"Senior Director - Communications"

Utah Valley University is seeking a visionary Senior Director of Communications to lead strategic public relations efforts that strengthen and elevate the university's reputation at local, state, regional, and national levels. In this pivotal role, you will serve as UVU's lead media relations strategist and spokesperson-shaping narratives, driving high-impact earned media campaigns, and guiding proactive and responsive communication initiatives.

From positioning and narrative development to crisis communications and influence marketing, you will architect strategies that resonate across traditional and emerging platforms. You'll establish budgets, timelines, and quality standards while fostering trust and collaboration across the university community. This role also offers the opportunity to cultivate strong, lasting relationships with journalists, media outlets, and influencers-ensuring UVU's story is heard, understood, and valued.

Summary of Responsibilities

• Obtains earned media coverage in local, regional and national media outlets by pitching stories, building relationships with reporters, writing press releases, arranging interviews, and finding opportunities to highlight the university's work or leadership. Executes corporate reputation and integrated marketing and communications programs and campaigns. Serves as campus spokesperson together with AVP. This role represents the institution publicly, provides quotes/statements, and may participate in press briefings or interviews alongside the AVP.
• Effectively leads teams with various levels of experience and creates opportunities for team members to learn and grow - promoting and retaining a work climate conductive to success.
• Proactively monitors and addresses emerging organizational issues with speed, sound judgment, and strategic foresight. Develops and implements comprehensive crisis communication plans across traditional and digital channels-ensuring alignment with institutional objectives, minimizing reputational risk, and guiding leadership through high-stakes situations with clarity and consistency.
• Consistently produces high quality internal and external communications content. Researches, outlines, writes, edits and proofreads materials, including presentations, press materials, social media posts, newsletters, and annual reports.
• Forms dynamic teams with creative, account and integrated staff to develop best-in-class work. Directs and supervises marketing personnel, which includes budgets, work allocation, training, promotion, enforcement of internal procedures and controls, and problem resolution; evaluates performance and makes recommendations for personnel actions. Other duties as assigned.