Director, Communications

Job description

Job Title Director, Communications Agency Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi Department Institutional Advancement Proposed Minimum Salary Commensurate Job Location Corpus Christi, Texas Job Type Staff Job Description TAMU-CC is a dynamic university designated as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) with approximately 11,000 students from 47 states and 54 foreign nations. We employ over 1,400 full-time and 2,000 part-time Islanders (including students/GAs). The University attracts highly talented faculty and staff and offers an array of undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral programs. As a member of the Texas A&M University System, TAMU-CC benefits from a range of resources, increased visibility and influence, and opportunities to collaborate in mutually beneficial ways with peers across member institutions and associated agencies. TAMU-CC’s beautiful campus is located on a 240-acre island on Corpus Christi Bay and was ranked #1 College by the Sea by Best College Reviews. Our natural setting is enhanced by its modern, attractive, and state-of-the-art classroom buildings and support facilities. PURPOSE The Director of Communications provides strategic leadership for university communications, media relations, executive communications, crisis communications, and reputation management. Reporting to the Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications, the Director develops and executes communications strategies that advance institutional priorities and strengthen the university’s reputation among internal and external audiences. The Director serves as a senior communications advisor to university leadership, leads the university’s media relations and crisis communications efforts, and oversees the development of compelling institutional content and messaging. The position oversees a team of communication professionals and works collaboratively across the university to ensure communications are timely, coordinated, accurate, and aligned with institutional priorities, brand standards, and university values. RESPONSIBILITIES Functional Area 1: Strategic & Institutional Communications Percent Effort: 35% Develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies that advance university priorities, including enrollment, student success, research, advancement, community engagement, and institutional reputation. Establish and maintain a cohesive institutional voice and messaging framework across communications channels. Provide strategic communications counsel to university leadership on institutional initiatives, announcements, sensitive issues, and emerging opportunities. Develop executive communications, including speeches, talking points, presentations, statements, correspondence, and other leadership messaging. Oversee institutional communications and major publications, ensuring content is accurate, compelling, audience-focused, and aligned with university priorities. Collaborate with colleges, divisions, and university leadership to identify communications opportunities and coordinate messaging across the institution. Develop an overarching strategic communication plan and toolkit to support major university initiatives, announcements, events, and milestones. Provide communications guidance and standards to campus communicators to strengthen consistency and coordination across the university. Functional Area 2: Media Relations & Reputation Management Percent Effort: 25% Serve as the university’s primary media relations contact and spokesperson, as appropriate. Develop and maintain strong relationships with local, regional, national, and industry-specific media. Lead proactive media outreach and story development highlighting faculty expertise, research, student success, institutional accomplishments, community impact, and university priorities. Oversee press releases, media advisories, statements, feature stories, media pitches, and other external communications. Coordinate media interviews, press conferences, and media opportunities involving university leadership, faculty, staff, and subject-matter experts. Prepare university representatives for media interviews through messaging, talking points, briefing materials, and media preparation. Monitor media coverage, emerging issues, public sentiment, and reputational trends; provide analysis and recommendations to university leadership. Identify emerging reputational opportunities and risks and recommend proactive communications strategies. Functional Area 3: Crisis & Issues Communications Percent Effort: 20% Lead the university’s crisis and issues communications strategy in coordination with university leadership and appropriate campus partners. Develop, maintain, and regularly evaluate the university’s crisis communications plan, protocols, templates, and response procedures. Serve as the communications lead within the university’s Incident Command structure during emergencies and significant incidents. Develop and coordinate timely, accurate communications for internal and external audiences across email, web, social media, media relations, emergency notification systems, and other channels. Advise university leadership on communications strategy during emergencies, sensitive situations, and reputational issues. Coordinate messaging with university police, university leadership, legal counsel, the Texas A&M University System, and other appropriate partners. Monitor media, social media, and public conversation during emerging issues and crises and recommend appropriate responses. Conduct post-incident communications reviews and incorporate lessons learned into future crisis planning. Maintain appropriate after-hours availability for time-sensitive emergencies and reputational matters. Functional Area 4: Content Strategy & Editorial Leadership Percent Effort: 10% Provide strategic direction for university news, institutional storytelling, executive communications, and other communications content. Oversee the development of written content for digital, social, video, audio, print, and other communications channels. Establish editorial priorities that support institutional goals and strengthen the university’s reputation. Serve as final editorial authority for designated university-level communications, ensuring accuracy, consistency, AP style compliance, and alignment with institutional messaging. Partner with Marketing, Creative Services, Web, Enrollment, Advancement, academic units, and other university teams to coordinate integrated storytelling and communications. Identify opportunities to elevate faculty expertise and university thought leadership in regional, national, and industry conversations. Functional Area 5: Communications Measurement & Strategy Percent Effort: 5% Establish annual communications goals, key performance indicators, and measures of success aligned with the university’s strategic priorities. Monitor and evaluate media coverage, audience engagement, digital performance, sentiment, and other relevant communications metrics. Use data and audience insights to evaluate communications effectiveness and refine strategies. Provide regular communications and reputation reports, insights, and recommendations to university leadership. Functional Area 6: Leadership & Administration Percent Effort: 5% Lead, supervise, mentor, and develop professional communications staff. Establish team priorities, workflows, performance expectations, and professional development goals. Foster a collaborative, responsive, high-performing culture focused on quality, service, innovation, and continuous improvement. Manage assigned communications budgets and resources. Develop and maintain communications policies, procedures, editorial standards, and standard operating procedures. Serve on university committees, task forces, emergency response teams, and working groups as assigned. Represent the university at professional, community, and industry events as appropriate. Perform other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a closely related field. Ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, public relations, media relations, journalism, or a related field, including at least three (3) years of supervisory or leadership experience. Additional education/experience may be considered as a substitute for the minimum requirements: Master’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a closely related field with eight (8) years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, public relations, media relations, journalism, or a related field, including at least three (3) years of supervisory or leadership experience Doctoral degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, or a closely related field with six (6) years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, public relations, media relations, journalism, or a related field, including at least three (3) years of supervisory or leadership experience Exceptional written, verbal, editing, and interpersonal communication skills. Demonstrated experience developing and implementing strategic communications plans for complex organizations. Demonstrated experience working with media and developing successful media relations strategies. Experience managing sensitive, high-profile, or crisis communications. Strong judgment and demonstrated ability to advise leaders on complex communications matters. Ability to manage multiple priorities and make sound decisions in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrated ability to use communications data and analytics to inform strategy and evaluate effectiveness. Ability to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure, which may include communications systems, computer networks and systems, cybersecurity systems, electrical grid, hazardous waste treatment system or water treatment system. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Master’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, marketing, higher education administration, or a related field. Communications or public relations experience within higher education or another large, complex organization. Experience leading crisis and issues communications. Experience providing communications counsel to executive leadership. Experience developing regional or national media relationships and successfully pitching stories. Knowledge of emerging communications trends, media monitoring, digital communications, and reputation management. SALARY: $85,000 - $100,000/annually, approximately $7,083.34 - $8,333.34/monthly NOTE: Employment may be impacted by the Presidential proclamation issued on September 19, 2025 and the moratorium issued by Texas Governor Abbott on January 27, 2026. BENEFITS (rules, policies, eligibility apply) From our generous benefits package and professional development opportunities, to our retirement programs and our commitment to service excellence, the Island University is an engaging and rewarding place to work. Insurance Medical $0 - $30 per month for Employee Only coverage after university contribution ($920 value). Up to 83% of premium covered by the university: Employee and Spouse Employee and Children Employee and Family coverage Dental & Vision Life Insurance, Accidental D&D, Long Term Disability, Flexible Spending Account and Day Care Spending Account On-campus wellness opportunities Work Life Solutions: Counseling, Work Life Assistance, Financial Resources, and Legal Resources Tuition Benefits: Public Loan Forgiveness Book scholarships 100% tuition coverage for up to 18 credit hours per fiscal year (other rules may apply). Retirement Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) or Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) Voluntary Tax Deferred Account/Deferred Compensation Plan Time Off: 8+ hours of vacation paid time off every month. 8 hours of sick leave time off every month. 8 hours of paid time off for Birthday leave. 12-15 paid holidays each year. All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check. Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.