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Position Details

Position Information

Department College of Engineering (ENG)

Position Title Administrator 2-Dept/Colg Mktg

Job Title Senior Director of Communications

Appointment Type Professional Faculty

Job Location Corvallis

Benefits Eligible Full-Time, benefits eligible

Remote or Hybrid option?

Job Summary

The College of Engineering is seeking a Senior Director of Communications. This is a full-time (1.00 FTE ), 12-month, professional faculty position.

The Senior Director of Communications ( SDC ) is a key leader within the College of Engineering, responsible for shaping and advancing the college’s reputation, brand, and strategic communications across all schools and units. Reporting to the Executive Director of External Relations, the SDC leads the development and execution of communications strategies that elevate the college’s profile locally, nationally, and globally, while ensuring alignment with university-wide branding and goals.

The SDC will drive a cultural shift from traditional activities to a dynamic, multi-channel communications approach that amplifies the college’s impact and thought leadership. The successful candidate will bring experience guiding teams through organizational transformation and fostering adaptability, innovation, and collaboration.

The SDC provides executive communications counsel and support to the dean, college leadership, and key stakeholders, serving as the principal architect of messaging for high-impact audiences including academic leaders, industry partners, government officials, alumni, donors, faculty, staff, and students. The SDC is accountable for the college’s brand reputation plan, issues management, and for cultivating a proactive, data-driven, and creative communications culture. The SDC will mentor and inspire a high-performing team, ensuring strategic alignment, measurable outcomes, and continuous improvement in all communications initiatives.

Why OSU?

Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS :

•Top 1.4% university in the world

•More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined

•1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.

•2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties

•7cultural resource centers (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/work-life/diversity-and-cultural-resources) that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone

•100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates

•35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color

•217k+ alumni worldwide

•For more interesting facts about OSU visit:https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers acomprehensive benefits package (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/prospective-employee) with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:

•Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.

•Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.

•Retirement savings paid by the university.

•A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.

•Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.

•Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.

•Optional lifestyle benefits such as pet, accident, and critical illness insurance, giving you peace of mind and the support you need to thrive in all aspects of your life.

Oregon State University is deeply committed to the principles of a Health Promoting University. This commitment drives a collaborative approach across OSU’s safety and well-being programs, reducing silos and coordinating efforts to enhance employee safety and well-being. By prioritizing resources that support the health of both employees and students, OSU fosters a culture of care and a healthier campus environment where everyone can thrive.

Future and current OSU employees can use theBenefits Calculator (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/benefits/new-employees/benefits-calculator) to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU .

Key Responsibilities

35% Communications Strategic Planning, Brand Reputation and Management

Works in a highly dynamic and innovative environment to create strategic communications strategies, brand reputation plans, and brand messaging platforms that strengthen the college’s brand position with external stakeholders to increase awareness of and financial support for the college’s mission; attract high-quality and diverse students, faculty, and staff to our programs; generate recognition for COE faculty and outreach programs; and enhance government, industry and employer relations.

Key activities include:

+ Work with the Executive Director of External Relations and the college leadership team to identify college goals that would be positively impacted through strategic communications programs.

+ Lead the creation, implementation, and ongoing refinement of the college’s brand reputation plan.

+ Develop and execute integrated communications strategies that strengthen the college’s brand position and reputation among external stakeholders.

+ Lead the creation of the college’s brand messaging platform, ensuring consistency and alignment with university and college brand guidelines.

+ Oversee personnel and budget responsible for producing communications pieces that supports brand and reputation efforts.

+ Champion innovation in communications by evaluating and adopting emerging technologies, platforms, and best practices to keep the college’s messaging fresh, relevant, and effective.

+ Analyze various data sources to determine the most effective communications strategies and formulate long-term and short-term plans to improve brand recognition and reputation.

+ Manage and administer the budget for communications plans.

+ Utilize data analytics to inform communications decisions.

25% Executive Communications & Advancement

+ Provide executive communications leadership for the dean and college leadership team, including speeches, presentations, op-eds, correspondence, and digital content.

+ Develop and manage executive messaging for major announcements, strategic initiatives, and external relations priorities.

+ Collaborate with the OSU Foundation, Alumni Association, and other partners to support philanthropy, alumni, and donor engagement.

+ Ensure the dean’s digital and social media presence is current, relevant, and strategically positioned.

20% Stakeholder, School, and Program Engagement

+ Cultivate relationships with key stakeholders across the college’s schools, university leadership, industry, etc. to provide tools that will allow them to serve as brand ambassadors.

+ Serve as a central liaison for college-led communications activities within academic units, college research centers and institutes.

+ Lead proactive communications campaigns to enhance visibility and reputation.

+ Lead a communications team structure that actively promotes proactive engagement with college faculty, students, etc,, to ensure the right stories are being told to elevate the college’s brand.

+ Develop and implement training and resource programs for faculty, staff, and students to strengthen their capacity as effective communicators and advocates for the college’s brand.

+ Monitor and assess the effectiveness of stakeholder engagement initiatives, using data and feedback to refine strategies and maximize impact on brand reputation and program visibility.

15% Team Leadership & Administration

+ Provide leadership, supervision, and direction for assigned communications staff.

+ Hire, train, and develop team members; set goals and evaluate performance.

+ Manage communications budget and resources to maximize operational efficiency.

+ Foster a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive team culture.

+ Research, leverage, and implement artificial intelligence technologies to improve team efficiencies.

5% Service & Professional Development

+ Participate in service activities for the college, university, and profession.

+ Maintain awareness of best practices and trends in executive communications, brand stewardship, and higher education.

What You Will Need

+ Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, or related field.

+ At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in communications.

+ Demonstrated experience leading comprehensive communications and public relations strategies to advance organizational goals.

+ Experience supervising and developing professional staff in a collaborative, collegial environment.

+ Outstanding written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

+ Proven ability to manage multiple complex projects under tight deadlines.

+ Demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.

+ Experience collaborating directly with senior-level administrators or executives.

+ Ability to use sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and exercise editorial discretion.

+ Proficiency with technology, social media, and communications platforms.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.

What We Would Like You to Have

+ Experience in higher education or similar environment.

+ Experience with executive communications.

+ Experience with brand stewardship and storytelling for diverse audiences.

+ Experience utilizing artificial intelligence to improve efficiencies without sacrificing authenticity.

Working Conditions / Work Schedule

This is a Campus based position located in Corvallis Oregon. Options for hybrid work may be considered on occasion.

Pay Method Salary

Pay Period 1st through the last day of the month

Pay Date Last working day of the month

Recommended Full-Time Salary Range $109,900-$124,000

Link to Position Description

https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/position\_descriptions/175406

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number P09606UF

Number of Vacancies 1

Anticipated Appointment Begin Date 04/01/2026

Anticipated Appointment End Date

Posting Date 12/15/2025

Full Consideration Date 01/11/2026

Closing Date 02/08/2026

Indicate how you intend to recruit for this search Competitive / External - open to ALL qualified applicants

Special Instructions to Applicants

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by January 11, 2026.Applications will continue to be accepted after the full consideration date, until a sufficient applicant pool has been achieved or the position is filled. The closing date is subject to change without notice to applicants.

When applying you will be required to attach the following electronic documents:

1) A resume/CV; and

2) A cover letter: In your cover letter, please describe how you are uniquely qualified and meet the minimum required qualifications for this position.

Starting salary within the salary range will be commensurate with skills, education, and experience.

You will also be required to submit the names of at least three professional references, their e-mail addresses and telephone numbers as part of the application process.

For additional information please contact:

Michael Collins

[email protected]

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability, protected veteran, and other protected status.

OSU will conduct a review of the National Sex Offender Public website prior to hire.

OSU is a fair chance employer committed to inclusive hiring. We encourage applications from candidates who bring a wide range of lived experience including involvement with the justice system. This job has “critical or security-sensitive” responsibilities. If you are selected as a finalist, your initial job offer will be contingent upon the results of a job-related pre-employment check (such as a background check, motor vehicle history check, sexual misconduct reference check, etc.). Background check results do not automatically disqualify a candidate. Take a look at ourBackground Checks (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/background-checks) website including thefor candidates (https://hr.oregonstate.edu/careers/candidates) section for more details. If you have questions or concerns about the pre-employment check, please contact OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations team [email protected].

Supplemental Questions

Read More at: https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/postings/175414

OSU commits to inclusive excellence by advancing equity and diversity in all that we do. We are an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer, and particularly encourage applications from members of historically underrepresented racial/ethnic groups, women, individuals with disabilities, veterans, LGBTQ community members, and others who demonstrate the ability to help us achieve our vision of a diverse and inclusive community.