Head of Communications

Austin, TX 78705
Posted on  

Job Description

The Head of Communications is a critical leadership role responsible for defining and executing communication strategies that amplify UATX’s mission, vision, and initiatives. The Head of Communications will lead all internal and external communications efforts and oversee media relations. This is not purely a management position. It is a leadership position that provides creative and strategic direction to all of UATX’s public-facing efforts.

This is a hybrid role that will allow remote work on Wednesdays.

Duties

  • Brand Strategy: Understand the University's story and develop the language to tell it across legacy, new, and social media. Provide creative and strategic direction for the production of compelling content across various media (video, photography, written materials, podcast, etc.) and across channels, including website, Substack, social media, and more.
  • Audience Engagement: Develop and implement communication strategies to engage key audiences, including students, parents, faculty, donors, senior leadership, and UATX board members.
  • Media Relations: Build and maintain strong relationships with local, national, and education-specific media. Occasionally act as the spokesperson for the organization. Manage crisis communications and public relations issues, offering immediate and accurate information and advice to leadership.
  • Internal Communications: Manage and streamline internal communications to ensure that staff are aligned with the organization’s mission and objectives.
  • Strategic Planning: Develop and implement an integrated communications and marketing strategy that supports organizational goals, both short-term and long-term.
  • Budget Management: Manage the communications budget, ensuring effective use of resources.
  • Team Leadership: Oversee a small, lean team. Provide coaching, direction, and performance assessments.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Demonstrated experience steering an organizational brand and identity.
  • Savvy regarding traditional and social media, with the ability to create and lead productive relationships with reporters, editors, and public intellectuals.
  • Deep knowledge of and experience with running successful, national, multi-platform, media and marketing campaigns.
  • Senior-level experience successfully building and managing a team.
  • Ability to adapt, be nimble and creative, and to thrive in a fast-growing organization.
  • Experience with a broad range of media—print, broadcast, and digital.
  • Exceptional writing, oral communications, and editing skills.
EEO / AA STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
UATX does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.

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