Job Details

Senior Communications Specialist

Position Number: 9744777
Location: Boulder, United States
Position Type: Public Relations, Marketing and Communications

Senior Communications Specialist

Requisition Number: 73995
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: University Staff
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 12-Aug-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Division of Natural Sciences encourages applications for the Senior Communications Specialist position! This role supports the Division of Natural Sciences (NSCI) in the College of Arts and Sciences to develop, plan, lead, and coordinate strategic communications that highlight research, academic programs, student opportunities, and achievements for an external audience. As a member of the college communications team, this position serves as a critical connector between NSCI, college, and university communications partners to support the reputation, recruitment, and retention priorities of NSCI, especially as they relate to college strategic priorities and campus institutional priorities. This position reports to the assistant dean for communications.
The individual in this role must have a strong communications background and excellent skills in organization and prioritization. To facilitate the required activities, the individual must be knowledgeable of the division and its 14 departments and Public Health program as well as college and campus communication strategies and standard processes. Further, the successful candidate must have a demonstrated ability to independently handle multiple self-directed projects that may, at times, have contending priorities and due dates. 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

The College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder is the intellectual core of the university, conducting research, scholarship, creative work and education in more than 60 fields. Our research generates new knowledge, solving some of the world's most critical problems!
The college leads nationally in undergraduate and graduate education in the natural sciences, social sciences and arts and humanities, bringing world-class research and scholarship to our students, both in and out of the classroom.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Coordinate and Advance NSCI Communications

Serve as the primary communications liaison for departments and programs to coordinate and advance NSCI communication priorities. Maintain partnerships with communicators in related institutes to coordinate stories and announcements, and to broaden reach.
Serve as the communications expert advising department leadership, faculty and staff on communicating department strengths through compelling storytelling.
Collaborate with department leadership and the college's director of editorial communications to find opportunities to increase NSCI visibility, media engagement and strategic promotion opportunities.
Advise division and department leadership on defining objectives, messaging, audiences and metrics for diverse communications needs across the division.
Advise departments on connecting communications with broader college priorities, campus institutional priorities and current events for greater amplification.
Collaborate with college communications colleagues to advise departments on integrated marketing and communications strategies, content planning and standard processes across web, social media and other digital communications channels to advance NSCI.
Facilitate external communications including requests for interviews, news releases and media requests for experts in partnership with college and campus communications. Partner with the university's Strategic Relations and Communications team to prepare faculty and staff for positive engagement with the media.
Identify trends, opportunities and audience insights to inform communications planning and priorities.

Develop, Produce and Lead NSCI Communications

Independently design, develop and implement strategic communications plans in collaboration with department, division and college communications leadership that address a complex array of situations, scopes and assignments.
Produce news articles, web copy, social posts, multimedia and other content for publication across NSCI, college and campus channels.
Provide project development and management to build out the division's critical communications infrastructure and strengthen the division's visual identity.
Design products and processes that support departmental communications needs at scale.
Work with internal and external partners to ensure messages reach the intended audiences (media, university leadership, partners and the public).
Develop NSCI communications for distribution through the university email marketing platform.
Identify, lead and contribute to college communications campaigns that originate in NSCI, such as new degrees, program name changes or new program launches.
Create and curate compelling visuals for social media and websites within the college's Digital Asset Management system.

Other

Regularly analyze and deliver market and audience insights and tracking to NSCI leadership on reach, digital engagement, and communications effectiveness.
Support college communications initiatives and projects as assigned.
Participate in professional development activities.
May supervise student employees supporting communications and content development activities.

What You Should Know

The work schedule for this hybrid position is Monday-Friday, 8-5 p.m., with a minimum of 3 in-person days per week. May require more in-person days as needed.

What We Can Offer

The annual salary for this full-time position is $70,900 - $75,000. Onboarding assistance may be available.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Bachelor's degree in journalism, communication, public relations, marketing or another relevant field.
3+ years of professional-level experience in journalism, communications, public relations, marketing or related field.
A combination of relevant education, training and/or experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis.

What You Will Need

Demonstrated commitment to promoting diverse and inclusive communications and communities.
Sensitivity to and appreciation of cultural, political and geographical differences with the ability to work effectively with faculty, staff and students from around the world.
Strong organizational, prioritization and time-management skills.
Ability to handle multiple tasks, priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.
Ability to adapt to changing situations and priorities.
Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a complex organizational environment.

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 August 12th, 2026 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.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Senior-Communications-Specialist/73995