Dir of College Engagement and Strat Comm

Dir of College Engagement and Strat Comm

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 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
Our University Community  | We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.

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Applicant Documents

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