Summary
Description
The Strategic Relations and Communications Department at CU Boulder invites applications for a Senior Director of Chancellor Communications! This position is responsible for strategic communications for the chancellor at the University of Colorado Boulder.
This role supports the communications and other goals laid out by the Chancellor. The person in this role is responsible for advising the Chancellor and his leadership team on communications issues and coordinating communications from Strategic Relations and Communications (SRC), Athletics, Advancement, Alumni Relations, Chancellor Events, and the Chancellor’s staff as they pertain to the Chancellor. He/She/They report(s) to the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor of Public Affairs and Strategic Communications.
The position also develops and implements the executive communications plan for the Chancellor, including being responsible for social media strategy, crafting speeches, talking points, op-eds, and other related communications materials for the principal. Additionally, they are responsible for developing and delivering critical communications in coordination with various campus partners, including but not limited to the Office of the Provost, the Senior Vice Chancellor for Operations, the Senior Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives, and other campus units.
The Senior Director of Chancellor Communications advises the Senior Associate Vice Chancellor of Public Affairs and Strategic Communications and Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications, regarding communications strategy, issues, and coordinating communications from the Chancellor’s office. The position reflects the goal of SRC and the Chancellor’s office to work collaboratively and seamlessly on all issues related to communication, internal, external, and marketing-related.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are As the university’s central marketing and communications team, Strategic Relations and Communications advances CU Boulder’s mission, vision, and reputation through an integrated communications approach supporting a campus-wide experience that inspires greater affinity and engagement.
Responsibilities What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be The Senior Director of Chancellor Communications consults with the Chancellor, Senior Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives, the Chancellor’s staff, the Chancellor’s events staff, and the SRC team to develop a communications strategy that can be driven collaboratively to:
- Enhance the overall reputation of CU Boulder in a consistent, coordinated, and organized manner.
- Enhance the exposure gained for the Chancellor’s successes.
- Develop and implement an executive communications plan for the Chancellor that promotes their strategic priorities and positions them as a trusted leader of the university.
- Develop and implement a strategy for internal and external communications which will:
- Enhance the Chancellor’s internal and external profile.
- Effectively engage and inform CU Boulder partners about institutionally related issues in a timely manner to build and increase a level of trust in the institution.
- Drive collegiality and a strong affinity with CU Boulder.
- Improve the culture and climate of the university to create an inclusive, welcoming and engagement- driven environment for everyone.
- Create a clear understanding among CU Boulder partners about the Chancellor’s goals and priorities and the Chancellor’s objectives within those goals.
This person will work with Advancement, Athletics, Alumni Relations and other campus units to ensure coordinated and timely communications to CU Boulder partners and external audiences while controlling the volume of messaging to ensure that messages drive understanding and action.
The Senior Director Works Closely With Other SRC Staff And Campus Units To Coordinate And Complete Various Communications Projects, Including But Not Limited To
- Chancellor and key executive leadership social media platforms.
- State of the Campus.
- Video messages (as appropriate).
- Op-eds.
- Annual holiday card.
- Board of Regents and System presentations.
- Keynote speeches.
- Commencement-related activities.
- Remarks for assorted donor/alumni/athletics/parent events.
- Other miscellaneous written deliverables, as assigned.
The Senior Director will be responsible for owned media coverage of regularly scheduled and special Board of Regents Meetings, including pre-meeting coordination with SRC staff, deliverables for the Chancellor and subsequent CUBT items, as necessary.
The Senior Director will supervise and manage two positions to ensure continuity of the Chancellor’s communications.
The Senior Director may serve, as needed with SRC staff, on issues management discussions/meetings/deliverables as they pertain to the Office of the Chancellor.
Other duties as assigned.
What We Can Offer The annual salary range for this position is $115,000-$135,000.
Benefits At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.
Be Statements Be ambitious. Be inspired. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- A Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, advertising/marketing.
- 6+ years of professional, job-related experience as a writer, editor, and/or marketing communications professional.
- A Bachelor's degree in liberal arts may be substituted for the areas above with supplemental professional experience of at least 7 years of professional work experience as a writer, editor, and/or a marketing communications professional, including 3+ years in a consultative/advisory and strategic role in a higher education environment
- Demonstrated experience in overseeing the development and dissemination of communications plans, including internal as well as external news releases and news packages, social media, talking points, and speeches for senior leadership, strategic and tactical communications plans.
- Demonstrated ability to achieve interested party “buy-in" by representing work product and strategies through presentations and trainings across all levels of a large organization.
- Demonstrated experience leading communications professionals – particularly coordinating them in a dispersed management environment where they do not report directly to you.
- Experience with strategic communications planning, project management, and the execution of strategic communications across multiple media (print, web, multimedia, advertising, events, social media, public relations).
What You Will Need
- Ability to think and write strategically while focusing on the stated mission, vision, values and goals of the campus.
- Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal skills that will allow the candidate to successfully interact with all university constituents.
- Ability to write for both the ear and eye.
- Strong research skills with a fluency in topical news and culture related to higher education issues and trends.
- Attention to detail and the ability to exercise good judgment.
- Awareness of political and constituent sensitivity regarding higher education issues.
- Ability to learn the Chancellor’s "voice" and conform to leadership's expectations for written style and content.
- Ability to accept and apply constructive feedback.
- Proven ability to develop and maintain excellent working relationships, especially with senior leadership and internal and external partners.
- Ability to navigate a complex organization and work with multiple constituents and partners, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, donors, public officials, and the broader public.
- Ability to meet target dates and generate a significant volume of content.
- Ability to research and distill complicated university initiatives and public policy issues.
- Skilled in the use of Microsoft Office Suite (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)
- Ability to generate and design basic graphics and collateral materials.
What We Would Like You To Have
- A Master's degree in journalism, mass communication, marketing & advertising, organizational communications, or a strongly related field
- 10+ years of experience in a senior communications management and/or spokesperson position for a higher education institution, K-12 metro school district, state or federal public agency, a non-profit organization, or a private sector firm.
Special Instructions To Apply, Please Submit The Following Materials
- A current resume.
- 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 May 13th, 2026 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Essential Services This position is designated “essential/critical services.” The incumbent is required to respond to requests for work during campus emergencies (snow, wind, rain, flood and any other natural or man-made event) and report to work for regularly assigned shifts during emergency campus closures.
