Assistant Director of Internal Communications

Metropolitan State University of Denver•Denver, CO

20h•$75,000 - $83,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Metropolitan State University of Denver seeks a strategic, collaborative communications leader to oversee strategies, standards, platforms and processes that help employees receive timely, relevant and actionable information. Reporting to the Senior Director of Communications in University Communications and Marketing (UCM), the Assistant Director oversees internal communication channels, manages communication platforms, administers mass communication policy, advises university leaders and communicators, and guides the work of an internal communications specialist. The role develops and evaluates the University’s internal communications strategy; administers policies and processes for mass communications; provides guidance on audiences, messages, timing, senders and channels; and serves as UCM’s business owner for Marketing Cloud Engagement, the CRM platform and other enterprise communication systems. It collaborates with technology and digital strategy teams and campus communicators to improve governance, coordination, platform adoption and communication effectiveness. The Assistant Director provides strategic and editorial direction for employee-facing channels, including the Early Bird employee newsletter and website and Faculty-Staff Hub. The role also supports crisis communications, oversees internal communications about emergencies and other high-impact matters, supervises assigned staff, leads cross-functional initiatives, and manages projects, vendor relationships and resources. This is a full-time, exempt position scheduled for 40 hours per week, generally Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The position is in person with limited hybrid flexibility. Evening and weekend work and travel are rare, as needed. The salary range is $75,000–$83,000, and the position is eligible for University benefits.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing or a related field.
At least five years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, public relations, marketing or a related field.
Demonstrated experience developing, implementing and evaluating strategic communications plans that support organizational goals and engage multiple audiences.
Experience managing digital communications platforms, such as content management systems, email marketing platforms, employee intranets or other internal communications channels.
Experience developing or implementing communications processes, standards, guidelines or governance practices to support effective and coordinated communications.
Experience using audience insights, engagement metrics and other data to evaluate communications effectiveness and inform strategic decisions.
Strong written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to translate complex information into clear, accessible and engaging communications.
Experience coordinating communications projects, managing competing priorities and guiding work across multiple teams or stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

At least seven years of progressively responsible communications experience, including three years developing and executing internal communications strategies in a large or complex organization.
Experience supervising employees, providing editorial or strategic direction and supporting professional development.
Experience leading organizational change initiatives, communications transformation projects or implementation of new communications systems and processes.
Experience establishing or administering internal communications governance, including policies, approval processes, audience segmentation, distribution standards or channel management.
Advanced knowledge of enterprise communications platforms, such as Salesforce Marketing Cloud, WordPress, Microsoft 365, employee intranets, CRM platforms or comparable systems.
Experience developing integrated communications strategies across multiple channels, including email, web, collaboration platforms and digital signage.
Experience advising senior leadership on employee communications, organizational change and crisis communications.
Experience overseeing content operations, including employee news, content planning, editorial calendars and publishing workflows.
Experience working in higher education, government, nonprofit organizations or other large, decentralized institutions.

Responsibilities

Partner with the Senior Director to develop, evaluate and implement the University’s internal communications strategy.
Administer internal mass communication policy, criteria and processes, including reviewing requests for large or cross-functional audiences and recommending improvements to standards and practices.
Provide strategic direction on audience, message, timing, sender and channel based on relevance, urgency, communication volume and institutional priorities.
Serve as UCM’s business owner for Marketing Cloud Engagement, the CRM platform and other enterprise communication systems; help establish priorities, requirements and governance in accordance with relevant laws, policies and best practices.
Collaborate with platform administrators in Information Technology Services and Digital Strategy on business rules, platform improvements, adoption and training.
Coordinate with communicators across colleges, schools and branches to improve alignment, reduce duplication and clarify institutional and departmental communication responsibilities.
Develop and maintain criteria documents, toolkits, reference materials and other resources for campus leaders and communicators.
Use platform analytics, research and audience feedback to evaluate communication effectiveness and recommend improvements.
Provide strategic and editorial direction for the Early Bird employee newsletter and website, Faculty-Staff Hub and other UCM-managed internal channels.
Guide the internal communications specialist in planning, developing and publishing employee communications and content.
Establish priorities, processes, calendars and criteria for internal communication channels.
Write, edit and/or review high-priority employee and leadership communications as needed.
Ensure internal communications are accurate, accessible and aligned with University priorities and standards.
Serve as a core member of the University’s crisis communications team.
Develop processes and oversee internal communications for emergencies, urgent operational disruptions and other high-impact Universitywide matters.
Coordinate with University and Auraria Campus partners to support timely and consistent communications.
Supervise the internal communications specialist, student employee and other assigned staff or contractors; set priorities, assign work, provide guidance and support development and performance.
Lead cross-functional internal communication and communication-platform initiatives and represent UCM on relevant University committees and working groups.
Manage assigned projects, platform-related vendor relationships and resources.
Participate in professional development and perform other duties as assigned.