Senior Communications Strategist

Senior Communications Strategist

The Office of Research & Partnership's (ORP) Marketing & Communications team is in search of a Senior Communications Strategist. The Senior Communications Strategist creates and leads comprehensive content strategies that advance the strategic vision, research priorities, and institutional goals of the University of Arizona and the Office of Research, Innovation and Impact (ORP). Independently researches, develops, and executes high-impact communications across digital, print, multimedia, and executive platforms for internal and external audiences. This position also serves as a strategic communications advisor to leadership and campus partners, leveraging analytics, emerging technologies, and industry best practices to maximize audience engagement, institutional visibility, and brand alignment.

Lasting Impact through Strong Partnerships: By collaborating with industry, government, nonprofits and communities, The University of Arizona translates discovery into action that drives progress for the public good, extending the impact of research far beyond the university campus. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position. Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more! The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.

Duties & Responsibilities - Integrated Communications and Marketing Strategy: Lead the planning, development, and execution of integrated communications and marketing strategies that advance ORP and university priorities. Develop content and campaign strategies that support research visibility, stakeholder engagement, recruitment, event promotion, and organizational objectives. Partner with faculty, researchers, administrators, and campus stakeholders to identify communications and marketing needs and recommend strategic solutions. Provide guidance on messaging, audience engagement, content strategy, and communications best practices. Ensure consistent messaging, brand alignment, and audience-centered communications across all channels.

Strategic Content Development and Editorial Leadership: Write, evaluate, review, and edit high-quality communications including feature stories, website content, publications, campaign materials, presentations, marketing collateral, and multimedia content. Independently research, identify story opportunities, conduct interviews, and develop compelling narratives that support institutional goals. Maintain editorial standards and ensure accuracy, consistency, and quality across communications deliverables. Lead complex content projects from concept through execution while coordinating with multiple stakeholders.

Marketing Campaign Development and Audience Engagement: Develop and implement marketing initiatives that increase awareness of ORP programs, services, events, and research achievements. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify target audiences and create tailored communication and marketing strategies. Support digital marketing efforts through content development, audience segmentation, and channel optimization. Influence communications standards and messaging approaches across projects to support organizational objectives.

Analytics, Assessment, and Innovation: Establish and evaluate content and campaign performance metrics to assess effectiveness and inform strategic decision-making. Analyze audience engagement data and apply insights to improve communication and marketing outcomes. Identify emerging communications and marketing trends, technologies, and best practices and recommend innovative approaches to content development and distribution. Use data-driven insights to refine content strategies and improve organizational impact.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and provide strategic communications guidance. Ability to develop and execute integrated communications and marketing strategies. Ability to independently manage complex projects and exercise sound judgment with minimal supervision. Ability to identify emerging trends and apply innovative approaches.

Minimum Qualifications - Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required. Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.

Preferred Qualifications - Experience writing talking points for leadership. Higher ed marketing or communications experience. Experience with/understanding of emerging technologies. Experience with, or a strong interest in, academic research. Experience with digital content management. Experience evaluating effectiveness through analytics and performance metrics.

FLSA - Exempt

Full Time/Part Time - Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week - 40

Job FTE - 1.0

Work Calendar - Fiscal

Job Category - Communication and Marketing

Benefits Eligible - Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay - $65,687 - $85,393

Compensation Type - salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Grade - 9

Compensation Guidance - The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity. The Grade Range represents a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.

Career Stream and Level - PC4

Job Family - Content Development

Job Function - Communications & Marketing

Type of criminal background check required: - Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies - 1

Contact Information for Candidates - Lisa Black I View email address on click.appcast.io

Open Date - 7/2/2026

Open Until Filled - Yes

Documents Needed to Apply - Resume, Cover Letter, and One Additional Document

Special Instructions to Applicant - Please add the following additional document (an original writing sample) to your application: A feature story, press release sample or communications/marketing campaign.