CMDI Assistant Dean of Communications & Engagement
Requisition Number:
64751
Location:
Boulder, Colorado
City
Boulder
State
Colorado
Employment Type:
University Staff
Schedule:
Full-Time
Posting Close Date:
09-Jun-2025
Date Posted:
27-May-2025
Job Summary
The College of Communication, Media, Design and Information at CU Boulder encourages applications for an Assistant Dean for Communications and Engagement! The assistant dean for Communications and Engagement plans, implements, and leads all aspects of the development and leadership of highly effective integrated communications and PR strategy that support College growth and excellence; leads the development and implementation of the College branding and marketing strategy in a way that differentiates the College; works in conjunction with overall communications strategies and annual integrated marketing communications plans developed by the CU Boulder campus; and develops engagement of alumni, community and industry partners in refining and delivering the College strategy.
The assistant dean manages and leads the communications and engagement functional area of the College, and demonstrates effective leadership by partnering with other members of the college leadership team, including the dean, assistant and associate deans, department chairs, and directors and with other campus and university units. The assistant dean is a member of the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information (CMDI) leadership team, and supervises the CMDI communications and engagement team, which includes the communications team members and the events team members. The assistant dean serves as an advisor to the dean and leadership team for sensitive public relations issues, and partners with the dean to prepare executive communications.
The assistant dean manages and leads the communications and engagement functional area of the College, and demonstrates effective leadership by partnering with other members of the college leadership team, including the dean, assistant and associate deans, department chairs, and directors and with other campus and university units. The assistant dean is a member of the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information (CMDI) leadership team, and supervises the CMDI communications and engagement team, which includes the communications team members and the events team members. The assistant dean serves as an advisor to the dean and leadership team for sensitive public relations issues, and partners with the dean to prepare executive communications.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
Effective July 1, 2025, the College of Media, Communication and Information will become the College of Communication, Media, Design and Information (CMDI), incorporating the environmental design program. CMDI is at the forefront of the revolution in communication, digital technology, and design. CMDI prides itself on offering students an interdisciplinary education with a focus on innovation and creativity! Our students and faculty from seven departments and an independent PhD program think across boundaries, innovate around emerging problems and create culture that transcends convention.
CMDI strives to be a community whose excellence is premised on diversity, equity and inclusion. We seek candidates who share this dedication and demonstrate understanding of the experiences of those historically underrepresented in higher education.
CMDI strives to be a community whose excellence is premised on diversity, equity and inclusion. We seek candidates who share this dedication and demonstrate understanding of the experiences of those historically underrepresented in higher education.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
This position is responsible for developing, implementing, evaluating, and continually improving the integrated CMDI communications and marketing strategy in alignment with the CMDI strategic plan to effectively position the College and enhance its reputation with external and internal constituents. The position has fiscal responsibility for the delivery of the CMDI communications and engagement operations for the College, and represents the College in campus-wide and university system-wide initiatives. The position provides leadership and supervision for the communications and engagement team which includes events personnel. The assistant dean develops and enhances relationships within the University community and the external local media, communication and information community, including CMDI academic departments.
This position serves as a thought partner to the dean and supports the College and the dean's strategic goals through projects and executive communication messaging for strategic planning, advisory boards, community building, and others as needed. This may include preparing written and oral remarks and visual presentations to be used with various constituencies to build engagement and deliver on the comprehensive communications strategy for the College. The assistant dean partners with other administrative leaders in the College to plan for effective internal communications for socialization of strategic imperatives, academic goals, and operational initiatives, and serves as a communications advisor to the dean and other College leaders for PR, media-related, and sensitive internal and external communications.
Based on the integrated communications strategy, this position ensures effective schedule, production and distribution of key results in support of the College’s communications goals, including: key publications, College website(s), social media, presentations, advertisements, photo/video/multimedia database and earned media placements (news releases, story pitches, expert requests, etc.), executive communications, and others as needed. Key publications include an annual print edition of the CMDI Now magazine, as well as additional periodic digital editions of CMDI Now, and coordinates with Advancement staff for the CMDI Insider publication.
This position plans and implements an annual calendar of internal communications with CMDI students, faculty and staff, and ensures all communications and marketing activities are evaluated and improved based upon the value added to the College. This position represents all of the College's academic departments and programs professionally to the public and media.
The assistant dean partners with the College’s undergraduate and graduate recruitment/admissions teams to ensure effective communications are in place to support student recruitment and growth. The position also partners with the College's advancement leadership to align communications coming from the Advancement team and the College communications team which may include fundraising and alumni activities, communications and engagement. This includes print editions of the CMDI Insider and CMDI Now publications.
The assistant dean provides leadership and oversight of the College's College-wide events activities. To achieve this, the position strategizes on College-wide events, alumni events, and industry partner activities. The position ensures all events and activities are strategically aligned with College goals and planning, and develops and evaluates metrics to enhance data-driven decisions around events strategies.
The assistant dean is responsible for fiscal and personnel performance and goal delivery of the CMDI communications, marketing and events operations.
This position serves as a thought partner to the dean and supports the College and the dean's strategic goals through projects and executive communication messaging for strategic planning, advisory boards, community building, and others as needed. This may include preparing written and oral remarks and visual presentations to be used with various constituencies to build engagement and deliver on the comprehensive communications strategy for the College. The assistant dean partners with other administrative leaders in the College to plan for effective internal communications for socialization of strategic imperatives, academic goals, and operational initiatives, and serves as a communications advisor to the dean and other College leaders for PR, media-related, and sensitive internal and external communications.
Based on the integrated communications strategy, this position ensures effective schedule, production and distribution of key results in support of the College’s communications goals, including: key publications, College website(s), social media, presentations, advertisements, photo/video/multimedia database and earned media placements (news releases, story pitches, expert requests, etc.), executive communications, and others as needed. Key publications include an annual print edition of the CMDI Now magazine, as well as additional periodic digital editions of CMDI Now, and coordinates with Advancement staff for the CMDI Insider publication.
This position plans and implements an annual calendar of internal communications with CMDI students, faculty and staff, and ensures all communications and marketing activities are evaluated and improved based upon the value added to the College. This position represents all of the College's academic departments and programs professionally to the public and media.
The assistant dean partners with the College’s undergraduate and graduate recruitment/admissions teams to ensure effective communications are in place to support student recruitment and growth. The position also partners with the College's advancement leadership to align communications coming from the Advancement team and the College communications team which may include fundraising and alumni activities, communications and engagement. This includes print editions of the CMDI Insider and CMDI Now publications.
The assistant dean provides leadership and oversight of the College's College-wide events activities. To achieve this, the position strategizes on College-wide events, alumni events, and industry partner activities. The position ensures all events and activities are strategically aligned with College goals and planning, and develops and evaluates metrics to enhance data-driven decisions around events strategies.
The assistant dean is responsible for fiscal and personnel performance and goal delivery of the CMDI communications, marketing and events operations.
What You Should Know
This role will work in a hybrid modality, with in-person requirements for College events and meetings as determined by the position's responsibilities.
What We Can Offer
The annual salary range is $140,000 - $163,000. Onboarding assistance is available per department guidelines.
Benefits
The University of Colorado offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO Pass. The University of Colorado Boulder is one of the largest employers in Boulder County and offers an inspiring higher education environment. Learn more about the University of Colorado Boulder.
Be Statements
Be engaged. Be impactful. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- Master’s degree in Communication, Public Relations, or related field OR an equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute for the advanced degree.
- Six+ years' experience in the field of public relations, communications, branding, and/or marketing and leadership as an executive, manager, director or related roles in a multi-departmental organization.
What You Will Need
- Demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate and interact with various teams to achieve positive outcomes.
- Demonstrated ability to independently manage and effectively prioritize multiple tasks to attain key objectives.
- Familiarity with digital engagement channels and with graphic design tools, specifically Adobe Creative Suite.
- Strong organizational, communication and time-management skills.
- Proficiency in MS Office.
- Ability to edit using AP style.
- Demonstrated ability to simplify complex information and write in a concise and compelling way.
- Demonstrated ability to identify topics and people of interest and tell their stories.
- Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, political and geographical differences, with the ability to work well with faculty, staff, students, and individuals from a wide range of backgrounds and lived experiences.
What We Would Like You to Have
- Eight + years' of experience in leadership as an executive, manager or director in a large, multifaceted organization, preferably in the fields of public relations, communications and/or branding with experience with strategy and metrics and developing marketing campaigns.
- Prior leadership experience in a higher education setting.
- Prior experience leading and managing large-scale events including planning, logistics, and communications for those events.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
- A current resume.
- A cover letter that specifically tells us how your background and experience align with the requirements, qualifications, and responsibilities of the position.
We may request references at a later time.
Please apply by June 9, 2025 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Posting Contact Information
Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources
Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu