Job Summary
The Division of Natural Sciences encourages applications for the
Senior Communications Specialist position! This role supports the
Division of Natural Sciences (NSCI) in the College of Arts and
Sciences to develop, plan, lead, and coordinate strategic
communications that highlight research, academic programs, student
opportunities, and achievements for an external audience. As a
member of the college communications team, this position serves as
a critical connector between NSCI, college, and university
communications partners to support the reputation, recruitment, and
retention priorities of NSCI, especially as they relate to college
strategic priorities and campus institutional priorities. This
position reports to the assistant dean for communications.
The individual in this role must have a strong communications
background and excellent skills in organization and prioritization.
To facilitate the required activities, the individual must be
knowledgeable of the division and its 14 departments and Public
Health program as well as college and campus communication
strategies and standard processes. Further, the successful
candidate must have a demonstrated ability to independently handle
multiple self-directed projects that may, at times, have contending
priorities and due dates.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all
applicable federal, state, and local laws governing
nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a
workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and
dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to
apply, including protected veterans and individuals with
disabilities.
Who We Are
The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado
Boulder is the intellectual core of the university, conducting
research, scholarship, creative work and education in more than 60
fields. Our research generates new knowledge, solving some of the
world’s most critical problems!
The college leads nationally in undergraduate and graduate
education in the natural sciences, social sciences and arts and
humanities, bringing world-class research and scholarship to our
students, both in and out of the classroom.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
Coordinate and Advance NSCI Communications
- Serve as the primary communications liaison for departments and
programs to coordinate and advance NSCI communication priorities.
Maintain partnerships with communicators in related institutes to
coordinate stories and announcements, and to broaden reach.
Serve as the communications expert advising department
leadership, faculty and staff on communicating department strengths
through compelling storytelling.
Collaborate with department leadership and the college’s
director of editorial communications to find opportunities to
increase NSCI visibility, media engagement and strategic promotion
opportunities.
Advise division and department leadership on defining
objectives, messaging, audiences and metrics for diverse
communications needs across the division.
Advise departments on connecting communications with broader
college priorities, campus institutional priorities and current
events for greater amplification.
Collaborate with college communications colleagues to advise
departments on integrated marketing and communications strategies,
content planning and standard processes across web, social media
and other digital communications channels to advance NSCI.
Facilitate external communications including requests for
interviews, news releases and media requests for experts in
partnership with college and campus communications. Partner with
the university’s Strategic Relations and Communications team to
prepare faculty and staff for positive engagement with the
media.
Identify trends, opportunities and audience insights to inform
communications planning and priorities.
Develop, Produce and Lead NSCI Communications
- Independently design, develop and implement strategic
communications plans in collaboration with department, division and
college communications leadership that address a complex array of
situations, scopes and assignments.
- Produce news articles, web copy, social posts, multimedia and
other content for publication across NSCI, college and campus
channels.
- Provide project development and management to build out the
division’s critical communications infrastructure and strengthen
the division’s visual identity.
- Design products and processes that support departmental
communications needs at scale.
- Work with internal and external partners to ensure messages
reach the intended audiences (media, university leadership,
partners and the public).
- Develop NSCI communications for distribution through the
university email marketing platform.
- Identify, lead and contribute to college communications
campaigns that originate in NSCI, such as new degrees, program name
changes or new program launches.
- Create and curate compelling visuals for social media and
websites within the college’s Digital Asset Management system.
Other
- Regularly analyze and deliver market and audience insights and
tracking to NSCI leadership on reach, digital engagement, and
communications effectiveness.
- Support college communications initiatives and projects as
assigned.
- Participate in professional development activities.
- May supervise student employees supporting communications and
content development activities.
What You Should Know
The work schedule for this hybrid position is Monday-Friday, 8-5
p.m., with a minimum of 3 in-person days per week. May require more
in-person days as needed.
What We Can Offer
The annual salary for this full-time position is $70,900 - $75,000.
Onboarding assistance may be available.
Benefits
At the
University of Colorado Boulder , we are
committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our
employees. Our comprehensive
benefits package includes medical,
dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition
assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local
transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder
offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class
outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through
the
CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communication, public
relations, marketing or another relevant field.
- 3+ years of professional-level experience in journalism,
communications, public relations, marketing or related field.
- A combination of relevant education, training and/or experience
may substitute on a year-for-year basis.
What You Will Need
- Demonstrated commitment to promoting diverse and inclusive
communications and communities.
- Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, political and
geographical differences with the ability to work effectively with
faculty, staff and students from around the world.
- Strong organizational, prioritization and time-management
skills.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks, priorities and deadlines in a
fast-paced and collaborative environment.
- Ability to adapt to changing situations and priorities.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a
complex organizational environment.
What We Would Like You to Have
- 5+ years of professional-level experience in journalism,
communications, public relations, or marketing.
- Experience working in a higher education environment.
- Experience writing and developing content related to research,
science, or other technical subject matter.
- Demonstrated experience developing integrated strategic
communications content across multiple platforms and
audiences.
- Familiarity with email marketing and content management
systems.
- Familiarity with social media platforms.
- Experience using Adobe Creative Suite and/or basic photography
and multimedia tools.
- Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and
support a customer-focused communications environment
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- A current resume.
- A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background
and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and
responsibilities of the position.
We may request references at a later time.
Please apply by
August 18th, 2026 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For
consideration, please apply through
CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in
any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying
information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school
attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting
or removing this information.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources
Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu
