Director, Operations Communications

Department

OPS Operations, Strategy, and Finance - Communications

About the Department

The Office of the Vice President for Operations supports the highest ambitions of the University’s teaching and learning, research, and engagement goals with the mandate to oversee enabling infrastructure of the University including the built environment, technology, and human resources organizations. In support of faculty, students, and staff, the Office of the Vice President for Operations prioritizes an exceptional level of service and delivery of robust business practices that steward the University’s infrastructure resources efficiently and contributes to the long-range planning and culture of the University.

Job Summary

The Director of Operations Communications is responsible for developing and implementing internal communications strategies for the University of Chicago’s Office of the Vice President of Operations, which includes Information Technology Services, Human Resources, the Department of Safety and Security, and Facilities Services. Their core responsibility is to create and deliver communications that advance Operations’ day-to-day and long-term priorities, both within Operations and to the broader campus community. The Director is instrumental in driving campus awareness of Operations’ resources and providing change-management communications for new policies, initiatives, and priority projects.

Through unified communications with the campus community, Operations Communications will ensure transparent communications on major Operations projects, resources and initiatives, such as technology upgrades, construction and traffic impacts, sustainability initiatives, and policy and benefits information, while fostering strong department collaboration and actively engaging campus partners. This role leads communications for IT Services to help advance IT priorities and initiatives. This role also supports Operations-specific channels, as well as the development of Operations content for University-wide channels. During periods of change and as urgent matters arise in IT Services, this position is responsible for delivering timely and accurate information to stakeholders, in collaboration with the Office of Communications, with the information they need, often beyond business hours.

The Director leads and supervises a team of communications professionals and establishes communication processes and standards for IT Services communications. This includes establishing best-in-class processes, templates, and standards for consistent university-wide messaging. This role reports to the Executive Director of Operations Communications.

Responsibilities

• Provides strategic leadership and supervises a team of communications professionals supporting IT Services to establish consistent messaging, templates, and standards for both unit-level and campuswide communications. 
• Sets comprehensive communications goals, KPIs, and performance standards to build a high-performing and collaborative team culture.
• Champions professional growth, mentorship, and succession planning for direct reports.
• Supports branding and identity initiatives, ensuring alignment with University-wide standards and the development of new templates for consistency across all Operations internal and external communications channels.
• Fosters a strong and inclusive culture within the Operations communications team.
• Manages Operations web presence on the University’s intranet and contributes content to the UChicago Citizen newsletter. 
• Develops communications strategies, messages, and supporting materials for significant Operations initiatives, in partnership with Executive Director.
• Creates and sustains collaborative partnerships with other communicators and stakeholders on campus and with external partners.
• Oversees the development and coordination of IT Services plans, messages and leadership announcements to advance organizational changes.
• Provides strategic communications and project management support to IT Services initiatives, including communications planning, timeline and milestone development, goals and measurement, assistance with resource allocation. 
• Partners with IT Services Senior Leadership Team, working closely with the Chief Information Officer (CIO) to develop campus-wide communications strategy advancing key IT priorities and IT transformation initiatives, including generative AI and identity and access management modernization.
• Provides internal communications strategy support to inform staff of key tasks and deadline related to HR, internal processes, and organizational changes.
• Oversees the editorial calendar and publication of the HR Headlines newsletter and manages other communications channels for the Uni