Executive Director of Communications

Location: Fort Collins, CO

Position Summary

The Executive Director of Communications serves as the principal speechwriter, strategic communications advisor, and content strategist for the Provost and divisional leaders. The position develops speeches, correspondence, reports, policy communications, briefing materials, presentations, and executive messaging while managing a high-volume communications portfolio and integrated communications calendar. The role is responsible for capturing and maintaining the authentic voice of senior leaders, translating complex academic and institutional issues into compelling communications, and ensuring consistent, coordinated messaging across the academic enterprise.

The position operates with significant independence and discretion and serves as a key partner to the President's Office, University Marketing and Communications (MarComm), colleges, and campus communicators. The role requires exceptional judgment, discretion, and the ability to respond effectively to emerging issues and changing institutional priorities. The Executive Director provides strategic counsel on messaging, reputation management, issues management, and stakeholder engagement while helping ensure communications are aligned with university priorities and effectively support the institution's mission and strategic objectives.

For full consideration, please apply by Monday, 11/30/2026, 11:59pm (MT).

Description of Work Unit

The Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President (OTP) provides leadership for Colorado State University’s academic enterprise and advances the university’s land-grant mission through excellence in teaching, learning, research, and student success. As CSU’s Chief Academic Officer, the Provost and Executive Vice President (Provost) oversees the university’s eight academic colleges, the Graduate School, Libraries, enrollment and student success initiatives, faculty affairs, international programs, inclusive excellence, and institutional planning and effectiveness.

Working collaboratively across the university, the OTP helps shape CSU’s academic vision, strategic priorities, and commitment to student achievement and community impact.

Essential Job Duties

Serve as the primary communications lead and strategic communications advisor for the OTP, providing leadership for executive and divisional communications across the academic enterprise.

Develop, implement, and evaluate comprehensive communications strategies that advance the Provost's priorities, support institutional objectives, and align with the university's broader strategic communications efforts.

Meet regularly with the Provost and senior academic leaders to understand priorities, perspectives, and communication objectives, and develop content that authentically reflects their voice and leadership.

Research, write, edit, and finalize speeches, remarks, talking points, correspondence, reports, policy communications, presentations, briefing materials, and other high-profile executive communications for the Provost and divisional leaders.

Serve as the final editor and quality-control lead for the OTP's highest-profile communications, ensuring excellence, consistency, accuracy, and alignment with institutional priorities.

Build and maintain an integrated communications calendar across the OTP and affiliated divisions to coordinate messaging, manage competing priorities, and ensure strategic sequencing of communications.

Provide strategic communications counsel regarding audience engagement, message development, timing, reputational considerations, stakeholder impacts, and communications approaches for significant initiatives and emerging issues.

Monitor higher education, public policy, and institutional trends to anticipate communications needs, identify opportunities and challenges, and advise leadership regarding potential organizational and reputational impacts.

Support communications related to emerging issues, organizational change initiatives, and high-profile or sensitive matters requiring exceptional judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.

Coordinate communications efforts with the President's Office, MarComm, colleges, and campus units to ensure alignment with university-wide messaging, brand standards, and strategic priorities.

Build and maintain strong relationships with college and division communicators to identify stories, amplify key messages, share information, and strengthen communications coordination across the academic enterprise.

Prepare executive briefing materials, research, background information, anticipated questions, strategic messaging, and message guidance for speeches, interviews, meetings, and public engagements.

Establish and manage communications processes, including intake, drafting, review, approval, publication, and evaluation procedures for executive and high-profile communications initiatives.

Monitor communications effectiveness, assess outcomes, and recommend improvements to strengthen engagement, increase organizational effectiveness, and advance institutional objectives.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Conditions of Employment

Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for all new hires).

Supervision

This position supervises the Web & Communications Specialist (1.0 FTE) and at least one student employee.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, English, Public Administration, or a related field.

Seven or more years of progressively responsible experience in executive communications, speechwriting, strategic communications, journalism, public affairs, or a closely related field.

Demonstrated experience supporting senior leaders through executive communications, strategic messaging, stakeholder engagement, and the development of high-impact communications across diverse audiences and communication formats.

Exceptional writing, editing, research, content development, and strategic communications skills, with the ability to adapt voice, tone, and style and translate complex information into clear, compelling, and audience-centered messages.

Demonstrated success managing complex, high-volume, and time-sensitive communications initiatives and projects with accuracy, discretion, sound judgment, and strong attention to detail.

Experience collaborating effectively with senior leaders and executives, incorporating substantive feedback, and building trusted working relationships in fast-paced and complex environments.

Experience managing sensitive organizational communications and issues requiring confidentiality, strategic judgment, and diplomacy.

Demonstrated commitment to inclusive, accessible, and audience-centered communication practices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in communications, journalism, public relations, higher education administration, public administration, or a related field.
• Ten or more years of progressively responsible experience in executive communications, strategic communications, speechwriting, public affairs, journalism, or closely related fields.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a trusted communications advisor to higher education executive leadership.
• Experience in higher education communications, particularly within academic affairs, a provost's office, a president's office, or another complex educational environment.
• Experience developing and implementing enterprise-level communications strategies that support institutional priorities, strategic plans, and organizational objectives.
• Demonstrated success managing high-profile, sensitive, or reputationally significant communications, including issues management, organizational change, or crisis communications.

Salary Range

$140,000 - $160,000

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Cover Letter, Resume/CV

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

Review our detailed benefits information here.

Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.