Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

Assistant Director of Strategic Communications Job Summary Reporting to the Senior Director of Strategic Communications, the Assistant Director of Strategic Communications serves as a communications leader responsible for advancing the university's reputation through integrated strategic communications, storytelling, web content project coordination and enterprise social media strategy. The Assistant Director develops and implements communication strategies that support institutional priorities while providing day-to-day leadership for the university's strategic communications, content strategy and social media efforts. Working collaboratively across the university, the incumbent advises campus leaders, manages complex communications projects, develops compelling content, oversees content planning, and collaborates on social media strategy while remaining actively involved in content creation, writing, editing, photography, video production, and community engagement. This position combines strategic leadership with hands-on execution, serving as both a communications strategist and content creator who ensures the university's messaging is timely, compelling, accessible, and aligned with institutional goals. Key Responsibilities Develop and implement integrated strategic communications plans supporting university priorities, presidential initiatives, enrollment, advancement, and institutional reputation. Provide leadership, supervision, and strategic direction to the Social Media and Strategic Communications Manager, establishing priorities, aligning work with institutional goals, and supporting professional development and performance. Guide the Social Media and Strategic Communications Manager in the development and execution of integrated content, social media, and communications strategies that strengthen the university’s reputation and audience engagement. Serve as a communications advisor to university leadership on messaging, storytelling, and audience engagement. Lead strategic content planning across print, digital, web, social media, and multimedia channels. Write, edit, and oversee high-profile communications including leadership messaging, feature stories, newsletters, websites, institutional publications, and major digital campaigns. Coordinate cross-functional communications projects with colleges and administrative divisions, including projects led or supported by the Social Media and Strategic Communications Manager. Support media relations efforts by developing messaging, background materials, strategic communications plans, and integrated digital content. Serve as a member of the university's emergency and crisis communications team, developing messaging, coordinating digital communications, and providing direction for social media response during critical incidents. Establish workflows, priorities, content calendars, and quality standards for strategic communications and social media efforts, ensuring effective coordination between institutional storytelling and digital engagement. Review and provide strategic guidance on major social media campaigns, sensitive or high-profile content and reputation-focused initiatives. Lead development and implementation of the university's enterprise social media strategy. Create and publish engaging social media content, including writing copy, photography, short-form video, livestreams, graphics, and multimedia storytelling. Analyze performance using social media analytics and Google Analytics, translating insights into recommendations for continuous improvement. Identify emerging digital trends and recommend new approaches that enhance audience engagement. Provide training, coaching, and best practices for campus communicators and social media contributors. Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Expert-level writing, editing, and storytelling skills across multiple platforms, audiences, and formats, with the ability to translate complex information into clear, compelling accessible content. Demonstrated ability to develop and implement integrated strategic communications plans that advance institutional priorities, strengthen reputation, and ensure consistent messaging across channels. Strong knowledge of executive, organizational, media, and crisis communications, with the ability to advise senior leaders and campus partners on messaging, positioning, and emerging issues. Expertise in enterprise social media and digital communications strategy, including content planning, audience engagement, community management, analytics, and performance measurement. Knowledge of web content strategy and digital best practices, including content governance, accessibility, usability, and coordination of complex web and digital communications projects. Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality multimedia content, including photography, video, visual storytelling, and other digital assets that support institutional communications. Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple complex, high-priority projects, establish priorities, meet deadlines, and maintain quality. Ability to influence without direct authority and build effective collaborative relationships across a complex, diverse organization, including with senior leaders, faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders. Excellent presentation, consultation, interpersonal, and leadership skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences and represent the university professionally. Strong editorial judgment, adaptability, and strategic problem-solving skills, with the ability to assess communications opportunities and risks, respond to changing priorities, and balance strategic leadership with hands‑on execution. Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional experience in strategic communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, digital communications, or a related field, including experience leading multifaceted communications projects and providing direction to staff, project teams, or other communications professionals. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or a related field Professional experience developing and implementing strategic communications plans for a complex organization; Demonstrated experience developing, writing, and editing high-level communications for internal and external audiences; Experience developing and executing social media strategies and creating content for institutional or organizational social media channels; Experience working in higher education or another large, complex organization; Experience with crisis and emergency communications; and Experience with social media management, content management, analytics, and digital publishing platforms Compensation Classification: Administrator II Anticipated Hiring Range: up to $9,167/month CSU Salary Range: $5,053/month - $16,221/month The final hiring salary will be commensurate with experience. San José State University offers employees a comprehensive benefits package typically worth 30-35% of your base salary. For more information on programs available, please see the Employee Benefits Summary . Additional Information Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. SJSU will issue a contingent offer of employment to the selected candidate, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was offered the position on a contingent basis. The standard background check includes: criminal check, employment, and education verification. Depending on the position, a motor vehicle and/or credit check may be required. All background checks are conducted through the university's third-party vendor, Accurate Background. Some positions may also require fingerprinting. SJSU will pay all costs associated with this procedure. Evidence of required degree(s) or certification(s) will be required at time of hire. SJSU IS NOT A SPONSORING AGENCY FOR STAFF OR MANAGEMENT POSITIONS. (e.g. H1-B VISAS) All San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.Incumbent is also required to promptly report any knowledge of a possible Title IX related incident to the Title IX Officeor report any discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation to the Office of Equal Opportunity. Education Code 89521 Requirements: Applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received a final administrative decision or final judicial decision determining that they have committed sexual harassment within the last 7 years only after a determination is made that they meet the minimum qualifications for the position, and before an offer of employment is extended. Applicants who reach the final stages of the application process must also sign a release form that authorizes the release of information by the applicant’s current and/or former employers to the CSU concerning any substantiated allegations of misconduct. Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act and Campus Housing Fire Safety Notification: Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, the Annual Security Report (ASR) is also now available for viewing at The ASR contains the current security and safety-related policy statements, emergency preparedness and evacuation information, crime prevention and Sexual Assault prevention information, and information about drug and alcohol prevention programming. The ASR also contains statistics of Clery crimes for San José State University locations for the three most recent calendar years. A paper copy of the ASR is available upon request by contacting the Office of the Clery Director by phone at View phone number on click.appcast.io or by email at View email address on click.appcast.io . Pursuant to the Higher Education Opportunity Act, the Annual Fire Safety Report (AFSR) is also available for viewing at . The purpose of this report is to disclose statistics for fires that occurred within SJSU on-campus housing facilities for the three most recent calendar years, and to distribute fire safety policies and procedures intended to promote safety on Campus. A paper copy of the AFSR is available upon request by contacting the Housing Office by phone at View phone number on click.appcast.io or by email at View email address on click.appcast.io . Campus Security Authority - In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and CSU systemwide policy, this position is subject to ongoing review for designation as a Campus Security Authority. Individuals that are designated as Campus Security Authorities are required to immediately report Clery incidents to the institution and complete Clery Act training as determined by the university Clery Director. Equal Employment Statement San José State University is an equal opportunity employer. The university prohibits discrimination based on age, ancestry, caste, color, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military status, nationality, race, religion, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, sex stereotype, and veteran status. This policy applies to all San José State University students, faculty, and staff, as well as university programs and activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all education programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus). Reasonable accommodation is made for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose. San José State University employees are considered mandated reporters under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment. #J-18808-Ljbffr The California State University