Director, Strategic Communication and Content

Job Summary

The Director Strategic Communications and Content serves as the Howley College of Engineering and Computings lead communications strategist and chief storyteller. Reporting to the Executive Director Marketing and Communications this position develops and executes comprehensive communications strategies that enhance the Colleges reputation visibility and engagement among external and internal audiences.

The Director leads executive communications research communications faculty communications thought leadership initiatives internal communications media relations support and content strategy across multiple channels. Working closely with College leadership faculty researchers University Marketing & Communications (UMAC) Institutional Advancement and other stakeholders this role identifies and amplifies stories that demonstrate the impact of the Colleges teaching research innovation and engagement with employer partners and the community.

The Director serves as a strategic advisor to College leadership translating institutional priorities into compelling communications that strengthen the Colleges academic reputation support faculty visibility and elevate the Colleges standing among peer institutions industry partners alumni donors and the broader higher education community.

Essential Functions

• Strategic Communications & Reputation Management:
  • Partner with the Executive Director to develop and execute a comprehensive strategic communications plan aligned with College priorities and institutional goals.
  • Serve as the principal communications advisor to College leadership.
  • Develop messaging frameworks supporting major initiatives organizational priorities and reputation-building efforts.
  • Collaborate with UMAC to ensure alignment with University communications strategies and policies.
  • Support executive strategic and crisis communication efforts as needed.
  • Monitor emerging issues and opportunities affecting College reputation and visibility.
• Research & Faculty Communications:
  • Develop and implement a research communications strategy that elevates faculty scholarship innovation and research impact.
  • Promote faculty achievements major grants research breakthroughs industry partnerships and interdisciplinary initiatives.
  • Partner with faculty and researchers to translate complex technical subject matter into accessible and compelling communications.
  • Collaborate with media relations teams to identify earned media opportunities and position faculty as experts.
  • Develop thought-leadership initiatives that increase faculty and College visibility through articles op-eds speaking engagements videos podcasts and other platforms.
  • Support rankings prestige and reputation-building initiatives through strategic storytelling.
• Executive Communications & Internal Communications:
  • In collaboration with the Executive Director develop and produce executive communications for College leadership.
  • Draft speeches presentations talking points announcements leadership messages and strategic communications.
  • Develop internal communications strategies that support faculty and staff engagement.
  • Ensure consistent messaging and communication across the College and its three Schools.
• Content Strategy & Editorial Leadership:
  • Develop and maintain a College-wide editorial strategy and content calendar.
  • Plan and oversee the creation of feature stories news articles reports newsletters websites videos presentations and other communications materials.
  • Ensure consistency of voice messaging and quality across communication channels.
  • Maintain and expand a library of reusable content assets that support College priorities.
  • Revise and rewrite content as needed to appeal to specific audience segments.
• Team Leadership & Collaboration:
  • Supervise content development staff and coordinate communications projects.
  • Establish communications workflows and editorial standards.
  • Foster collaboration with academic departments advancement enrollment teams and University partners.
  • Manage freelancers agencies and vendors as assigned.
• Other Duties as Assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelors Degree in Communications Public Relations Journalism Marketing or related field orthe equivalent combination of education and work experience. (Please review the Equivalency Chart for additional information.)
• Minimum of 7 to 10 years of progressive professional experience in communications brand management or public relations.
• Leadership:
  • Minimum 3-5 years of experience managing direct report(s) responsible for creating content for digital and print.
• Institutional Adaptability:
  • Experience working within a complex decentralized organization.
• Crisis Management:
  • Demonstrated competence handling crisis communications issue mitigation and rapid-response messaging.
• Media Relations:
  • Track record of securing local national or trade media placements for technical scientific or academic innovations.
• Strategic Execution:
  • Experience developing and executing multi-channel data-driven communication plans across web social media print and video platforms.

Preferred Qualifications

• STEM and Research Literacy:
  • Experience translating complex engineering computing or scientific research into accessible narratives.
• Executive Communications:
  • Prior experience drafting messaging speeches and thought leadership pieces for academic officers or corporate executives.
• Advancement and Donor Relations:
  • Experience partnering with institutional advancement teams to craft compelling case statements fundraising appeals and donor impact stories.
• Industry and Employer Engagement:
  • Familiarity with marketing corporate-academic partnerships experiential education (co-op) models and workforce development initiatives.

Location

• University City - Philadelphia PA

Additional Information
This position is classified as Exempt grade M. Compensation for this grade ranges from$82920.00 - $124380.00 per year. Please note that the offered rate for thisposition will vary based on thesuccessful candidates qualifications and experience department budget and an internal equity review.

Applicants are encouraged to explore the Professional Staff salary structure and CompensationGuidelines & Policies for more details on Drexels compensation information about benefits please review Drexels Benefits Brochure.

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.