Posting Details

Posting Details

Job Title
Dir of College Engagement and Strat Comm

Requisition Number
RE55475

Working Title

Department Name
3R100:PR and Strategic Communications

Work Location
Lexington, KY

Grade Level
49

Salary Range
$73,861-121,888/year

Type of Position
Staff

Position Time Status
Full-Time

Required Education

BA

Click here for more information about equivalencies:
https://hr.uky.edu/employment/working-uk/equivalencies

Required Related Experience

7 yrs

Required License/Registration/Certification

None

Physical Requirements

Regular sitting at a computer workstation for extended periods of time; performing tasks with intermittent repetitive motion (such as typing); and occasionally standing or walking with objects weighing up to 10 pounds, as well as lifting, pushing, and/or pulling objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Shift

Monday-Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm

Job Summary

Lead Strategic Communications That Advance Institutional Priorities

The University of Kentucky is seeking a Director of College Engagement and Strategic Communication to provide strategic leadership for communications partnerships across the university's colleges and academic units.

This role serves as a key connector between college leadership and the Division of Marketing & Strategic Communication, helping align college-level communications with institutional priorities. The successful candidate will guide communication strategy, strengthen stakeholder partnerships, oversee communications teams, and ensure consistent, high-impact storytelling that advances the university's mission and reputation.

What You'll Do

• Lead communications strategies that support university priorities and college-specific goals
• Serve as a strategic advisor to deans, academic leaders, and campus stakeholders
• Develop and manage editorial planning processes that align communications efforts across colleges
• Ensure messaging, branding, and communication activities are consistent with university standards
• Evaluate communication effectiveness using audience insights, engagement metrics, and performance data
• Build and lead a collaborative communications team focused on high-quality service and strategic impact
• Develop processes and operating models that improve communication planning, coordination, and delivery
• Serve as a senior resource for complex stakeholder needs, issues management, and communications planning

What You'll Bring

• Experience leading strategic communications, marketing, or public relations initiatives
• Strong relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills
• Ability to develop and execute communication strategies in a large, complex organization
• Experience managing teams, budgets, projects, and organizational priorities
• Strong writing, editing, and message development capabilities
• Strategic thinking, sound judgment, and a collaborative leadership style
• Ability to analyze communication effectiveness and use data to drive continuous improvement

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• 7 years of related experience

What's In It for You

• Meaningful impact: Help shape how the university communicates its mission, priorities, and achievements
• Strategic leadership: Influence communications planning across multiple colleges and academic units
• Professional growth: Lead high-visibility initiatives in a dynamic higher education environment
• Hybrid flexibility: Opportunity for hybrid work arrangements with approval
• Collaborative environment: Partner with deans, university leadership, and communications professionals across campus
• UK's Exceptional Benefits

Why Now?
The university is continuing to strengthen alignment between academic units and enterprise communications efforts, creating an opportunity to build stronger partnerships, improve communication effectiveness, and enhance institutional visibility. As colleges work to advance ambitious goals related to education, research, healthcare, and community impact, cohesive communication strategies are more important than ever. In this role, you'll help create a unified approach to storytelling and stakeholder engagement while empowering colleges to communicate their unique strengths in ways that support the university's broader mission and long-term success.

Skills / Knowledge / Abilities

Microsoft 365, Asana

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities?
Yes

Preferred Education/Experience

Deadline to Apply
09/01/2026