Responsibilities

• Lead the development of a comprehensive communications strategy that aligns the Institute’s mission, research, and real-world impact with clear, measurable outcomes.
• Serve as a strategic thought partner to leadership, particularly in scaling flagship programs and extending their reach and impact.
• Ensure communications efforts are aligned across teams and reflective of the Institute’s priorities.
• Prioritize all communications initiatives – strategic, creative, operational – to drive the highest impact towards our goals and ambitions while balancing constraints.
• Set clear priorities and support the team in delivering meaningful, aligned work.
• Guide leadership in planning for the future structure and resourcing of an advanced communications function.
• Work with leadership, all internal teams, campus-wide communication teams, and external partners to clarify the role and potential of strategic communications within the Institute’s work.
• Translate complex ideas into compelling, accessible narratives for diverse audiences.
• Evolve foundational tools such as brand strategy, audience definition, core messaging, channel strategies, constituent/CRM management, communications policies, and multi-year communications planning.
• Lead a strong differentiated brand strategy that reflects the Institute’s mission, values, and impact through voice, visual identity, and narrative.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, or a related field. Four years of related experience, including supervisory responsibility.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
• Alignment with the Crown Institute's mission, vision, and values.
• Strategic problem solver who can connect mission to action, and action to outcomes.
• Comfortable operating as both a builder and a translator: shaping vision while making it executable. Strong design-thinking orientation paired with data-informed decision-making.
• Experience working across complex, multi-stakeholder environments.
• Demonstrates confidence with humility - the ability to lead while staying open and collaborative. Operates with high integrity and sound judgment, especially in complex or ambiguous environments. Skilled at navigating institutional structures while also expanding what’s possible beyond them. Strong organizational, planning, and prioritization skills.
• Ability to balance long-term strategy with day-to-day responsiveness.

Preferred

• Master’s degree in communications, marketing, or a related field.
• 10 years of communications experience.
• 5+ years of experience in strategic communications, brand, or social impact leadership.
• Experience in CSR/ purpose-led teams within brands or organizations is strongly preferred.
• Experience working in cross-sector settings is valued, particularly where communications drove measurable impact.
• Experience in leading the creation or evolution of a communications function within an organization.
• Software Used: Microsoft Office Suite; database management and data manipulation; Cvent, Salesforce, Zoom, Teams, Academic Impressions, Asana, LinkedIn, Marketing Cloud, Marketplace, Google Workspace.
• Proficiency in digital advertising channels such as Google Ads, SEM, Display, social media, Metasearch, SEO, Email, Web Content, Website Feature Development, and other digital channels.
• Experience with analytics and reporting to measure impact.
• Experience mentoring and building teams across disciplines.

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.