Director Of Marketing & Communications

Director of Marketing & Communications

The Colleges of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) unites strategy, operations and campus innovation across the Colleges of Humanities, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Science. Established in 2025, LAS is increasing the impact of staff functions across campus as well as to meet the challenges and opportunities in higher education. The Director of Marketing and Communications will be joining a high-functioning, ambitious team that is working to create a culture of excellence and effectiveness. It is a period of exploration and growth in LAS, and the Director of Marketing and Communications will be a vital piece of this growth.

The Director of Marketing and Communications will lead a united LAS Marketing and Communications team. The first priority of this position is to align the new LAS Marketing and Communications team corresponding with the vision of current marcomms leadership and the Vice Provost/Senior Dean. This role will finalize an organizational model for marketing, public relations, and communications professionals, as well as work closely with staff on a new alignment of job duties and unit goals. The successful candidate will need to work pragmatically with staff and the LAS team to establish an LAS scope of work, team responsibilities, short- and long-term goals, and maintain a high level of productivity. This position will set organizational goals and work collaboratively with partners across campus and LAS units. An ability to prioritize tasks and work collaboratively with LAS colleges and staff will be essential. This position will report directly to Vice Provost Peter Trapa.

Responsibilities

• Spearhead the development of LAS Marketing and Communications strategy and vision.
• Implement and supervise a LAS marcomms team, uniting staff from across LAS colleges (Humanities, Social & Behavioral Science, and Science).
• Develop a plan to work collaboratively with LAS academic units to provide standardization of marketing and communications efforts.
• Develop a workflow system to meet the needs of LAS units.
• Collaborate across marketing teams to create integrated communications strategies that support marketing campaigns, such as with Advancement, Enrollment Management, or Student Success.
• Work closely with the LAS leadership team and university partners to establish an exemplary model for marcomms operations at the University of Utah, including identifying pathways to highlight stories and projects in LAS colleges.
• Ensure the consistent enforcement and optimization of brand standards across LAS units to comply with university guidelines.
• Assist LAS leadership in defining organizational goals and strategic plans and lead on executive communications strategy.
• Other duties as assigned

This job description is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or related area, or equivalency (one year of education can be substituted for two years of related work experience); eight years of progressively more responsible management experience; and demonstrated leadership, human relations and effective communications skills required.
• Applicants must demonstrate the potential ability to perform the essential functions of the job as outlined in the position description.

Preferences

• An enthusiastic approach to the goals and objectives of LAS.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with a considerable amount of marketing, public relations, and/or communications experience.
• Strong leadership skills and the ability to work with a wide variety of people.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both oral and written.
• Exceptional time management skills.
• Capable of effectively managing multiple duties and competing deadlines with minimal supervision.
• Comfortable working on both multifaceted projects and daily details to support operational functions.
• Flexibility and willingness to help where needed.
• Ability to foster a collaborative work culture supportive of people of all backgrounds.

The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and patients from all backgrounds and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education and quality healthcare for historically underrepresented students and patients.

All qualified individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.

The University of Utah is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.