Associate Director of Communications

Department D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF)

Job Title Associate Director of Communications

Campus

Syracuse University is committed to delivering an exceptional student experience through vibrant, engaged campus communities. This position is based at the above campus location and requires regular in-person presence to support our students, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute to our thriving academic environment. Syracuse University values the collaboration, mentorship, and spontaneous connections that happen when our community works together on campus.

Remote work arrangements are limited in accordance with University policy.

Pay Range $76,100 - $92,200

Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.

Staff Level S5

FLSA Status Exempt

Standard University business hours

8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)

8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs.

Job Type Full-time

Unionized Position Code Not Applicable

The Associate Director of Communications develops high-quality editorial content and manages earned media initiatives for the D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families at Syracuse University. Reporting to the Executive Director of Marketing and Communications, this position produces long-form and high-visibility communications, develops strategic media pitches, and supports external brand positioning in alignment with established Institute and University strategy.

The Associate Director translates complex research, policy, programmatic, and organizational information into clear, credible, and compelling narratives for media, executive, partner, stakeholder, and public audiences. The successful candidate will be an exceptional writer and editor with significant media relations experience, strong pitching capabilities, sound editorial judgment, and the ability to identify timely stories and opportunities within the news cycle.

The position works closely with leaders, researchers, and subject matter experts across IVMF , coordinates with Syracuse University communications colleagues, and provides day-to-day direction to a small number of assigned staff or contributors.

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, public affairs, or a related field.
• Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in communications, journalism, media relations, public relations, public affairs, or a related discipline.
• Significant experience writing and editing long-form, executive-level, organizational, or public-facing communications.
• Demonstrated experience developing strategic media pitches, working with reporters, securing earned-media coverage, and preparing subject matter experts or organizational leaders for interviews.
• Experience interviewing leaders, researchers, program professionals, participants, or external partners and translating those conversations into compelling written content.
• Experience managing multiple communications projects, deadlines, stakeholders, and approval processes.
• Experience managing, providing direction, feedback, or oversight to staff members, freelancers, contractors, student employees, or other contributors.

• Exceptional writing, editing, interviewing, pitching, and storytelling skills, with the ability to translate…