Chief Communications Officer

Department President University Leadership Job Summary The University of Chicago, a global leader in research and education, seeks a mission‑aligned, strategic, and engaged leader to serve as the Chief Communications Officer. This role will head the University’s central communications office, working in collaboration with academic and administrative leaders across the University, and serve as a key member of the President’s leadership team. Responsibilities Advise the University’s President and senior officers on internal and external communications. Develop proactive strategic communications plans in partnership with deans, faculty, and leaders, and execute them over time while measuring impact. Build relevant audiences by leveraging media relations, public affairs, branding, the news office, internal communications, creative communications group, and the University website. Create pathways for UChicago expertise to contribute to national conversations across multiple disciplines. Monitor scholarly activities across the University and surface breakthroughs and achievements through various platforms. Lead teams to tell the University’s stories creatively and consistently to important audiences, including local, regional, national, and international stakeholders. Use and evolve external communication tools and strategies, innovating with new approaches. Champion the distinctive voice of the University of Chicago, ensuring internal and external credibility. Collaborate with the Office of the President on presidential communications that advance institutional priorities. Serve as the steward of the brand, maintaining consistent application of standards organization‑wide. Lead crisis communications, providing strategic advice on brand and reputational risk. Monitor, pre‑empt, and respond to a range of issues and crises; support public affairs and political landscape understanding. Coordinate communications across the University, including advancement, alumni, community engagement, partnerships, and recruitment. Inspire, lead, and mobilize a team of 30+ professionals in the central communications office, and oversee a broader network of 200+ campus communicators. Enhance coverage at community, regional, national, and international levels to increase awareness and understanding of the University. Collaborate with external partners and higher‑education associations on shared interests. Integrate new tools and approaches, such as artificial intelligence, into the communications portfolio. Identify challenges and emerging issues, working with leadership to find communication opportunities and solutions. Provide strategic alignment across the University, advancing its position with relevant constituencies. Serve as spokesperson on media and constituency interactions that promote the organization. Oversee day‑to‑day activities of the communications function, including budgeting, planning, and staff development. Perform other related duties as assigned. Competencies Understand, distill, and convey complex information to diverse audiences. High media literacy across print, digital, social, and emerging formats, especially in the Chicago and Midwest media ecosystem. Demonstrated expertise in issues and reputation management, advising executive leadership during high‑stakes situations. Enthusiasm for the University’s mission, distinctive character, and values. Energy and enthusiasm for meaningful storytelling that engages audiences and drives impact. Adept at building consensus in a relationship‑driven culture. Service‑minded leadership, inspiring teams and celebrating shared success. Optimistic, opportunistic mindset, advancing the University’s ambitions amid societal change. High ethical standards, integrity, and judgment on sensitive confidential matters. Intellectual agility, strategic vision across boundaries, entrepreneurial mindset, and collaborative spirit. Trusted partner to diverse constituencies, building credibility with internal stakeholders, local community, and media. Financially astute and solutions‑oriented. Curious, creative, flexible, and tolerant of complexity. Embark on fast‑paced problems, energized by solving multi‑dimensional challenges. Education and Experience Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree preferred. 15+ years of experience in a related discipline. Record of exceptional leadership and demonstrated scholarly, professional, or creative achievement. Diverse background across higher education, government, early‑stage companies, established companies, or non­profits preferred. Effective leadership of a dynamic enterprise with complex constituencies. Experience working across public and private entities, including government offices and political context. Required Documents Resume Cover Letter References (3) Benefits The University of Chicago offers a wide range of benefits programs, including health, retirement, and paid time off. Details are available in the Benefits Guidebook. Salary and Working Hours Weekly hours: 37.5. Pay range: $400,000.00 – $450,000.00, paid monthly. Salary is an exempt position. EEO Statement The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, expression, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers needing accommodations to complete the application process should contact View phone number on click.appcast.io or submit a request via the Applicant Inquiry Form. All offers are contingent on a background check. Conviction history is reviewed on a case‑by‑case basis. #J-18808-Ljbffr University of Chicago