Assistant Director of Communications

Job Posting

Title:

Assistant Director of Communications

Hiring Department: Department of Computer Science

Position Open To: All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled

Hours:

40

FLSA Status: Exempt

Earliest

Start Date:

Jan 01, 2026

Position Duration: Expected to Continue

Location: UT MAIN CAMPUS

Serve as a key strategic partner to the Director of Marketing and Communications. Lead execution of the department's editorial, digital, and media strategy; manage major storytelling and internal communications efforts; and direct all communications and marketing for Texas AI, a university-wide initiative.

• Serve as a strategic advisor and right hand to the Director on messaging, positioning, and long-range planning.
• Lead department-wide communications coordination to ensure cohesive, audience-centered storytelling.
• Build strong relationships with faculty and staff; maintain clear intake processes and communicate editorial decisions diplomatically.
• Represent the communications office in cross-unit meetings and act as a proxy for the Director when needed.
• Supervise communications coordinators and writing staff, providing coaching on editorial judgment, workflow management, and message alignment.
• Oversee internal and executive communications including memos, leadership messaging, and major departmental announcements.
• Collaborate with College of Natural Sciences and central communications on shared initiatives and issues management.
• Lead the department's editorial strategy: run editorial meetings, manage the Asana editorial calendar, and maintain visibility into all active projects.
• Evaluate story ideas for strategic fit, audience value, and resource implications; provide faculty with clear guidance on the most effective communication pathways.
• Establish and manage workflows for editorial submissions, accolades, and research highlights.
• Provide high-level editorial oversight and approval for major stories, digital features, and research reporting.
• Write and edit content including research features, profiles, impact stories, newsletters, and strategic web copy.
• Oversee digital channel strategy and ensure consistency across websites, emails, and social content.
• Manage website governance, content updates, and CMS operations; collaborate with technical partners on improvements, UX, and accessibility.
• Develop and execute a proactive media relations strategy aligned with departmental strengths.
• Guide the communications coordinator's media outreach, including pitching, releases, briefings, and faculty prep.
• Serve as a departmental media contact and spokesperson when appropriate.
• Maintain tools and systems for tracking media placements and reporting outcomes.
• Monitor traditional and social media for trends, mentions, and potential risks; support issues management and crisis communications.
• Lead all communications and marketing for Texas AI, ensuring alignment with departmental and campus-wide priorities.
• Shape Texas AI's narrative, messaging pillars, and storytelling priorities.
• Develop and implement communications plans including website content, newsletters, social messaging, event promotion, and media outreach.
• Proactively surface stories and build relationships across UT to gather information about AI research, partnerships, and initiatives.
• Manage and optimize the Texas AI website to ensure accuracy, usability, and brand consistency.
• Serve as liaison between Texas AI leadership, affiliated researchers, campus partners, and central Mar Com teams.

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or related field.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, journalism, or public affairs.
• Demonstrated experience in editorial operations, communications planning, and/or complex content workflows.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling abilities across digital formats.
• Strong project management skills, including running meetings, developing timelines, and managing deadlines.
• Experience building relationships with senior leaders, faculty, or experts and translating complex topics into compelling narratives.
• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic communication skills, including the ability to deliver editorial decisions tactfully.
• Ability to balance competing priorities and make editorial choices grounded in strategy, audience needs, and resources.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience with media relations and working with reporters.
• Experience managing websites and working within a CMS.

• Experience in higher education, research communications, or large, decentralized organizations.
• Experience in science/technology communication, with demonstrated judgment about story potential in computing, AI, and related fields.
• Experience with Asana or similar project management tools.
• Knowledge of UX writing principles and digital content best practices.
• Experience managing editorial intake processes and communicating…