"Director of Communications"

Director of Communications

Company: Auburn University Montgomery

Job Location:

Category: Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs

Type: Full-Time

Vacancy Number: S-01244

Special Instructions to Applicants

Applicants are encouraged to include 2-3 samples of their professional communications work. For each sample, please include a short description outlining:

• The challenge or opportunity addressed,
• The applicant's role in the project, and
• How the communication supported or advanced the institution's goals.

Auburn University at Montgomery reserves the right once interviewing has begun to stop accepting applications.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Director of Communications is a senior leader at Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM) responsible for shaping, coordinating, and advancing the university's internal and external communications strategy. This position ensures that AUM's communications reflect its mission, values, and strategic priorities-building trust, transparency, and pride among students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the broader community.

The Director provides vision and leadership for institutional storytelling, media relations, crisis communication, executive messaging, and campus-wide information flow. This individual serves as a trusted advisor to university leadership and works collaboratively across departments to ensure consistent, timely, and engaging communication with all audiences.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Communications & Leadership

• Develop and execute a comprehensive university communications strategy that advances AUM's reputation and fosters strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Serve as the university's lead communications strategist and primary media spokesperson.
• Counsel the Chancellor, senior leadership, and campus departments on communication matters and institutional messaging.
• Oversee the development of key messages, public statements, executive speeches, and talking points.

Media Relations & Public Affairs

• Manage proactive media engagement and responses to public inquiries.
• Cultivate relationships with local, regional, and higher education media outlets.
• Lead the drafting and distribution of press releases, media advisories, and statements on behalf of the university.
• Coordinate communications in times of crisis, ensuring timely, accurate, and transparent information sharing.

Internal Communications

• Develop and oversee effective internal communication systems to keep faculty, staff, and students informed about key initiatives, policies, and achievements.
• Create platforms for open dialogue and ensure alignment between campus leadership and the broader community.
• Lead initiatives to promote institutional culture, collaboration, and employee engagement through clear and consistent communication.

Institutional Storytelling & Reputation Management

• Identify and share stories that highlight AUM's academic excellence, research, and community impact.
• Partner with university divisions to promote achievements, milestones, and strategic priorities through compelling narratives and clear communication.
• Ensure all communications reflect AUM's values of inclusivity, excellence, and student success.

Crisis and Issues Communication

• Serve as or coordinate AUM's official spokesperson during emergencies and sensitive situations.
• Develop and maintain crisis communication protocols and training.
• Collaborate with university leadership and public safety to ensure readiness for potential communication challenges.

Team Leadership & Collaboration

• Lead and mentor a communications team responsible for media relations, writing, and internal communications.
• Foster collaboration with departments across the university to maintain message alignment and efficiency.
• Manage relationships with external communications consultants or agencies when needed.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated expertise in strategic communications, media relations, and crisis management.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling abilities across a variety of platforms and audiences.
• Strong leadership, project management, and team development skills.
• Ability to communicate complex issues clearly, accurately, and with professionalism.
• Knowledge of higher education environments and an understanding of shared governance and campus communications dynamics.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field (Master's preferred).
• Minimum of 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public affairs, or media relations.
• Proven success developing and implementing strategic communication plans.
• Experience serving as an organizational spokesperson and advising senior leadership.
• Strong writing portfolio demonstrating versatility and strategic impact.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education or large public-sector communications.
• Familiarity with digital communication tools, media monitoring, and crisis communication software.
• Understanding of issues management, public perception analysis, and institutional reputation strategy.

This posting will remain open until closed: Yes

About the University/College

Located in Alabama's vibrant state capital, Auburn University at Montgomery is a fast-growing university on the rise. Don't just take our word for it: The Princeton Review rates us as one of the best colleges in the Southeast, while U.S. News & World Report recently ranked us No. 22 among regional universities in the South for the quality of undergraduate teaching and 38th among all public institutions in the region.

AUBURN UNIVERSITY AT MONTGOMERY IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. It is our policy to provide equal employment and education opportunities for all individuals without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other classification protected by applicable law. The Office of Human Resources/ Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity (AA/EEO) strives to ensure an inclusive and equitable working, living, and learning environment for members of the AUM community.