Posting Details

Position Information:

Posting Number:
260061

Job Title:
Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications

Applicant Notification:

Lane Community College, a comprehensive community college in beautiful Eugene, Oregon, has begun the search for the Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications.

Search Information

• Lane uses a redacted application for screening Minimum Qualifications. Please complete the online application in its entirety. See our FAQs for more details.
• Provide all documents as requested.
• A resume may not take the place of any section of the application.
• Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Location:
Main Campus

Classification:
Management

Position Type:
Management

Anticipated Start Date:
Upon Hire

Salary/Wage:
Annual

Salary/Wage Range:
Starting Salary Range $123,643 - $144,645 Annual (Management Salary Grade 27)

Salary/Compensation Statement:

• The position's full salary range is $123,643 - $183,022. New employees cannot be placed higher than $144,645 (step 5 on the salary grade) due to internal equity. The application is used to determine the initial salary placement for selected candidates. All employment and education history will be considered.
• Our Management Benefits package includes a generous contribution toward medical, dental and vision insurance, long term disability as well as paid sick leave and vacation time.
• Lane Community College is considered a qualifying public employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, full-time employees working at the College may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan. Questions regarding your loan eligibility should be directed to your loan servicer or to the US Department of Education.
• You may also view our Management Working Agreement online.

Grant Statement:

Working Schedule:

• Full-time; Variable work hours based upon department needs; weekends, evenings and travel may be required.
• Generally Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.

FLSA:
Exempt

Position Status:
Permanent

Full/Part:
Full-Time

Annual Schedule:
260 Day (12 Month)

Annual Schedule Details:

Quicklink for Posting:
https://jobs.lanecc.edu/postings/13601

Posting Text

Posting Date:
06/25/2026

Closing Date:
07/26/2026

Applicant Pool:
No

Open Until Filled:
No

Required Qualifications

Required Education:

Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field.

Required Experience:

• Seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in executive communications, strategic communications, or public relations, focusing on higher education, private, or public organizations.
• Experience leading, developing, and delivering communications strategies that enhance institutional reputation.
• Experience in media relations, crisis communications, and brand management.
• Experience with digital communications tools, content management systems, and social media platforms.

Licensure or Certification Requirements

Conditions of Employment:

• Successful applicants are required to complete a criminal background check. Infractions do not necessarily disqualify a candidate, and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. See our FAQs for more detail.
• Must work and reside in the state of Oregon at the time their work is being performed.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Education

Master's Degree.

Preferred Experience

Experience acting as an organizational spokesperson.

Language Statement

We welcome multilingual applicants who can support and welcome all students.

Bilingual/Multicultural Statement:

Inclusiveness, diversity, and equity are integral to Lane's commitment to excellence in education and our commitment to student and community engagement. We welcome applicants who bring a diversity of identity, culture, experience, perspective, and thought. We encourage applications from candidates that identify with groups that are historically underrepresented in higher education.

Equivalency Statement:

We want to find the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background. We welcome applicants who bring a diversity of identity, culture, experience, perspective, and thought. We encourage you to apply, even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications described. You are also encouraged to address in the optional Supplemental Question how your professional and lived experience, scholarship, teaching, mentorship and/or service will contribute to the Lane mission of transforming lives through learning.

Position Purpose:

The Senior Advisor for Strategic Communications develops, oversees, and executes the College's communications strategy, with the goal of enhancing the institution's reputation both locally and nationally. Reporting directly to the President, the Senior Advisor will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering consistent, impactful messaging to advance the College's mission, values, priorities, and public presence.

This position serves as the primary communications leader for the President's Office, ensuring strategic alignment of all internal and external communications, fostering community engagement, and positioning the College as a leading institution in higher education.

Essential Functions:

Strategic Communications Leadership:

• Develop and oversee a comprehensive communications strategy that enhances the College's reputation and promotes its achievements across multiple channels and audiences.

Executive Communications:

• Craft high-quality speeches, statements, articles, and key messages for the President.
• Provide talking points, presentations, and briefings for high-profile internal and external engagements.

Internal Communications Management:

• Foster transparency and alignment within the College by leading the development of effective internal messaging.

External Relations and Brand Enhancement:

• Manage public messaging to position the College as a leader in community colleges.
• Collaborate with media partners and stakeholders to promote the College's success and increase visibility.

Enrollment Communications and Strategy:

• Collaborate with enrollment management and student services leadership to develop and implement integrated communication strategies that support student recruitment, retention, and completion.
• Create targeted, data-informed messaging and campaigns that engage prospective and current students while aligning with institutional enrollment priorities.

Content Strategy and Delivery:

• Ensure consistency in messaging across platforms, including newsletters, media releases, social media, and the College website.
• Develop storytelling strategies to highlight institutional achievements and community impact.

Collaboration with Leadership:

• Work closely with the executive team and other senior leaders to align communications strategies with institutional goals.

Board Communications:

• Elevate communication between the President's Office and the Board of Trustees, including the preparation of key updates.

Event and Crisis Communications:

• Coordinate strategic messaging for major events, initiatives, and crises to ensure smooth preparation and effective public engagement.

Supervision:

• Supervises a team of employees in providing strategic leadership and oversight to ensure the departments goals align with organizational objectives.
• Responsible for mentoring and developing team members, addressing performance issues, and promoting professional growth.

General:

• Ensure the implementation of the College's Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunities concerning policies, goals, and timetables in assigned areas.
• Ensure staff development on diversity, inclusive climate, and respectful learning and working environment issues.
• Problem solve and manage sensitive information with appropriate awareness of FERPA standards; maintain confidentiality and sensitivity to the privacy needs of students.
• Other duties as assigned.

Equity and Inclusion

• Demonstrate Lane Community College's core value of social justice by ensuring equity and inclusion skills such as respect, inclusiveness, reflecting, valuing of cultural and personal differences. These are the basis of employee and student interpersonal communications and relationships and are applied to all position responsibilities.
• Duties are carried out respectfully, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, social class, marital status, national origin, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, veteran's status, nationality, age, language, origin or employment status.
• Must demonstrate an active concern for meeting the needs of students, staff, and the public.
• Actively assist with ADA compliance in conjunction with Human Resources and the Center for Accessible Resources departments; support appropriate access for persons with disabilities in order to provide for the success of students and staff; mentor and role model cultural competency for persons with disabilities.

Supervision Statement:

Reports to the President.

Physical Demands/Working Environment:

• This position works indoors and is exposed to usual office working conditions that include office noises and interruptions, such as printers, telephones, and visitors.
• This position requires that an employee is able to sit or stand for extended periods of time; perform cognitive and psychometric work for more than six (6) hours a day.
• This position may work with individuals who may be in crisis, have difficulty tracking, or in need of mental health support.
• Work may require transporting materials up to twenty-five (25) pounds.
• Drive safely, follow traffic laws.
• Work extended hours, evenings and weekends as directed.
• Work safely.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge:

• In-depth understanding of strategic communications principles, practices, and trends in higher education or public sector organizations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of media relations, crisis communications, and reputation management strategies.
• Proficiency in developing and executing multi-channel communication strategies, including traditional and digital platforms.
• Understanding of enrollment management principles, student recruitment strategies, and retention-focused communications in a higher education environment.
• Familiarity with content management systems, social media platforms, and analytics tools for tracking and evaluating communication effectiveness.
• Knowledge of higher education operations, organizational structures, and key stakeholder expectations.

Skills:

• Skills in crafting compelling speeches, articles, reports, and digital content tailored to diverse audiences.
• Strong skills in fostering trust, collaboration, and partnerships with internal and external stakeholders, including senior executives and media representatives.
• Expertise in managing multiple, high-priority projects simultaneously, ensuring timely delivery under tight deadlines.
• Skills in identifying communication challenges and designing innovative solutions to address them effectively.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and interpersonal skills, with experience supporting senior executives.

Abilities:

• Ability to manage multiple priorities under pressure and collaborate across departments effectively.
• Ability to develop and implement long-term, high-impact communication strategies aligned with institutional goals including managed enrollment growth and student engagement.
• Ability to guide teams and collaborate across departments to achieve cohesive communication efforts.
• Capable of responding quickly and effectively to shifting priorities, crises, or emerging opportunities.
• Ability to use data-driven insights