Senior Director for University Communications

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* Job Description:

**** Who We Are
** Founded in 1891, Seattle Pacific University has a long and distinguished history in Christian higher education. Located just minutes from downtown Seattle, SPU seeks to be a premier Christian university fully committed to engaging the culture and changing the world by graduating people of competence and character, becoming people of wisdom, and modeling grace-filled community.
University Communications plays a vital role in telling SPU's story, strengthening its institutional identity, and connecting prospective students, families, alumni, donors, and the broader community with the University's distinctive mission and educational experience.  
** What We Need
** Seattle Pacific University is seeking an accomplished, strategic, and creative  
** Senior Director of University Communications
** to lead institutional marketing and communications efforts that strengthen the SPU brand, support enrollment and advancement priorities, and elevate the University's visibility and reputation.
Leading a talented eight-member University Communications team, the Senior Director oversees a broad portfolio that includes institutional branding, digital marketing, website strategy, social media, media relations, publications, design, photography, videography, and executive communications. This position serves as a trusted communications partner to University leadership, translating institutional priorities into compelling messages and coordinated strategies that engage key audiences.
The ideal candidate is both a visionary leader and a skilled communications practitioner—an exceptional writer and storyteller who brings strategic insight, creativity, sound judgment, and a collaborative approach to their work. They thrive in a dynamic environment, build strong relationships across departments, and are committed to delivering measurable results.
The Senior Director of University Communications supports Seattle Pacific University's mission by contributing to a Christ-centered learning and working community committed to academic excellence, service, and engagement with the world. In this role, the employee brings their skills, gifts, and professional expertise to work that matters—serving students, colleagues, and the broader University community in ways that reflect SPU's values and purpose.

To that end, all University employees are required to be aligned with and supportive of SPU's Statement of Faith and its derivative policies and lifestyle expectations.  
** What You'll Do*
* ** Strategic Communications & Brand Leadership*
* * Lead University-wide communications and marketing strategies that advance institutional priorities, strengthen SPU's brand, and engage internal and external audiences.
* Serve as a strategic communications advisor to University leadership, including the President's Cabinet and Office of the President, on executive messaging, media relations, and crisis communications.
* Guide institutional storytelling, messaging, editorial standards, and content development across digital, print, and multimedia platforms.
* Write, edit, and develop compelling communications that reflect SPU's distinctive mission, values, and educational experience.  
** Digital Marketing & Enrollment Communications*
* * Direct the University's website and digital communications strategy, ensuring an engaging user experience, consistent messaging, and effective integration with digital advertising.
* Oversee social media, photography, videography, and digital content strategies that strengthen audience engagement and institutional visibility.
* Partner closely with Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions to develop integrated marketing and communications strategies that support enrollment goals.
* Use analytics, audience insights, and performance measures to evaluate effectiveness and continuously improve marketing outcomes.  
** Team Leadership & University Partnerships*
* * Lead, mentor, and develop an eight-member communications team responsible for marketing, web, design, multimedia, writing, publications, and media relations.
* Collaborate with University Advancement to develop alumni and parent communications, fundraising appeals, case statements, and other materials that inspire engagement and philanthropic support.
* Build productive relationships with faculty, staff, and campus leaders to ensure coordinated communications and excellent service to University partners.  
** Operations & Project Management*
* * Oversee…