The University of Texas at Austin · 1 month ago
Assistant Director of Communications
Austin, TX
Full-time
Onsite
Lead/Staff, Director/Executive
5+ years expThe University of Texas at Austin is a leading institution known for its Department of Computer Science, which ranks among the top ten in the nation. The Assistant Director of Communications will support the department by leading editorial, digital, and media strategies while managing communications for the Texas AI initiative.
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Responsibilities
Provide department-level communications leadership
Serve as a strategic advisor and right hand to the Director on messaging, positioning, and long-range planning
Lead department-wide communications coordination to ensure cohesive, audience-centered storytelling
Build strong relationships with faculty and staff; maintain clear intake processes and communicate editorial decisions diplomatically
Represent the communications office in cross-unit meetings and act as a proxy for the Director when needed
Supervise communications coordinators and writing staff, providing coaching on editorial judgment, workflow management, and message alignment
Oversee internal and executive communications including memos, leadership messaging, and major departmental announcements
Collaborate with College of Natural Sciences and central communications on shared initiatives and issues management
Lead editorial strategy and provide digital content oversight
Lead the department’s editorial strategy: run editorial meetings, manage the Asana editorial calendar, and maintain visibility into all active projects
Evaluate story ideas for strategic fit, audience value, and resource implications; provide faculty with clear guidance on the most effective communication pathways
Establish and manage workflows for editorial submissions, accolades, and research highlights
Provide high-level editorial oversight and approval for major stories, digital features, and research reporting
Write and edit content including research features, profiles, impact stories, newsletters, and strategic web copy
Oversee digital channel strategy and ensure consistency across websites, emails, and social content
Manage website governance, content updates, and CMS operations; collaborate with technical partners on improvements, UX, and accessibility
Provide media relations direction and support and manage department reputation
Develop and execute a proactive media relations strategy aligned with departmental strengths
Guide the communications coordinator’s media outreach, including pitching, releases, briefings, and faculty prep
Serve as a departmental media contact and spokesperson when appropriate
Maintain tools and systems for tracking media placements and reporting outcomes
Monitor traditional and social media for trends, mentions, and potential risks; support issues management and crisis communications
Lead Texas AI communications and branding
Lead all communications and marketing for Texas AI, ensuring alignment with departmental and campus-wide priorities
Shape Texas AI’s narrative, messaging pillars, and storytelling priorities
Develop and implement communications plans including website content, newsletters, social messaging, event promotion, and media outreach
Proactively surface stories and build relationships across UT to gather information about AI research, partnerships, and initiatives
Manage and optimize the Texas AI website to ensure accuracy, usability, and brand consistency
Serve as liaison between Texas AI leadership, affiliated researchers, campus partners, and central MarCom teams
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or related field
Five or more years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing, journalism, or public affairs
Demonstrated experience in editorial operations, communications planning, and/or complex content workflows
Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling abilities across digital formats
Strong project management skills, including running meetings, developing timelines, and managing deadlines
Experience building relationships with senior leaders, faculty, or experts and translating complex topics into compelling narratives
Strong interpersonal and diplomatic communication skills, including the ability to deliver editorial decisions tactfully
Ability to balance competing priorities and make editorial choices grounded in strategy, audience needs, and resources
Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
Experience with media relations and working with reporters
Experience managing websites and working within a CMS
Preferred
Experience in higher education, research communications, or large, decentralized organizations
Experience in science/technology communication, with demonstrated judgment about story potential in computing, AI, and related fields
Experience with Asana or similar project management tools
Knowledge of UX writing principles and digital content best practices
Experience managing editorial intake processes and communicating 'yes/no/not now' decisions to technical or research stakeholders
Benefits
Retirement Plan Eligibility: The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
Company
The University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is one of the largest public universities in the United States.
10001+ employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
unknownKey Investors
Republic Capital Group
2022-09-14Series Unknown
Leadership Team
Will Whiting
Chief Development Officer
Recent News
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2025-12-16
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