Senior Communications Specialist, Sustainability

Job Summary

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Sustainability (OVCS) at CU Boulder invites applications for a Senior Communications Specialist for Sustainability! This role will support communications efforts implemented on behalf of the OVCS.Reporting to the Director of Communications, Sustainability and Engagement, this position will complete communications and marketing strategies and tactics that are integrated with campaigns facilitated by other team members within the OVCS and across the university that holistically support CU Boulder's commitment and prioritization of sustainability-related initiatives, including supporting communications around the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability.

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 Office of the Vice Chancellor for Sustainability manages a campus-wide sustainability portfolio by coordinating strategic alliances and research partnerships, championing academic collaborations and student sustainability activities, advising on campus operations and the implementation of the CU Boulder Climate Action Plan, integrating the best research practices and Indigenous knowledge into campus planning and design, and playing a lead role in sustainability-related communications, events, and fundraising priorities.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Integrated Marketing

• At the direction of the Director of Communications, Sustainability and Engagement, plan, complete and optimize comprehensive integrated communications and digital marketing strategies to showcase sustainability efforts across campus and with external target audiences.
• Work with cross-functional teams, including constituent experience, strategic communications, social media and strategic events to ensure cohesive and integrated marketing strategies.
• Regularly update and maintain the Sustainability website with relevant and timely content, suited to target audience needs and expectations.
• Advocate for audience-centric marketing tactics and tailor marketing strategies to effectively engage and resonate with each audience.
• Segment target audiences and tailor content for optimal engagement and conversion.

Content Creation

• Draft articles for CU Boulder Today showcasing sustainability stories from across campus.
• Draft email messages for various channels, including Provost Post, newsletters tied to sustainability across campus, and drip campaigns and event promotion for the Carnegie Elective Classification for Sustainability.
• Coordinate interviews and photo/video shoots as appropriate.
• Craft engaging written materials that are optimized for distribution channels.
• Segment target audiences and tailor messages for optimal engagement and conversion.
• Ensure content is aligned with CU Boulder's brand and messaging guidelines.
• Handle individual content calendar in conjunction with team and office-wide content calendars.

Analytics and Optimization

• In collaboration with teams within the office of Strategic Relations and Communications (SRC), ensure marketing data is collected and accessible for analysis and data-driven decision making.
• Monitor trends, audience engagement, analytics and develop key insights to inform integrated marketing campaigns. Insights should inform paid, earned, owned, social, content and experiential strategy.
• Apply systems and analytics tools to track and monitor campaign performance, analyze key metrics and adjust strategies to improve return on investment.
• Collaborate with SRC colleagues to analyze marketing campaign data and provide actionable insights and recommendations.
• Collaborate with SRC colleagues to support sustainability initiatives by evaluating campaign performance as it relates to key conversions, and using data and industry standard processes, recommending how to optimize tactics.

Project Support

• All employees are expected to perform duties outside of their job description as needed. This can include but is not limited to participating in news and media relations efforts, marketing and other paid efforts, strategic event support, supporting crisis communications and participating in other strategic efforts for the OVCS.

What You Should Know

• Traditional business hours (8:00am-5:00pm), with occasional requests for evening and/or weekend event staffing.
• This position will work in a hybrid format with some in-person and some remote work, as prioritized by the business needs of the office.

What We Can Offer

The annual hiring range for this full-time position is $70,900-$75,000.

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

• A bachelor's degree in communications, advertising, marketing, or a related field.
• 3+ years of relevant professional experience including:
  • Coordinating communication projects and/or marketing campaigns for a professional organization.
  • Professional writing experience, including the ability to write concise, compelling content for a variety of communications platforms.

What You Will Need

• Collaborative approach and ability to self-motivate, work in service to others and use marketing and communication as a tool to drive positive impact.
• Excellent verbal communication, organizational, and technical skills.
• Demonstrated ability to thrive independently as well as with a team.
• Ability to translate complex concepts into clear, compelling narratives tailored to varied audiences and institutional contexts.
• Strong attention to detail and shown ability to self-monitor quality control and accuracy.
• Ability to prioritize and implement multiple communication projects and timelines simultaneously.
• Detailed knowledge of grammar.
• Ability to create and publish content across multiple platforms.
• Graphic design proficiency.

What We Would Like You to Have

• 3+ years of professional communication or marketing experience.
• Experience facilitating collaborative work among communication professionals.
• Experience with HTML and/or an HTML content management system, especially Drupal.
• Experience with customer relations management systems, especially Salesforce.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite applications, specifically InDesign, Photoshop and/or Acrobat.
• Experience maintaining and running websites, including updating content, adding pages, and keeping sites up to date and on brand.
• General awareness of the higher education and/or institutional sustainability landscape.
• Foundational understanding of sustainability concepts, key challenges, and solution areas (e.g., climate, energy, circularity, equity).

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A current resume.
2. 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 April 21, 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.