Overview

The College of Architecture, Design and Construction (CADC) at Auburn University invites applications for the position of Director of Communications & External Relations - a strategic leadership role at a pivotal moment in the college's evolution.

The CADC is advancing an ambitious institutional repositioning. Over the next five years, the college will lead a capital campaign, plan and fundraise for a transformative new research and teaching facility, commission a comprehensive brand identity strategy, develop a new college-wide website, and launch a multi-format publication platform designed to circulate, archive, and amplify faculty and student work nationally and internationally. The Director will play a central role in shaping and communicating this next chapter.

This position is part of a dedicated communications team located within the college and will lead that team under the direction of the Dean. The Director will serve as a strategic partner to the Dean and as a member of the college's leadership circle, guiding the development and execution of a cohesive communications vision aligned with the CADC's long-term academic and philanthropic priorities.

About the CADC

The CADC comprises three schools: the School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture; the McWhorter School of Building Science; and the School of Industrial and Graphic Design. Together, these academic units represent a broad and interconnected range of disciplines-offering nationally and internationally recognized undergraduate and graduate degree programs in architecture, landscape architecture, interior architecture, environmental design, graphic design, industrial design, and building construction.

Position Overview

The CADC seeks a creative leader who understands the intellectual and cultural dimensions of architecture, design, and construction-and can translate complex academic work into compelling public narratives for diverse external audiences.

The Director will lead strategy across marketing, communications, media relations, alumni engagement, digital platforms, and external visibility.

Responsibilities

Strategic Positioning:

• Partner directly with the CADC Dean to define and execute a communications strategy aligned with capital campaign priorities, facilities planning, and institutional repositioning, serving as a senior advisor on institutional messaging and public positioning.
• Lead the college's marketing, communications, public relations, and external engagement initiatives across all schools and programs.
• Serve as a strategic advisor on messaging related to advancement, major gifts, naming opportunities, and donor engagement.
• Work in partnership with the Dean, external strategy consultants, and university partners to steward the development and implementation of a college-wide brand identity system.

External Engagement:

• Strengthen relationships with alumni, industry partners, and key stakeholders through thoughtfully designed programming, events, and communications.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for media inquiries and collaborate closely with Auburn University's central Office of Communications and Marketing.
• Shape and communicate narratives around the college's research, design, and outreach-situating faculty and student work within broader disciplinary and public conversations-across print, digital, video, social, exhibition, and public programming platforms.

Infrastructure & Operations:

• Provide strategic oversight for the CADC website and digital platforms, guiding the design and implementation of a new college website while ensuring clarity, coherence and alignment with broader communications priorities.
• Oversee the launch and cultivation of CADC PRESS, advancing publication initiatives that promote, circulate, and archive faculty and student work.
• Provide leadership, mentorship, and professional development for the college's communications team, including designers, writers, and student staff.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Public Relations, Communications, Marketing, or related field. 10 years of experience in external relations and communications industry related to academic, media, marketing, and/or public relations. 2 years of experience supervising full time employees.

Desired Qualifications & Attributes

• Demonstrated fluency in design culture and the ability to communicate across creative, technical, and construction fields.
• Exceptional writing and editorial judgment, able to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
• Experience leading multi-platform storytelling across digital, print, video, and emerging media.
• Experience supporting advancement and campaign communications in academic, cultural, or design-driven organizations.
• Capacity to operate strategically and tactically within a dynamic, intellectually rigorous, multidisciplinary environment.
• Established relationships with media and communication outlets.