Marketing and Communications Director

Universities of Wisconsin•Madison, WI

2d•$90,000 - $128,500

About The Position

The College of Computing & Artificial Intelligence (CAI) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison seeks an experienced, collaborative leader to direct its marketing and communications function. As the university’s first new college in more than 40 years, CAI is building its identity, reputation, and organizational culture. The Director will help shape how the college tells its story, engages audiences, and establishes its presence in computing, data, information, and artificial intelligence. Reporting to the Chief Advancement Officer & Chief of Staff, the Director provides strategic and operational leadership for the college’s marketing and communications work. In partnership with college leadership, the Director develops and implements an integrated strategy that advances CAI’s priorities, strengthens its reputation, and builds marketing capabilities. The Director leads and develops the communications team, sets priorities and workflows, and strengthens coordination across the college, its departments, and the broader university. The role builds a proactive, collaborative operation that elevates faculty and student achievements, increases research visibility, supports internal engagement, and responds thoughtfully to emerging opportunities and challenges. The successful candidate serves as a trusted advisor to college leadership, balancing long-term strategy with hands-on leadership in an evolving organization.

Requirements

At least seven years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field.
Experience developing and implementing strategic marketing or communications initiatives across multiple audiences and channels, coordinating stakeholders, and managing complex projects.
Experience communicating complex research, technical, or other complex subject matter to various audiences.
Demonstrated experience directing others’ work, including coordinating assignments, providing feedback, or leading project teams.
Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear, accurate, and compelling content.
Experience advising organizational leaders and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders on communications strategy.
Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, exercise sound judgment, and manage competing demands in a complex organizational environment.
Bachelor’s degree required.

Nice To Haves

Experience in a research-intensive university, academic division, research institute, or similarly complex organization, with an understanding of academic culture and institutional decision-making.
Experience supervising, coaching, and developing professional marketing or communications staff.
Experience developing audience-focused marketing strategies, including digital campaigns, audience research, analytics, or strategies supporting student recruitment and enrollment.
Experience leading research communications, media relations, or thought leadership initiatives that strengthen organizational reputation and visibility.
Experience establishing or improving marketing and communications operations, including workflows, editorial planning, resource allocation, and coordination across multiple units.
Experience advising senior leaders on sensitive issues or high-profile reputational opportunities.
Experience managing budgets, external vendors, or agency relationships.

Responsibilities

Audit and direct day-to-day operational plans to align with strategic initiatives and meet established objectives.
Develop, implement, and monitor strategic communication initiatives for designated audiences and internal stakeholders to maximize engagement and strengthen collaboration.
Exercise supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time-equivalent employees.
Identify, establish, and direct media relationships and partnerships with internal and external sources.
Identify, propose, and implement new or revised operational policies and procedures.
Lead and develop the college communications team, establishing priorities and effective workflows.
Partner with college leadership to develop and implement an integrated marketing and communications strategy.
Coordinate marketing and communications across the college, its departments, and the broader university.
Elevate faculty and student achievements, advance research visibility, support internal engagement, and respond to emerging opportunities and challenges.
Advise college leadership on communications strategy and contribute strategic judgment, creativity, and communications expertise.