Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

CSU Careers•San José, CA

4d•$5,053 - $16,221

About The Position

Reporting to the Senior Director of Strategic Communications, the Assistant Director of Strategic Communications serves as a communications leader responsible for advancing the university's reputation through integrated strategic communications, storytelling, web content project coordination and enterprise social media strategy. The Assistant Director develops and implements communication strategies that support institutional priorities while providing day-to-day leadership for the university's strategic communications, content strategy and social media efforts. Working collaboratively across the university, the incumbent advises campus leaders, manages complex communications projects, develops compelling content, oversees content planning, and collaborates on social media strategy while remaining actively involved in content creation, writing, editing, photography, video production, and community engagement. This position combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution, serving as both a communications strategist and content creator who ensures the university's messaging is timely, compelling, accessible, and aligned with institutional goals.

Requirements

Expert-level writing, editing, and storytelling skills across multiple platforms, audiences, and formats, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling, accessible content.
Demonstrated ability to develop and implement integrated strategic communications plans that advance institutional priorities, strengthen reputation, and ensure consistent messaging across channels.
Strong knowledge of executive, organizational, media, and crisis communications, with the ability to advise senior leaders and campus partners on messaging, positioning, and emerging issues.
Expertise in enterprise social media and digital communications strategy, including content planning, audience engagement, community management, analytics, and performance measurement.
Knowledge of web content strategy and digital best practices, including content governance, accessibility, usability, and coordination of complex web and digital communications projects.
Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality multimedia content, including photography, video, visual storytelling, and other digital assets that support institutional communications.
Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex, high-priority projects, establish priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain quality.
Ability to influence without direct authority and build effective collaborative relationships across a complex, diverse organization, including with senior leaders, faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders.
Excellent presentation, consultation, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and represent the university professionally.
Strong editorial judgment, adaptability, and strategic problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess communications opportunities and risks, respond to changing priorities, and balance strategic leadership with hands-on execution.
Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field
Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in strategic communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, digital communications, or a related field, including experience leading multifaceted communications projects and providing direction to staff, project teams, or other communications professionals.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field
Professional experience developing and implementing strategic communications plans for a complex organization
Demonstrated experience developing, writing, and editing high-level communications for internal and external audiences
Experience developing and executing social media strategies and creating content for institutional or organizational social media channels
Experience working in higher education or another large, complex organization
Experience with crisis and emergency communications
Experience with social media management, content management, analytics, and digital publishing platforms

Responsibilities

Develop and implement integrated strategic communications plans supporting university priorities, presidential initiatives, enrollment, advancement, and institutional reputation.
Provide leadership, supervision, and strategic direction to the Social Media and Strategic Communications Manager, establishing priorities, aligning work with institutional goals, and supporting professional development and performance.
Guide the Social Media and Strategic Communications Manager in the development and execution of integrated content, social media, and communications strategies that strengthen the university’s reputation and audience engagement.
Serve as a communications advisor to university leadership on messaging, storytelling, and audience engagement.
Lead strategic content planning across print, digital, web, social media, and multimedia channels.
Write, edit, and oversee high-profile communications including leadership messaging, feature stories, newsletters, websites, institutional publications, and major digital campaigns.
Coordinate cross-functional communications projects with colleges and administrative divisions, including projects led or supported by the Social Media and Strategic Communications Manager.
Support media relations efforts by developing messaging, background materials, strategic communications plans, and integrated digital content.
Serve as a member of the university's emergency and crisis communications team, developing messaging, coordinating digital communications, and providing direction for social media response during critical incidents.
Establish workflows, priorities, content calendars, and quality standards for strategic communications and social media efforts, ensuring effective coordination between institutional storytelling and digital engagement.
Review and provide strategic guidance on major social media campaigns, sensitive or high-profile content and reputation-focused initiatives.
Lead development and implementation of the university's enterprise social media strategy.
Create and publish engaging social media content, including writing copy, photography, short-form video, livestreams, graphics, and multimedia storytelling.
Analyze performance using social media analytics and Google Analytics, translating insights into recommendations for continuous improvement.
Identify emerging digital trends and recommend new approaches that enhance audience engagement.
Provide training, coaching, and best practices for campus communicators and social media contributors.