Executive Director, Strategic Communications

Executive Director, Strategic Communications

Marketing and Communications
Job #545626
First Review Date: Monday, March 24, 2025

Open Until Filled

 

At Cal Poly Humboldt, bold hearts and open minds shape the future.

Founded in 1913, Cal Poly Humboldt began as a small college for teachers. Today Humboldt has grown into a comprehensive university with rigorous science and liberal arts programs. Designated a polytechnic in 2022, Cal Poly Humboldt provides hands-on, impactful educational opportunities that lead to meaningful, measurable outcomes for the individual, for the state, and the world.

Cal Poly Humboldt is proud to have more than 6,000 students of all backgrounds spread across 61 majors, 13 graduate programs, and 4 credential programs — all of whom contribute passion and creativity within their fields and set the stage for a future grounded in equity and sustainability. Hands-on learning, inspired teaching, ground-breaking research, and thought-provoking creative activity happen daily at Humboldt.

Cal Poly Humboldt is a Hispanic-Serving Institution that strives to foster an inclusive and equitable community to support our students of diverse backgrounds. We are committed to achieving the goals of equal opportunity and endeavors to employ faculty and staff of the highest quality committed to working in a multicultural and multiracial community that reflects the diversity of the state.

(Job #545626) Administrator III, Executive Director, Strategic Communications, Salary Range: $82,692 - $265,428 annually. Hiring Range: $120,000 - $135,000 annually. This is a full-time, benefited, exempt, 12-month pay plan permanent position in the Department of Marketing and Communications. This position is an Administrator III in the California State University Management Personnel Plan (MPP). Under this plan, incumbents are subject to normal management reviews and serve at the pleasure of the University President. Additional information can be found at: http://www.calstate.edu/HRAdm/policies/mpp.shtml. This position comes with a premium benefits package that includes outstanding vacation, medical, dental, and vision plans, life insurance, voluntary pre-tax health and dependent care reimbursement accounts, a fee waiver education program, membership in the California Public Employees Retirement System (PERS), and 14 paid holidays per year. Additional benefits information can be found at https://hraps.humboldt.edu/employee-benefits.

Position Summary:

Under the general direction of the Vice President, University Advancement, the Executive Director of Strategic Communications serves as the official voice of Cal Poly Humboldt and shares the President’s vision, values and priorities while articulating a unified message about the university’s unique story. Supervises the News & Information team and is responsible for planning, implementing, and leading integrated, compelling communications strategies that reflect the overall university brand. Expected to actively engage with the community, publicly representing the university and modeling professional written and verbal communication.  Also responsible for maintaining communications industry standards, evaluating evolving audience expectations, and learning the communications preferences of the Cal Poly Humboldt community.

Key Responsibilities:

40%

Serves as the university spokesperson

Manages the creation of and directs strategic communications for the university while providing proactive guidance to departments and units in the creation of their communications strategies and tactics.  Leads emergency and crisis communications and leads crisis communications planning.

Writes and edits speeches, remarks, talking points, scripts, letters, email messages and reports on behalf of senior leadership.

Under the direction of the Vice President, University Advancement, develops communication plans for leadership and strategic priorities.

Working closely with the Director of Marketing,  the News & Information team, and campus communicators, identify opportunities to elevate university leadership priorities and brand messaging in storytelling content.

In collaboration with the Director of Marketing and the News & Information and Creative Services teams within Marketing & Communications, create written, visual and audio content for the web, social media, email and other outlets.

25%

Directs all p