Media and Communications Manager

Description About the Job The Media & Communications Manager is responsible for advancing Colorado Christian University's mission, reputation, and strategic priorities through storytelling, media relations, and institutional communications. Serving as the primary liaison with the University's public relations agencies, this position develops content for internal and external audiences, coordinates media opportunities, supports executive communications initiatives, and identifies compelling stories that highlight the impact of the CCU community. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and University leadership, the Media & Communications Manager serves as a key communications resource across the University, supporting media engagement, press releases, campus announcements, and digital content creation. About CCU Colorado Christian University is the premier interdenominational Christian university in Colorado and the Rocky Mountain region, delivering world class education to thousands of students. The fully accredited, nonprofit University is located in Lakewood, Colorado, a suburb of Denver. Colorado Christian University was founded in 1914 on two principles - grace and truth. CCU's scriptural foundation comes from John 1:17: For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (ESV) CCU's mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth. A leader in higher education, the University has been consistently ranked in the top 2 percent of colleges and universities nationwide for its core curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. CCU has had nine consecutive years of enrollment growth and has been named one of the five fastest-growing master's granting universities by The Chronicle of Higher Education. CCU offers more than 200 degree program options for traditional and adult students through its College of Undergraduate Studies and College of Adult and Graduate Studies. More than 10,000 students attend the University on the main campus, in regional centers throughout Colorado, and online. Scripture states all Christians are called to serve Christ and to minister to others. Because Christians are individuals with different gifts and callings, we serve Christ in a variety of ministry vocations. CCU invites you to explore how you may use your calling and gifts at the University. What is most appealing about working at CCU? Faith-friendly: CCU's culture is unique to higher education. Where else can you pursue academic excellence yet read the Holy Bible, pray with teammates and students at work, and work to impact our culture in support of Christian values? Convictionally Christian: As a university, we have an enduring commitment to Christ, his kingdom and the truth of God's Word. Live out your calling: We are a traditional evangelical university where you can invest your God-given talents and abilities alongside coworkers and teammates, while having a profound influence on students as they deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ. Equip students for kingdom work: You can be a part of helping students discover their callings and preparing them for positions of significant leadership in the church, business, government, education, and other professions, as a key part of our University's Strategic Priorities. We're looking for candidates who have: A bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, English, or a related field. 3-5 years of professional experience in communications, public relations, journalism, media relations, content development, or a related field. Exceptional writing, editing, and interviewing skills, with the ability to develop compelling stories for a variety of audiences and platforms. Experience coordinating media relations efforts, writing press releases, and working with external media partners or public relations agencies. Demonstrated ability to identify, cultivate, and develop story opportunities by building relationships across an organization. Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Ability to work collaboratively and interact effectively with senior leadership, faculty, staff, students, alumni, media representatives, and external constituents. Experience developing content for digital platforms, including websites, email communications, social media, and basic video content. Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint. Familiarity with basic video capture and video editing tools (preferred). Knowledge of higher education communications, earned media strategies, and nonprofit storytelling (preferred). Demonstrated ability to responsibly leverage artificial intelligence (AI) tools to enhance research, content development, editing, and workflow efficiency while maintaining accuracy, originality, sound judgment, and adherence to University policies and professional standards. High standards for quality and professionalism and is committed to advancing the mission and values of CCU through effective communication and storytelling. Key Job Duties Develop and execute media and communications strategies that advance Colorado Christian University's mission, reputation, and strategic priorities. Serve as the primary liaison with the University's public relations agency, Centennial Institute's public relations agency, coordinating story development, media opportunities, interviews, and earned media initiatives. Identify, cultivate, and develop compelling stories across the University by building relationships with faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, and University leadership while maintaining an active pipeline of story opportunities. Write, edit, and distribute press releases, feature stories, media advisories, website content, and other institutional communications materials. Coordinate and support media engagement activities, including responding to media inquiries, facilitating interviews, and coordinating with on-campus media visits. Develop and manage content for internal and external audiences, ensuring messaging is accurate, timely, mission-aligned, and consistent with University priorities. Produce and coordinate the President's Friday Five and other recurring executive communications initiatives. Capture and edit basic video and podcast content to support storytelling, communications, and digital content needs across the University. Collaborate with Communications and Creative Services, Enrollment Marketing, University Advancement, the Office of the President, and other campus partners to support strategic communications objectives. Successfully prioritize and execute multiple communications projects simultaneously in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment while maintaining high standards of quality, professionalism, and customer service. Leverage artificial intelligence (AI) tools responsibly to enhance research, content development, editing, and workflow efficiency while maintaining accuracy, originality, sound judgment, and adherence to University policies and professional standards. Monitor media coverage, track earned media results and provide reports and recommendations to support continuous improvement of communications efforts. Maintain high standards of service, professionalism, responsiveness, and confidentiality when representing the University and interacting with internal and external stakeholders. Other duties as assigned. Mission Contribution CCU's mission is Christ-centered higher education transforming students to impact the world with grace and truth. In this role, the Media & Communications Manager contributes to that mission by identifying, developing, and communicating stories that reflect the University's impact, mission, and distinctively Christian identity. Through strategic storytelling, media relations, executive communications, and institutional messaging, this role helps ensure that CCU's voice is communicated with excellence, accuracy, and purpose. By cultivating meaningful relationships across the University and promoting the achievements of its students, faculty, staff, and alumni, the Media & Communications Manager helps inform, inspire, and engage key audiences while reinforcing CCU's commitment to academic excellence and faithful Christian witness. Work Environment While performing the duties of this job, you may be required to walk, stand, sit, reach with hands and arms, balance, stoop, speak with clarity, and have appropriate vision and hearing capabilities. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. You may be required to work occasional irregular hours, including some nights and weekends. Colorado Christian University expects all faculty and staff to become a part of the University community by participating in activities and events that occur on the campus throughout the year, which may occur during evenings and weekends. What we offer our employees: We offer competitive compensation and benefits packages to all employees. Our benefit package includes: a tuition waiver program, excellent healthcare, generous paid time off, matching 403(b) retirement plan, and additional organizational paid benefits and voluntary benefit offerings. Pay and benefits will be discussed in more detail as candidates progress through the interview process. The pay range for this job is: $55,000 - $65,000 annually and is assigned by reviewing a combination of job-related factors that may include: internal/external pay equity, the salary structure/pay grade, or a candidate's qualifications/experience for the job. A wage range posted is not a guarantee of a specific wage and CCU reserves the right to make pay decisions based on economic and equity considerations. CCU does not determine pay based on sex or any other protected status. Application Status Applications will be accepted until position is filled. Spiritual Requirements Committed follower of Jesus Christ, who believes there is no salvation apart from faith in his atonement on the cross, by grace alone becoming "born again" thus beginning a personal relationship with Christ, the Son of God. Able to effectively communicate personal faith and apply biblical principles and convictions in the workplace. Must have a strong sense of calling to the ministry of Colorado Christian University. Regularly attend and be engaged in meaningful involvement in a Bible-believing evangelical local church. Knowledgeable about the Word of God and passionate about Christian education. Must be a traditional evangelical Christian whose lifestyle is in consonance with sound Christian principles, is compatible with CCU's Statement of Faith, and is in agreement with the Strategic Priorities promulgated by the University. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Colorado Christian University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status. CCU is committed to an environment free from discrimination and harassment and calls on every member of the university community to be vigilant in deterring and reporting all violations. CCU does reserve the right to exercise preference on the basis of religion in all of its employment practices. All employees who work at CCU must demonstrate a spiritual testimony consistent with our evangelical mission and follow our lifestyle expectations.