Director of Strategic Communications Sr. Communications & Marketing OfficerS

Working/Functional Title

Director of Strategic Communications

Position Summary

Position Summary

Reporting to the Student Affairs Chief of Staff and serving as a member of the Student Affairs Leadership Team the Director of Strategic Communications for Student Affairs at Michigan State University serves as the principal communications strategist and advisor to the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) and Student Affairs senior leadership. This position is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive integrated communications and marketing strategies that advance the mission values and priorities of Student Affairs while supporting Michigan State Universitys broader institutional brand and strategic objectives.

This position leads and implements communications planning executive communications strategic storytelling public/media relations traditional and digital marketing strategy media production advertising social media and stakeholder engagement efforts that highlight the student experience foster a sense of belonging and strengthen the universitys reputation for excellence in student success wellness and inclusion. The position also is responsible for proactive issues management and coordination with University Communications and Marketing (UCAM) during high-profile or crisis events.

The position reports functionally and administratively to the Division of Student Affairs with a dotted line to University Communications and Marketing for the purposes of collaboration alignment and coordination.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning

Develop and implement Student Affairs communications and marketing strategy aligned with the universitys brand mission and 2030 strategic plan.

Serve as a senior advisor to the Vice President for Student Affairs on communications issues monitoring and response crisis communication coordination and reputational strategy.

Craft clear student-centered messaging that reflects MSUs values supports the student experience and reinforces a culture of care belonging and safety.

Provide counsel to Student Affairs units on messaging media relations and internal/external communications best practices.

Lead coordination to ensure consistent and cohesive messaging across Student Affairs departments and strong collaboration with units across campus engaged in communication supporting student experience and success

Identify sources of information and data to support strategies and use data and analytics to measure effectiveness of communications and marketing and inform continuous improvement.

Brand Alignment & Storytelling

Oversee development of content strategies that highlight the student experience including leadership wellbeing and engagement at MSU.

Conceptualize and help produce marketing materials and write and/or edit as needed to support development of these materials.

Implement communications and visual identity standards and protocols for Student Affairs in alignment with Student Affairs commitment to inclusion and belonging and the universitys Brand Standards.

Partner and coordinate with UCAM to leverage expertise and to access enterprise communications and marketing opportunities channels and tools.

Crisis & Issues Management

Serve as the Student Affairs lead for issues and crisis communications planning and response; coordinate with UCAM to understand issues affecting Student Affairs and work in coordination with UCAM and institutional emergency management teams as appropriate.

Contribute to the development of protocols for rapid response to sensitive issues affecting students and the campus community.

Anticipate emerging issues in student life and recommend proactive communications strategies.

Coordinate with UCAM to provide clear timely and transparent communication during crises or high-profile events.

Internal Communications & External Engagement

Lead efforts to improve communication across Student Affairs units and among staff.

Create and implement strategies for communicating priorities initiatives and accomplishments to internal student affairs audiences.

Support leadership messaging to promote transparency engagement and trust within Student Affairs.

Ensure communications are accessible inclusive and representative of MSUs diverse student community.

Serves as partner to the VPSA to produce executive communications (e.g. speeches scripts letters presentations) and partners with various units as appropriate.

Conducts appropriate background research to provide VPSA with context for remarks and presentations.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

Oversee the coordination of shared services marketing in partnership with Residential and Hospitality Services.

Supervise and mentor communications and marketing staff within Student Affairs

Ensure professional development to keep team current with developments in evolving marketing and communications best practice tools tactics and technologies

Build collaborative relationships with UCAM Provost Office Residential and Hospitality Services Academic units and other campus partners to support shared objectives.

Minimum Requirements

Knowledge equivalent to that which normally would be acquired by completing a four-year college degree program in Journalism Telecommunications Marketing Advertising Public Relations or Higher Education Administration; five to eight years of related and progressively more responsible or expansive work experience in communications including marketing public or media relations crisis communications management and strategic planning demonstrated leadership and project management skills; or experience in publication and digital media production video production advertising graphic design social media communications analytics and web design; exceptional writing editing interpersonal and verbal communication skills; management and supervisory experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Qualifications

Masters degree in communications higher education administration or related field.

Experience working within a large decentralized and matrixed environment; higher education experience is strongly preferred.

Familiarity with student affairs philosophy student engagement inclusion wellness and campus life.

Extensive experience identifying audience needs and using data and analytics to drive improvements in communications to meet audience needs and expectations.

Experience in the delivery of written visual and graphic content for communication to a diverse audience especially students.

Knowledge of best practices in digital communications detailed knowledge of a wide range of digital tools and tactics and demonstrated methods for staying current with changing technologies.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin citizenship age disability or protected veteran status.

Required Application Materials

Resume cover letter and three professional references.

Work Hours

8am-5pm Monday-Friday with some nights and weekends based on business needs.

Remote Work Statement

MSU strives to provide a flexible work environment and this position has been designated as remote-friendly. Remote-friendly means some or all of the duties can be performed remotely as mutually agreed upon.

Bidding eligibility ends January 6 2026 at 11:55 P.M.