and implement communications plans for the Graduate School and ODECE, identifying key audiences (based on sub-unit engagements/roles), key public moments for communication, and building a breakout of monthly communication activities for each unit.
• Craft, shape and apply the unit leader’s executive voice – employing a strong sense of language, understanding of the leader’s intent, audience expectations, and all inflection points to achieve both. Leverage elements of each unit’s strategic plan, communication plan, and other campus news into the executive’s messaging, consistent with each unit’s goals.
• Build and maintain collaborative communications networks and partnerships on and off campus.
• Create Advancement content in partnership with Graduate School advancement professionals.
• Serve as Strategic Relations and Communications (SRC) vertical comms lead, Reputation: Sustaining and Supporting Our Community by providing content in CU Boulder Today and the Graduate School’s monthly email to increase the awareness of the role and responsibilities of the Graduate School to graduate students and the campus community.
• Create feature stories and special content for the Graduate School and the academic centers and units it oversees, and for ODECE. Write stories in coordination with college, school, center and SRC communicators, coordinating with the director of DEI communications to pitch to media outlets for all ODECE/DEI related stories.
• Design and implement, in partnership with SRC digital engagement experts, social media and digital engagement strategies for each unit.
• Provide support to unit leaders for interactions with constituent groups (note-taking at meetings, talking points, ppt slides if needed).
• Oversee the graduate edition of CUBT (M-W-F).
• In partnership with unit leaders, create and distribute regular monthly e-mail announcements, communications about specific events, and other communications as requested by both organizations.
• Oversee ODECE’s marketing and communications specialist ensuring the day-to-day tactical work of communications is carried out in alignment with the goals of the provost, the senior vice chancellor for DEI, and ODECE’s executive leader.
• Develop branded promotional materials, in partnership with SRC marketing/branding experts.
• Other content planning, review and creation duties as assigned.

Project Management and Oversight

• Hands on responsibility for writing and editing content, creating infographics, overseeing print materials, and developing and designing the Graduate School website.
• Ensure that all communications assets (marketing materials, social media, stories, website content and more) are branded and connect to each other across platforms for both ODECE and the Graduate School.

What You Should Know

All University of Colorado Boulder employees are required to follow the campus COVID-19 vaccine requirement . New employees must provide proof of vaccination or receive a medical or religious exemption within 30 days of employment.

What We Can Offer

The annual salary range is $68,000- $90,000.

Benefits

The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits , including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder .

Be Statements
Be challenged. Be supportive. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• A bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, advertising/marketing or a liberal arts degree or equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
• 5 years of professional experience as a writer, editor or content creator in a higher education institution, government agency, or public-facing organization.

What You Will Need

• Outstanding written communications skills, including familiarity with or the ability to quickly learn AP style, and demonstrated versatility in crafting a variety of content: web content, basic news stories, feature stories, marketing collateral, and executive voice pieces.
• Outstanding editorial/communications planning, calendaring, and multi-tasking skills.
• The ability to match organizational goals to communications goals, strategy and tactics.
• The ability to work in a multi-cultural, ethnically diverse higher education environment with cultural competence and sensitivity.
• Superior patience, diplomacy and listening skills – working with leaders and in partnership with other communicators in an academic environment to craft content to move audiences to understanding and action, all within an aligned messaging platform and via communication plans.
• Possessing executive voice competence and sharp attention to written detail.

What We Would Like You To Have

• A master’s degree in journalism, mass communications, marketing and advertising, or a strongly related field.
• Five to seven years’ experience in a higher education, government agency, or public-facing organization in a lead communications content management role.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.

We may request references at a later time.

Please apply by October 10, 2022 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs .

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu