Communications Partnerships Manager

Carolina for social mobility by The Wall Street Journal — helping first-generation and lower-income students find paths to prosperity. Designated an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University by the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, UNCG is a community-engaged research institution with a portfolio of more than $67M in research and creative activity. The University's 2,600 staff help create an annual economic impact for the Piedmont Triad region in excess of $1B.

Primary Purpose of the Organizational Unit:

University Advancement elevates UNCG's reputation, advances institutional strategy, and fosters community pride through integrated communications aligned with its public mission as a student-centered research university. The department develops and executes strategic communications and marketing initiatives that enhance visibility, engage key audiences, and convey the University's distinctive value. Working across schools, colleges, and administrative units, University Communications manages media relations, marketing campaigns, content strategy, branding, digital engagement, sponsorships, and crisis communications.

Position Summary:

Working collaboratively with editorial, creative, digital, web, media, multimedia, and marketing professionals, the Communications Partnership Manager ensures communications initiatives are strategically planned, appropriately prioritized, and aligned with institutional priorities, University brand standards, and the needs of key audiences. Through strategic partnership, project management, and integrated communications leadership, this role strengthens the University's reputation while advancing the unique mission and goals of an assigned portfolio of schools, colleges, and university units.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, English, or related field.
• Minimum four (4) years of progressively responsible communications experience.
• Experience developing communications plans and leading communications initiatives.
• Strong project management skills and ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills.
• Experience building collaborative partnerships.
• Experience working within a multidisciplinary communications environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Higher education communications experience.
• Experience with digital communications, analytics, content strategy, and web governance.
• Experience with Monday.com or similar project management platforms.
• Knowledge of accessibility, AP Style, and brand standards.
• Experience with AI-enabled communications tools.

Recruitment Range:

$72,000 - $76,000

Org #-Department:

University Communications - 33901

Job Open Date:

10/14/2026

Job Close Date:

11/04/2026

Open Until Filled:

No

FTE:

1.000

Type of Appointment:

Permanent

Number of Months per Year:

12

FLSA:

Exempt

Percentage Of Time:

35

Key Responsibility:

Strategic Communications & Academic Partnership

Essential Tasks:

• Serve as the communications liaison and advisor to academic/administrative leadership across an assigned portfolio of schools, colleges, and University units. Develop and maintain expert understanding of all units within the portfolio, including but not limited to: audiences, pride points, faculty and student achievements, research, degree and program offerings, marketing, and media opportunities.
• In partnership with unit leadership, develop and implement comprehensive annual strategic communications plans that support unit and University goals.
• Build and maintain collaborative partnerships across University Communications to ensure the successful implementation of communications plans.

Percentage Of Time:

30%

Key Responsibility:

Project Management & Integrated Communications Leadership

Essential Tasks:

• Lead planning, coordination, and project management of communications initiatives.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for communications projects.
• Coordinate editorial, creative, digital, web, media, photography, videography, and other communications resources.
• Develop project briefs, scope, timelines, and resource plans.
• Monitor progress, risks, and priorities while communicating updates.
• Utilize the University's project management platform and established workflows throughout the project lifecycle.
• Evaluate completed initiatives to improve future planning and partner experience.

Percentage Of Time:

20%

Key Responsibility:

Consultation, Cross-Functional Partnership & Strategy Alignment

Essential Tasks:

• Develop integrated communications strategies.
• Collaborate on audience-centered content across all communications channels.
• Ensure communications meet brand, accessibility, editorial, and digital standards.
• Recommend messaging, channels, and communications approaches.
• Use analytics and audience insights to improve communications.
• Identify proactive storytelling opportunities.
• Stay current on higher education trends, AI-enabled tools, and emerging technologies.

Percentage Of Time:

10%

Key Responsibility:

Communications Team Collaboration & Planning

Essential Tasks:

• Foster partnerships across academic and administrative units.
• Participate in communications planning and portfolio discussions.
• Champion continuous improvement and workflow enhancements.
• Support the adoption of project management and communications best practices.

Percentage Of Time:

5%

Key Responsibility:

Professional Development & Leadership

Essential Tasks:

Pursue ongoing professional development. Share knowledge and best practices. Demonstrate leadership through collaboration and accountability. Mentor students, interns, or school-based communications staff when appropriate. Contribute to a positive, inclusive, collaborative team culture.

Physical Effort:

Eye-hand coordination - C, Hearing - C, Talking - C, Standing - O, Sitting - C, Walking - O

Work Environment:

Inside - C

Organization

UNCG at a Glance

Founded in 1891, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro is the largest and most diverse state university in the Piedmont Triad. Standing apart from other universities, the UNCG community is joined together by a shared value: We define excellence not only by the people we attract, but by the meaningful contributions they make.

With more than 19,400 students and 2,500 faculty and staff, UNCG is the largest state university in the Piedmont Triad and has an annual economic impact of more than $1 billion. The campus has grown to include 30 residence halls and 30 academic buildings on 210 acres.

UNCG takes pride in being a learner-centered public research university. The College of Arts & Sciences and seven professional schools offer 79 undergraduate majors, 65 master's programs and 30 doctoral programs.

The university holds two classifications from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, as a "research university with high research activity" and for "community engagement" in curriculum, outreach and partnerships. More than $35 million in grants and contracts for research and creative activity are awarded to faculty members annually. Among the most prominent of UNCG's research initiatives are the Gateway University Research Park and the Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering. Both are partnerships with North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

Globalization of the curriculum has expanded opportunities for international education, through new programs such as the UNC Exchange Program and the Lloyd International Honors College. In addition, innovative signature programs such as Building Entrepreneurial Learning for Life (BELL), Communication Across the Curriculum, Undergraduate Research and Freshman Seminars enhance the student experience.

As a cultural leader, UNCG offers concerts, lectures, dance and theater performances, exhibitions at the internationally known Weatherspoon Art Museum and readings by nationally known authors. In athletics, Spartan teams compete in nine women's and nine men's sports in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. With ethnic minority students making up 26 percent of the student body, UNCG is the most diverse of the UNC system's historically white campuses.

Although much has changed, some things remain the same. The university motto — "Service" — continues to be a guiding principle put into practice through all aspects of university life.

UNCG Schools and College of Arts & Sciences

The University's Academic Affairs Division consists of seven academic schools, the College of Arts & Sciences, the Graduate School and the Lloyd International Honors College. The names below are the ones currently in use. In some cases, the names have changed since the academic units were founded. The schools and their dates of establishment are: Graduate School 1921-22; College of Arts & Sciences 1969, Lloyd International Honors College 2005, Joint School of Nanoscience & Nanoengineering 2007, Joseph M. Bryan School of Business & Economics 1969, School of Education 1921, School of Health and Human Sciences 2011, School of Music, Theatre and Dance 2010, and School of Nursing 1966.

Achievements & Accolades

UNCG is garnering national attention and awards for its challenging academic programs, supportive environment and engaged community. Take a look at some of our latest accomplishments and meaningful contributions on campus, in the community and around the globe. Curious about more accolades, achievements, our student body, faculty and staff excellence and other signs of our success? Find out more at UNCG Now: http://newsandfeatures.uncg.edu/.

Challenging Academic Programs

U.S. News & World Report ranked three UNCG online programs among the best in the nation in the 2015 list of Best Online Programs.

UNCG's slate of online programs has earned a top 10 ranking for affordability from BestColleges.com.

The graduate program in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies has earned a Top 10 ranking by the The HDFS Report.

Supportive Environment

UNCG is a Military Friendly School for the fourth straight year, putting it in the top 15 percent of colleges and universities nationwide that are doing the most to support veterans and ensure their success.

UNCG is ranked among the best colleges for your money nationwide by College Factual, a new site that guides students through the college selection process.

The Education Trust singles out UNCG among the nation's universities for its success at closing the gap in graduation rates between black and white students.

Engaged Community

For the fifth year in a row, UNCG has earned the "Tree Campus USA" designation for promoting healthy trees and encouraging the spirit of conservation.

UNCG's innovative dynamic mailbox system has been honored as one of University Business Magazine's Models of Efficiency.

For the eighth consecutive year, UNCG is highlighted on Washington Monthly's list of American universities that contribute most to the public good.

Careers at UNCG

UNCG is committed to the creation of an inclusive, collaborative and responsive university by attracting, retaining and developing a diverse community of talented individuals in support of the university's mission.