Description

External Retirement Plan TRS or ORP Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Full/Part time Full Time Work Schedule Additional Schedule Information
M-F, 8am-5pm; Evening and weekend work may be required
Advertised Salary Commensurate with experience Posting Date 10/22/2025 Open until filled Yes Closing Date Proposed Starting Date 12/01/2025 Special Instructions to Applicants Location of Vacancy Athens Area EEO Policy Statement
The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR (hrweb@uga.edu).
USG Core Values Statement
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.

Position Information

Classification Title Comms Manager-College/Division FLSA Exempt FTE 1.00 Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a related field or equivalent plus 10 years of professional experience to include 3 years of supervisory experience
Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with colleges of sciences, and the ability to communicate technical content to a general audience and a variety of stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience supervising communications professionals.
• Advanced degree in communications, journalism, or related field.
• Experience working with business/industry, alumni engagement, or development initiatives.
• Experience in a higher education, independent school, or nonprofit environment.
• Strong skills using technology in the workplace, familiarity with content management systems and email platforms; social media competencies.
• Significant prior communications experience writing and producing publications and developing and placing stories with external media.

Position Summary
The Sr. Director of Communications and Content Strategy within the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia will lead the strategic development, implementation, and evaluation of communications and content strategy that elevate the visibility, impact, and reputation of the college's disciplines - from the humanities and arts to socio-behavioral, computational, chemical, mathematical, and physical sciences. This role will be particularly focused on elevating the sciences and will align divisional efforts with broader college and university communications strategies, ensuring consistency in messaging and outreach.

The Sr. Director will serve as a key advocate for academic and academic excellence of the College, crafting strategy and compelling narratives that highlight the innovation, research excellence, and societal relevance of the college's scientific programs. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a deep appreciation for the critical role that the arts and sciences play in advancing UGA's reputation and a strong ability to communicate complex ideas in accessible and engaging ways to diverse audiences.

In collaboration with the Executive Director, Dean, faculty, staff, students, and the college's Office of Student Academic Services, the Sr. Director will support communications priorities that advance the college's mission and strategic goals, including reputation, rankings, enrollment management, and federal and state relations. This includes working closely with the University's Offices of the Vice President of Research, Government Relations, Foundation Relations, Business Engagement, and Marketing and Communications and other campus partners to ensure alignment and amplification of key messages.

The Sr. Director will oversee a team of communications professionals, including roles focused on content creation, crisis communication, publications, recruitment and enrollment, website content protocols, and will provide leadership, mentorship, and strategic direction to ensure high-quality, impactful work in an integrated communications and marketing environment where collaboration and coordination is critical to success.

The Sr. Director will have a strong record of advanced experience in today's science communications fields, including the development and implementation of a strategic, extensive communications program; evidence of strong communications, interpersonal, and marketing skills; and proficiency in using word- and image processing, content management system, AI-applications, search engine optimization, keyword tracking and social media tools. The ideal candidate will also have experience leading a team of communications professionals; a solid understanding of effective graphic design and branding principles and the use of AI tools and the Internet as a medium of communication; and the ability to manage multiple and competing priorities in a dynamic environment.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, or a related field.
• Significant professional experience in communications, marketing, or related field.
• Proven ability to develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive, strategic communications and marketing program.
• Expressed ability to define goals and objectives, identify target audiences, and measure progress toward communications and marketing goals.
• Strong communications, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated familiarity with a range of communications principles including messaging, writing, editing, graphic design, visual communications, branding, marketing, advertising, electronic communications, and social media.

Physical Demands
Sitting, standing, walking, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling; spending long periods of time at a computer.
Is driving a responsibility of this position? No Is this a Position of Trust? Yes Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No Does this position require a P-Card? No Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) Yes Credit and P-Card policy
Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.
Background Investigation Policy
Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Duties/Responsibilities

• Work with Executive Director on development, planning, execution, and evaluation of a comprehensive content and communications program for the academic divisions in the college, including, reputation campaigns, media relations, content management, planning and delivery that promotes the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences' visibility and reputation, driving more robust engagement, and supporting recruitment, including faculty, staff and students.
• Work with the Executive Director to set quality standards and establish priorities and measurable outcomes.

Percentage of time 50 Duties/Responsibilities

• Manage, a team of staff focused on support and delivery of college's communication priorities.
• Directly plan, train and mentor staff while overseeing activities and evaluating the performance of positions reporting to this position.

Percentage of time 25 Duties/Responsibilities

• Work with Department Heads and School and Institute Directors, and individual faculty to ensure they are supported and represented.

Percentage of time 15 Duties/Responsibilities

• Present to various stakeholders as necessary.

Percentage of time 5 Duties/Responsibilities

• Additional responsibilities as assigned.

Percentage of time 5

Contact Information

Recruitment Contact

Contact Details
For questions concerning this position or recruitment progression, please refer to the Recruitment Contact listed below.
Recruitment Contact Name Susan Ambrosetti Recruitment Contact Email Susan.Ambrosetti@uga.edu Recruitment Contact Phone

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume/CV
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents