Sr Dir for Mktg, Comm, and PR

Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,100 faculty and more than 7,700 full-time staff. The University's enrollment exceeds 41,000 students including over 31,000 undergraduates and over 10,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 19 schools and colleges, including our newly established School of Medicine.

About the College/Unit/Department

The University of Georgia College of Pharmacy is a distinguished leader in pharmacy education, research, and service at the regional, national, and international levels. Primarily situated on the University of Georgia campus in Athens, the College also has extended campuses in Albany, Augusta, Savannah, and Metro Atlanta (Gwinnett). The College offers nationally recognized pharmacy and pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences, experimental therapeutics, social and administrative sciences, and regulatory sciences degree programs and provides a rigorous, research-based curriculum taught by accomplished faculty in an experiential learning environment. Enrollment across the undergraduate, professional and graduate degree levels in degree programs, minors, and certificates approaches 1000 students. Faculty and students are engaged in groundbreaking research spanning drug discovery, pharmacology, clinical pharmacy, and other areas that advance healthcare and medicine. Clinical training is provided through a network of sites across Georgia through established partnerships and agreements. Consistently ranked among the nation's top colleges of pharmacy, including 16th among 140 pharmacy programs by U.S. News & World Report, the College is committed to excellence in education, research, and service. For more information, visit https://rx.uga.edu/.

College/Unit/Department website: https://rx.uga.edu/

Posting Type: External

Retirement Plan: TRS or ORP

Employment Type: Employee

Benefits Eligibility: Benefits Eligible

Full/Part time: Full Time

Additional Schedule Information: Typical work hours are Monday through Friday; however, this position is expected to maintain flexibility to support college events, alumni and donor activities, commencement ceremonies, recruitment and outreach initiatives, media opportunities, and time-sensitive communications that may occur outside of normal business hours. Occasional travel to extended campuses and other university locations may be required.

Advertised Salary: Commensurate with Experience

Posting Date: 09/10/2026

Open until filled: Yes

Proposed Starting Date: 11/01/2026

Location of Vacancy: Athens Area

EEO Policy Statement

The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom.

Classification Title: Comms Officer-Coll/Div

FLSA: Exempt

FTE: 1.00

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent and 8 years of professional experience

Preferred Qualifications

Three or more years of supervisory experience is preferred.

Position Summary

This position serves as the chief communications and marketing officer for the University of Georgia College of Pharmacy, providing strategic leadership and oversight for all marketing, branding, communications, and public relations efforts. Guided by the College's mission and strategic priorities, the Senior Director develops and executes a comprehensive communications strategy that strengthens the College's reputation, visibility, and engagement with key stakeholders.

Operating with a high degree of independent judgment, the Senior Director leads integrated communications across digital, print, web, social media, media relations, publications, and special events. The position oversees brand management, content strategy, storytelling, and stakeholder engagement initiatives while ensuring consistency and alignment across the College. The Senior Director supervises communications staff, establishes priorities and performance expectations, represents the College's communications interests at the university level, and provides strategic counsel to college leadership.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of strategic communications, marketing, and brand management principles
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to develop and mentor staff
• Expertise in media relations, crisis communications, and executive communications
• Excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills, including AP style proficiency
• Knowledge of digital communications, social media strategy, and analytics
• Ability to translate complex academic/research content into compelling messaging
• Strong project management and organizational skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with senior leadership, faculty, and external stakeholders
• High level of discretion, judgment, and professionalism

Physical Demands

• Extended periods of computer use
• Occasional lifting of materials up to 20 lbs
• Some travel may be required

Is driving a responsibility of this position?: No

Is this a Position of Trust?: Yes

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources?: Yes

Does this position require a P-Card?: No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position?: No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care?: No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications): Yes

Credit and P-Card policy

Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy

Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Strategic Communications Leadership:

• Develop, lead, and continuously refine a comprehensive, multi-channel marketing and communications strategy aligned with the College of Pharmacy's strategic plan and institutional priorities.
• Serve as the chief architect of the College's communications vision, ensuring consistency and alignment across all internal and external messaging.
• Establish annual and long-term communications goals, performance metrics (KPIs), and evaluation frameworks to assess effectiveness and guide strategy adjustments.
• Advise the Dean and executive leadership on communications strategy, reputation management, and messaging for high-priority initiatives and issues.
• Lead and enforce brand governance, ensuring all communications adhere to UGA and College identity standards.
• Identify emerging trends and recommend strategic innovations in digital communications, higher education marketing, and healthcare-related messaging.
• Oversee communications and marketing budget planning and resource allocation.

Percentage of time: 30

Content Development & Storytelling:

• Direct, oversee, and provide final editorial review and approval of high-impact content, including news stories, feature articles, research communications, and executive messaging.
• Establish editorial priorities and content strategy for College publications, ensuring alignment with recruitment, advancement, and reputation goals.
• Guide storytelling initiatives that translate complex academic, research, and clinical content into clear and compelling narratives.
• Collaborate with faculty and leadership to identify, prioritize, and elevate key stories and institutional achievements.
• Ensure consistency in messaging, quality, voice, and tone across all communications outputs.

Percentage of time: 20

Digital and Media Strategy:

• Establish and implement a multichannel digital communications strategy.
• Develop performance metrics (KPIs) for digital communications and assess effectiveness to inform strategic decisions, optimize outcomes, and ensure alignment with institutional priorities.
• Oversee media relations strategy, including messaging, press engagement, and management of external communications opportunities.

Percentage of time: 15

Internal Communications & Engagement:

• Establish and implement an internal communications strategy to ensure alignment, transparency, and engagement across faculty, staff, and students.
• Oversee internal communications channels
• Support organizational initiatives through clear and effective communication strategies.
• Collaborate with administrative units to ensure timely, consistent dissemination of critical information.

Percentage of time: 15

Leadership Support & Supervision:

• Provide executive-level communications support to the Dean, including speeches, presentations, and strategic messaging.
• Supervise communications staff to ensure timely, high-quality delivery of all communications outputs.
• Represent the College in university-wide communications initiatives and coordinate with central UGA communications teams.

Percentage of time: 20

Contact Details

For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.

Recruitment Contact Name: Ashley Townsend

Recruitment Contact Email: amtown@uga.edu