Communications Manager, College of Business

Working Title: Communications Manager, College of Business

State Role Title: Public Relations and Marketing Specialist III

Position Type: Full-time Staff (Classified)

Position Status: Full-Time

FLSA Status: Exempt: Not Eligible for Overtime

 

College/Division: College of Business

Department: 100674 - COB-Differential Tuition

 

Pay Band: 4

Pay Rate: Pay Range

Specify Range or Amount: $50,000 - $56,000 

 

Is this a JMU only position? No

Is this a grant-funded position? No

Is this a Conflict of Interest designated position? No

 

Beginning Review Date: 08/22/2026

 

About JMU:

At James Madison University (JMU), we’re more than just a publicly funded institution — we’re a vibrant, welcoming community located on a stunning campus where innovation, collaboration, and personal growth thrive. Our mission is to prepare students for a bright future, and we believe that starts with supporting the people who make it all possible: our employees.

Why Work at JMU?
We offer a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your professional journey and personal wellbeing:
• Generous Leave: Enjoy paid vacation, sick leave, parental leave, community service leave, and 19 paid holidays annually.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Access high-quality health insurance options that fit your needs.
• Retirement Options: Plan for your future with retirement benefits through the Virginia Retirement System.
• Employee Well-Being: Our Balanced Dukes program promotes wellness and work-life integration through resources, events, and support.
• Tuition Waiver Program: Advance your education with our tuition waiver program for undergraduate and graduate courses taken at JMU.

At JMU, we believe in Being the Change — and that starts with creating an environment where you can grow, contribute meaningfully, and feel supported every step of the way.

Discover what makes JMU a great place to work: bit.ly/JMUEmployment

 

General Information:

The Communications Lead at the College of Business is a strategic storyteller and brand ambassador who is responsible for developing and implementing multi-channel communication strategies that elevate the college’s reputation, engage a broad range of stakeholders, and support key initiatives such as enrollment, alumni and donor relations, and research visibility. The ideal candidate blends creativity with analytics, has a deep appreciation for higher education, and excels at turning complex ideas into accessible, engaging content.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with the development of a content strategy aligned with the college strategic priorities and the resulting communication goals
• Collaborate with college schools/ centers/programs/departments to plan and develop content for their program needs
• Directly support content development with the writing of articles, press releases and internal communications
• Engage in active prospecting – connecting with college faculty/ staff and university partners as well as scanning other lead sources for story ideas
• Collect, monitor and analyze performance metrics for articles and e-newsletters, and suggest improvements accordingly
• Work with the graphic designer to provide content for webpages and collateral. Further support the role with event promotion by creating body copy for web portals, invitations, ads, etc.
• Work with team members in developing social media campaign ideas and video storyboards that support broader communication goals
• Other duties as assigned

 

Qualifications:

• Proven leadership, communication and analytical skills
• Previous work experience with interviewing, story identification, news reporting, and feature writing
• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills with a demonstrated knowledge of AP Guidelines
• Demonstrated experience with MS Office, Google Docs, and Adobe Acrobat editor
• Proven experience in journalism, english, communications, marketing or related field is beneficial but not required

 

Additional Posting Information:

Please attach a resume, cover letter, and