Strategic IT Communications & Executive Operations Specialist-Communications Specialist

Strategic It Communications & Executive Operations Specialist-Communications Specialist 2

This position serves as the university's strategic leader for IT communications, responsible for developing and executing enterprise communication strategies that support institutional priorities, protect the university's reputation, and build trust with internal and external stakeholders. Reporting to the Vice President for Technology Strategy & CIO, the role provides leadership and guidance on messaging, stakeholder engagement, and change management for technology initiatives and critical issues.

The position leads communication efforts for complex and high-profile situations, including major IT incidents and cybersecurity events, ensuring clear, consistent, and effective messaging. It also supports the successful execution and visibility of IT priorities through coordinated planning, stakeholder collaboration, and oversight of key meetings and events. Additionally, this role enhances leadership effectiveness by supporting the CIO and IT leadership through coordination of priorities, workflows, and decision-support activities, ensuring alignment and progress across initiatives.

Overall, the position integrates strategic communications and operational coordination to strengthen the impact and visibility of Information Technology Services while advancing the university's mission.

Principal Responsibilities And Results

1. IT Communications Strategy, Advisory, and Crisis Communications:
Develop, lead, and continuously refine comprehensive IT communications strategies that support institutional priorities, protect the university's reputation, and ensure clear, consistent, and effective messaging across all technology initiatives and incidents. Partner with the CIO, IT leadership, and campus stakeholders to define communication goals, messaging, target audiences, and approaches, including advising on change management, stakeholder engagement, and risk mitigation. Establish standards and best practices for IT communications, and oversee the development, review, approval, and delivery of content across appropriate channels.

Lead the development and execution of crisis communications for major IT incidents, ensuring timely, accurate, and transparent information while maintaining stakeholder trust and aligning with university policies and regulatory requirements. Anticipate and prepare for potential communication challenges, including media inquiries, and provide strategic guidance to leadership during high-profile or sensitive situations. Apply audience segmentation, message testing, and data-informed analysis to improve communication strategy, strengthen engagement, enhance consistency, and ensure IT messages are clear, timely, accessible, and aligned to stakeholder needs.

Ensure IT communications align with institutional messaging and remain clear, accurate, discoverable, and mission focused.

2. IT Meetings, Events, and Special Projects Marketing & Coordination:
Plan, lead, and execute meetings, events, marketing efforts, and special projects of varying scope and complexity, including large-scale, high-visibility events with 1,000 or more participants. Ensure successful outcomes through comprehensive planning, proactive coordination, and strategic promotion that drives awareness, engagement, and participation. Identify and engage appropriate stakeholders, establishing clear roles, expectations, and communication approaches to support alignment and successful execution.

Develop and manage comprehensive project and marketing plans, timelines, and task tracking, proactively identifying dependencies, risks, and resource needs. Anticipate potential challenges and implement mitigation strategies to ensure continuity, quality, and strong participation. Design and coordinate campaign planning and content and engagement analysis to promote events and initiatives, including audience identification, messaging alignment (in coordination with IT communications), and selection of effective channels to maximize reach and engagement.

Oversee all logistical and operational aspects, including venue coordination, technology setup, vendor engagement, catering, registration, and on-site execution. Ensure all arrangements are completed accurately and on time, while maintaining flexibility to adapt to changing needs or priorities. Prepare and coordinate materials to support event and project success, including agendas, presentations, briefing documents, notes, signage, and participant communications. Ensure a consistent, professional experience that reflects institutional standards and enhances the visibility and impact of IT initiatives.

Continuously evaluate event, marketing, and project outcomes, incorporating feedback and lessons learned to improve processes, effectiveness, and stakeholder satisfaction over time.

3. IT Executive Operations & Communications Specialist:
Support IT leadership effectiveness by enabling coordination, visibility, and…