(Auraria) Deputy Chief of Marketing & Communications

Department Information: This is a Non-Classified position with the Auraria Higher Education Center. Auraria Campus serves 38,000 students and about 5,000 faculty and staff across the Community College of Denver, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and the University of Colorado Denver. Employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including paid vacation, holidays, sick leave, multiple medical/dental/vision options, discounted RTD Pass, BenefitHub, and a retirement plan. Job Summary The Deputy Chief of Marketing & Communications reports to the Chief of Staff and serves as a senior strategic leader, advancing institutional priorities through integrated marketing, communications, brand strategy, and stakeholder engagement. The role provides executive leadership, strategic direction, and governance for the Marketing & Communications function, overseeing staff, driving cross-functional collaboration, and ensuring timely, high‑quality execution of campaigns and deliverables. Essential Job Functions Strategic Communication and Executive Counsel Provides strategic leadership for the integrated marketing and communications function, ensuring alignment with organizational priorities. Advises the Senior Leadership Team on strategic communications, reputation management, stakeholder engagement, issues management, organizational change, and messaging strategy. Develops and oversees executive communications, including speeches, presentations, media advisories, talking points, briefing materials, key messages, and public‑facing communications. Ensures communication strategies are proactive, coordinated, timely, accurate, audience‑centered, and aligned with agency priorities. Serves as strategic advisor to the Chief of Staff and executive leadership on communications implications of organizational decisions, policy initiatives, operational changes, and emerging issues. Represents the agency on executive committees, cross‑functional leadership teams, and external stakeholder groups as assigned. Internal Communications Oversees strategy, editorial direction, content development, and distribution of agency‑wide internal communications to foster employee engagement, transparency, and alignment. Partners with department leaders to ensure communications are clear, strategic, accurate, and consistent across the agency. Identifies opportunities to inform and engage employees through newsletters, digital platforms, web content, and targeted campaigns. Establishes and manages communication review and approval processes to ensure messaging is vetted and aligned with priorities. Campus Relations and Multi‑institutional Communications Leads collaboration and information‑sharing between AHEC and partner institution communication leaders to coordinate campus‑wide messaging and support shared priorities. Oversees communications related to campus operations, major events, incidents, and initiatives affecting multiple institutions. Leads and convenes campus communication forums and committees to foster collaboration and alignment on initiatives. Negotiates and resolves communications issues involving multiple stakeholders where interests may conflict. External Communications and Media Relations Leads development and dissemination of timely, accurate, and strategic external communications, including media statements, press releases, public announcements, website content, and executive messaging. Serves as primary point of contact for media relations and manages responses to external inquiries and reputational issues. Develops and implements communication strategies to strengthen public trust and stakeholder awareness. Coordinates messaging with internal departments and external partners to ensure consistency and responsiveness. Public Information and Crisis Communications Acts as Public Information Officer (PIO) or designee during emergencies, crises, or high‑profile issues. Collaborates with campus law enforcement, emergency personnel, and executive leadership to coordinate emergency messaging. Develops and oversees internal and external communication strategies, including crisis protocols. Serves as agency spokesperson, preparing executive‑level talking points and speeches during crises. Coordinates activation of a Joint Information Center (JIC) when necessary for unified communications. Develops protocols for sensitive, high‑profile, or controversial issues. Marketing, Brand Strategy, and Creative Services Provides strategic oversight of marketing, branding, creative services, and campaign execution to support agency priorities. Establishes agency‑wide marketing and audience engagement strategies and ensures alignment with organizational goals. Ensures consistent stewardship of brand, visual identity, messaging standards, and audience strategy across platforms. Partners with departments to identify objectives, develop marketing strategies, and implement solutions that drive measurable outcomes. Digital Communications, Website, and Social Media Strategy Oversees digital communications strategy, website governance, content management, usability, and brand consistency. Ensures agency websites and digital tools remain current, accurate, and strategically aligned. Provides oversight of social media strategy, content planning, audience engagement, and analytics. Establishes metrics and evaluates performance through analytics, reporting, and continuous improvement. Leadership, Governance, and Organizational Strategy Establishes strategic vision, priorities, goals, and performance measures for Marketing & Communications. Cultivates partnerships with leadership, departments, vendors, and stakeholders to advance priorities. Supports initiatives through strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, survey analysis, planning, and change management. Manages departmental budgets, resources, contracts, and vendor relationships. Develops communication policies, standards, governance processes, and brand guidelines for consistency and compliance. Provides leadership and oversight to subordinate managers. Performs other duties as assigned. Application Requirements Completed online application, resume, and cover letter. Cover letter must describe how education and experience meet minimum and preferred qualifications. Must possess a valid, unencumbered Colorado driver’s license at the time of application. Failure to submit a complete application may result in removal from consideration. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, public administration, organizational leadership, business administration, or a related field. Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, marketing, media relations, public affairs, or a related field, including demonstrated experience communicating across multiple platforms and audiences. Five (5) years of experience supervising staff, managing programs or projects, and completing cross‑functional initiatives in a complex organization. Demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic communications, executive communications, media relations, crisis communications, or stakeholder engagement strategies. Experience drafting, editing, and reviewing high‑level written communications, including executive messaging, public‑facing materials, speeches, talking points, media responses, and organizational communications. Must maintain a valid, unencumbered Colorado driver’s license. Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in communications, public administration, marketing, higher education, organizational leadership, business administration, or a related field. Experience in higher education, government, public sector, nonprofit, or similarly complex, mission‑driven organizations. Experience collaborating across multiple institutions or organizations to coordinate communications and shared messaging. Experience serving in a public information, crisis communications, emergency management, or incident communications role. Experience advising executive leadership on communications strategy, reputation management, organizational change, or stakeholder engagement. Experience managing external media relations, public affairs, or high‑profile public communications issues. Experience supervising communications, marketing, or creative professionals and fostering team development and accountability. Conditions of Employment Colorado resident required. Must successfully pass a criminal background check. Must maintain confidentiality and professionalism. Must work on‑site, Monday‑Friday, and be available for weekends and nights as needed. Attributes and Abilities Exceptional written, verbal, interpersonal, and listening skills; ability to synthesize information, communicate complex issues clearly, and respond diplomatically. Strong organizational, project management, and prioritization skills; ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines. Demonstrated judgment, discretion, and critical thinking in fast‑paced, politically sensitive, high‑pressure environments. Ability to anticipate issues, assess risks, identify solutions, and proactively recommend courses of action. Professionalism and emotional intelligence; commitment to fostering a respectful, collaborative, and solutions‑oriented workplace culture. Ability to maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive, confidential, or high‑profile matters. Ability to establish trusted relationships across institutional boundaries and navigate complex, multi‑stakeholder environments. Experience building consensus in diverse, multi‑institutional settings. Positive and effective communication across various modalities. Ability to balance multiple projects and tasks while maintaining attention to detail. Strong judgment and critical‑thinking skills. Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all backgrounds, identities, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments. Auraria Campus is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will assist individuals with disabilities with reasonable accommodations related to employment activities. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement Most in Colorado would view this as a final statement, not necessarily as part of the text: 'The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Candidates are encouraged to apply regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or military status. The Agency will provide any reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. #J-18808-Ljbffr State of Colorado