Senior Director for Strategic Communications

About the Job

The Senior Director for Strategic Communications leads the strategy, team, and operations that further the University of Minnesota’s research story and priorities and drive awareness, understanding and engagement amongst internal and external stakeholders.

As leader of Research & Innovation Office (RIO) communications, the Senior Director sets the vision, and leads the development and successful implementation of strategy for research storytelling, executive communications, media and issues response, digital engagement, and University-wide collaboration in partnership with communications leaders around the University. The role also provides direct leadership of university’s national security research communications portfolios including the National Security Research Institute (NSRI), ensuring disciplined, security-aware communications that advance defense-related research and partnerships.

This is a builder–leader role: part strategist, part coach. The Senior Director works closely with the AVP, the Vice President for Research & Innovation (VPR), University Marketing Communications team, and communicators across colleges, centers, and institutes to align messaging, amplify outcomes, and strengthen the University’s research reputation with public, government, industry, philanthropic, and academic audiences. Working in close collaboration with University communications partners, the Senior Director is also responsible for integrating the disparate parts of the Research & Innovation Office.

The Senior Director for Strategic Communications is a dual report to the Assistant Vice President for External Affairs and Communications (AVP) in RIO and the University’s Chief Communications Officer (CCO).

Please note:
This position is not eligible for H-1B visa sponsorship.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

• Strategy & Planning
  • Convene research communicators across colleges to align strategies that maximize engagement.
  • Build and own a multi-year marketing communications strategy that elevates RIO’s priorities and aligns with university strategic priorities.
  • Translate strategic initiatives (e.g., interdisciplinary institutes, research infrastructure, commercialization, and workforce) into clear narratives, campaigns, and editorial roadmaps.
  • Identify reputational risks and opportunities; advise AVP/VPR and University Marketing Communications on positioning and timing.
  • Collaborate with University communications leaders to advance coordinated messaging supporting our research story and drive awareness, understanding and engagement with stakeholders in support of the University’s mission and priorities.
• Editorial Leadership & Content
  • Serve as editor-in-chief for RIO: set voice, quality bar, and content strategy across web, social, video, print, and events.
  • Distill complex science into accessible messaging centered on public value, Minnesota impact, and national leadership, without oversimplification.
  • Oversee executive communications (remarks, op-eds, briefings, decks) for the VPR and RIO senior leaders.
• Media Relations & Issues Management (in coordination with University Marketing Communications)
  • Drive proactive research media pipeline; cultivate and prepare faculty experts and partner with University Marketing Communications to elevate research reputation and enterprise storytelling opportunities.
  • Co-lead issues response relevant to research with University Marketing Communications; maintain playbooks, approvals, and post-mortems.
  • Track share of voice and coverage quality; adjust strategy based on results.
• Digital, Analytics & Product Ownership
  • Own RIO’s digital presence (sites, newsletters, social channels) and ensure accessibility and usability compliance.
  • Define KPIs, dashboards, and review cycles (e.g., reach, engagement, SOV, conversions, stakeholder satisfaction).
  • Pilot new formats/tools that improve discoverability and engagement.
• Team Leadership & Operations
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team; establish clear roles, service levels, and intake/triage processes
  • Run an efficient editorial calendar and prioritization model that balances enterprise campaigns with unit needs.
  • Manage…