Director of Strategic Communications / Sr. Communications & Marketing Officer/S

Working/Functional Title

Director of Strategic Communications

Position Summary

Position Summary

Reporting to the Student Affairs Chief of Staff and serving as a member of the Student Affairs Leadership Team, the Director of Strategic Communications for Student Affairs at Michigan State University serves as the principal communications strategist and advisor to the Vice President for Student Affairs (VPSA) and Student Affairs senior leadership. This position is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive, integrated communications and marketing strategies that advance the mission, values, and priorities of Student Affairs while supporting Michigan State University’s broader institutional brand and strategic objectives.

 

This position leads and implements communications planning, executive communications, strategic storytelling, public/media relations, traditional and digital marketing strategy, media production, advertising, social media, and stakeholder engagement efforts that highlight the student experience, foster a sense of belonging, and strengthen the university’s reputation for excellence in student success, wellness, and inclusion. The position also is responsible for proactive issues management and coordination with University Communications and Marketing (UCAM) during high-profile or crisis events.

 

The position reports functionally and administratively to the Division of Student Affairs with a dotted line to University Communications and Marketing for the purposes of collaboration, alignment and coordination.

 

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Planning

· Develop and implement Student Affairs’ communications and marketing strategy aligned with the university’s brand, mission, and 2030 strategic plan.

· Serve as a senior advisor to the Vice President for Student Affairs on communications, issues monitoring and response, crisis communication coordination, and reputational strategy.

· Craft clear, student-centered messaging that reflects MSU’s values, supports the student experience, and reinforces a culture of care, belonging, and safety.

· Provide counsel to Student Affairs units on messaging, media relations, and internal/external communications best practices.

· Lead coordination to ensure consistent and cohesive messaging across Student Affairs departments and strong collaboration with units across campus engaged in communication supporting student experience and success

· Identify sources of information and data to support strategies and use data and analytics to measure effectiveness of communications and marketing and inform continuous improvement.

 

Brand Alignment & Storytelling 

· Oversee development of content strategies that highlight the student experience, including leadership, wellbeing, and engagement at MSU.

· Conceptualize and help produce marketing materials and write and/or edit as needed to support development of these materials.

· Implement communications and visual identity standards and protocols for Student Affairs in alignment with Student Affairs’ commitment to inclusion and belonging and the university’s Brand Standards.

· Partner and coordinate with UCAM to leverage expertise and to access enterprise communications and marketing opportunities, channels and tools.

 

Crisis & Issues Management

· Serve as the Student Affairs lead for issues and crisis communications planning and response; coordinate with UCAM to understand issues affecting Student Affairs and work in coordination with UCAM and institutional emergency management teams as appropriate.

· Contribute to the development of protocols for rapid response to sensitive issues affecting students and the campus community.

· Anticipate emerging issues in student life and recommend proactive communications strategies.

· Coordinate with UCAM to provide clear, timely, and transparent communication during crises or high-profile events.

 

Internal Communications & External Engagement 

· Lead efforts to improve communication across Student Affairs units and among staff.

· Create and implement strategies for communicating priorities, initiatives, and accomplishments to internal student affairs audiences.

· Support leadership messaging to promote transparency, engagement, and trust within Student Affairs.

· Ensure communications are accessible, inclusive, and representative of MSU’s diverse student community.

· Serves as partner to the VPSA to produce executive communications (e.g., speeches, scripts, letters, presentations) and partners with various units as appropriate.

· Conducts appropriate backgro