Chief Communications Officer

Salary Range: $220-$230K/annually
Work environment: Primarily in-office

The Chief Communications Officer is responsible for the internal and external communications strategy for the University of Minnesota - one of America's premier research universities.
The Chief Communications Officer serves as lead University communications strategist, advisor and spokesperson, working in close collaboration with the University Vice President of Communications, the University President and cabinet, the Board of Regents and other University leaders. The Chief Communications Officer ensures that objectives- and performance metrics-driven strategies are in place to further the University's mission and strategic priorities. The person in this role is an instrumental part of the crisis communications response plan. The person in this role has demonstrated experience and success leading development and implementation of comprehensive communications strategies that grow awareness and understanding and inspire engagement across a broad array of stakeholders for complex organizations.

The person in this role works closely with a broad set of University leaders to promote and protect the University's reputation, providing strategic guidance, managing emerging issues and representing the University as a spokesperson to news media and other internal and external audiences. The Chief Communications Officer leads a team of expert professionals responsible for internal and leadership communications; public relations and strategic communications and works in partnership with the University's Chief Marketing Officer to provide strategic guidance for the University's integrated and comprehensive content strategy. The person in this role is a highly effective collaborator, supporting continuous improvement, professional growth and operational efficiency across the University and within the unit.

The Chief Communications Officers possesses a high level of integrity and demonstrates discretion in sensitive and confidential matters and is able to effectively enhance the University's reputation and brand across Minnesota and around the nation and world and ensures that strategies and messaging closely align with and support the success of the University's strategic plan across all University channels.

Primary Responsibilities
Strategic Communication Leadership, Planning and Reputation Management

• Ensure successful development and implementation of comprehensive communication strategies that support the University's mission and strategic priorities.
• Develop key messaging narratives to effectively communicate the University's story and bring its brand to life and enhance its relevance across all internal and external stakeholders.
• Leverage strategic communications and innovation programs and strategies to drive positive transformation and philanthropic support for the University.
• Protect and enhance the University's reputation by proactively managing news media relations, addressing issues, and building positive relationships with influencers of the University's success in Minnesota, the nation and world.
• Advise senior leadership on communication strategies and prepare them for public appearances inside and outside the organization and news media interviews.
• Ensure that a strategic internal and leadership communications strategy is in place to inspire University faculty and staff engagement in the mission, vision, values and strategy of the organization.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders including members of the Cabinet, faculty, staff, campus, college and unit leadership, alumni, donors, business and civic leaders, policymakers, partners and community leaders.
• Engage, communicate and build collaborative, shared strategy with marketing communications leads across the University to meet mission and strategic priorities and effectively share the University's story, align messaging and a trusted community of practice.
• Monitor national trends in higher education issues, analyze how they could affect the University, and recommend communication strategies for how best to represent the University's interests short- and long-term.

Internal and External Communications Strategies

• Ensure development and implementation of crisis communications strategies to ensure a consistent and effective response to events, both planned and unexpected.
• Ensure proactive strategy is in place to foster strong working with regional and national media, both traditional and non-traditional.
• Develop and execute news media outreach strategies, including news releases, media pitches and interviews that earn broad reach and further University mission and business priorities.
• Develop and implement comprehensive social media strategies across various platforms, considering goals, target audiences and emerging trends.
• Provide oversight of objectives-driven internal and leadership communications strategies that are built collaboratively with campus, college and unit marketing communications leaders and further the University priorities and operational performance.
  • Foster faculty and staff engagement, aligning internal communications with the University's strategic priorities.
• Develop and lead successful implementation of the University's social media strategy and presence across various platforms.
• Track key communication metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of communication campaigns to identify areas for improvement and adjust communication strategies based on results.

Team Leadership

• In partnership with the unit's senior directors, build a collaborative, supportive environment that facilitates a culture of professional growth, learning and success.
• Provide strategic leadership and guidance to the team in support of the unit's strategic plan.
• Contribute to an environment where every member of the team has meaningful work and is fully engaged in support of the unit's strategic priorities.
• Foster close working relationships for the team with University leaders and marketing communications leads across campuses, colleges and units.
  
  

Required

• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, journalism, English or in a related field and,
• At least 15 years of experience that includes strategic communications experience of increasing scope, with some experience at a public agency or with a large, complex organization.
• Demonstrated experience building successful communications strategies inside complex organizations, inspiring collaboration across boundaries.
• Experience leading and developing a high performing team.
• Experience working proactively with news media, establishing influential productive working relationships.
• Experience developing crisis communications and issues management strategies in a fast-paced environment.
• Exceptional communication skills and experience communicating effectively and confidently at all levels of the organization to promote and gain support for ideas and plans.
• Strength in critical and strategic thinking.
• Strong problem-solving abilities, resourcefulness and ingenuity.
• Ability to collaborate with and in some cases convene teams that include participants from other areas of the unit and organization to integrate the deliverables of the functions and achieve common goals to successfully support the mission of the University.
• Demonstrated strong business acumen and analytical skills and ability to contribute to strategic thinking while also being able to accomplish tactical tasks.
  

Preferred

• Advanced degree in communications, marketing, public policy administration or related field.
• Knowledge of current literature, trends and best practices in public relations, marketing, communications, community relations and public affairs.
• Understanding of digital communications and social media strategies.
• Ability to quickly adjust to changing priorities and situations.
  
  

About the University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota is a world-class research university and one of the largest in the United States. The University leads the way on mission-driven work opportunities, strong employee engagement, a fantastic benefits package including tuition reimbursement, all in an always-something-new work environment.

Founded in 1851 as a land-grant university, the school now serves more than 70,000 students from 130 countries enrolled on our campuses, thousands of study abroad students, more than 26,000 employees on five campuses across Minnesota, and half a million alumni worldwide.

The University consistently has advanced its mission with exceptional vigor-distinguished by a comprehensive commitment to integrating public engagement deeply into teaching and learning, research, and discovery. The University also strongly embraces equity and diversity as foundational values and has made both engagement and diversity central to its University strategic plan.

About the Twin Cities Campus
The Twin Cities campus is in the heart of a dynamic metro area that is a global economic leader, an education and culture hub, and renowned for its abundant natural resources. The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro is home to the fourth-largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies nationwide and thriving entrepreneurial and small business sectors. Ranked as one of the country's leading "creative economies," the Twin Cities is renowned for its arts and nonprofit sectors, as well as many lakes, parks, and a wealth of recreational and entertainment opportunities. Spanning locations in both Minneapolis and St. Paul, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities straddles the Mississippi River and adjoins a national park.

The University is an anchor institution for a globally competitive region and state with notable strengths in areas critical to today's knowledge economy-including biosciences, medical devices, and agriculture and food production. The campus is also located in an increasingly diverse region, with 11 federally-recognized tribal nations, the largest urban Native American population in the country, and growing African American, Latino and Chicano, and Asian American populations.
The Twin Cities campus is located on traditional, ancestral and contemporary lands of Indigenous people. The University resides on Dakota land ceded in the Treaties of 1837 and 1851. The University acknowledges this place has a complex and layered history and is committed to ongoing efforts to recognize, support and advocate for American Indian Nations and peoples.

Pay Range: $220,000- $230,000 annually; depending on education/qualifications/experience

Time Appointment Category: 75%-100% Appointment (If job description above does not specify appointment or expected weekly hours, assume a 100% appointment.)

Position Type: Faculty and P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Priority consideration begins June 23, 2025. For a completed application, please include a resume and cover letter. Finalists will be asked to provide references.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC), is among the largest public research universities in the country, offering undergraduate, graduate, and professional students a multitude of opportunities for study and research. Located at the heart of one of the nation's most vibrant, diverse metropolitan communities, students on the campuses in Minneapolis and St. Paul benefit from extensive partnerships with world-renowned health centers, international corporations, government agencies, and arts, nonprofit, and public service organizations.

At the University of Minnesota, we are proud to be recognized by the Star Tribune as a Top Workplace for 2021, as well as by Forbes as Best Employers for Women and one of America's Best Employers (2015, 2018, 2019, 2023), Best Employer for Diversity (2019, 2020), Best Employer for New Grads (2018, 2019), and Best Employer by State (2019, 2022).