<p>Working at Yale means contributing to a better tomorrow. Whether you are a current resident of our New Haven-based community- eligible for opportunities through the New Haven Hiring Initiative or a newcomer, interested in exploring all that Yale has to offer, your talents and contributions are welcome. Discover your opportunities at Yale!</p> <p>Salary Range</p> <p>$81,900.00 - $163,425.00</p> <p>Overview Reporting to the Chief of Staff, Office of the Secretary and Vice President for University Life (OSVPUL), the Director of Communications advances the university's strategic priorities related to university life by developing and executing individual and comprehensive communications strategies. These strategies are designed to share key information and resources, promote educational programming, and shape institutional culture in partnership with both internal and external experts, including the President's Office, Office of the Provost, Office of Public Affairs and Communications (OPAC), as well as faculty and staff across the institution. As the division's primary communications specialist, the Director ensures that university life programming and events are aligned with both immediate and long-term strategic communications goals. The Director provides high-level guidance and content development and production for divisional and university initiatives, including Belonging at Yale and Cultivating Conversation. The Director also provides communications and copywriting support to the Secretary and Vice President for University Life, the Chief of Staff, and other senior leaders and units within the division, including the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility, Student Accessibility Services, and the Office of LGBTQ Resources. The Director must be able to exercise sound judgment, exhibit excellent discretion, and maintain confidentiality. This role is responsible for planning and producing all communications-related aspects of major university life events and traditions (working closely with the university events team), and strategic initiatives. The Director also maintains consistency in the division's communications efforts across platforms and audiences, internal and external. The Director brings excellent writing, editing, and storytelling skills; a collaborative mindset; a strong understanding of digital platforms; and a commitment to university life and community engagement. The ideal candidate has experience translating complex institutional goals into clear and compelling communications tailored to a wide range of audiences, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and external partners. Key responsibilities include: Designing and executing comprehensive communications campaigns through collaboration with OSVPUL, OPAC, and campus stakeholders. Preparing responsive communications (e.g., campaign language, messages, scripts, video captions) to support crisis management, division and institutional priorities, and key university resources. Certain needs and projects may involve tight deadlines or require rapid response. Creating and sustaining effective campus and community partnerships to support collaborative communications efforts with campus units, cultural centers, student and affinity groups, Yale Public Safety, the City of New Haven, third-party vendors, etc. Partnering with OSVPUL, OPAC, and subject matter experts to craft and implement multi-modal communications strategies for university initiatives. This includes overseeing branding, content development, visual design, event support, collateral materials, website design, and the training of campus partners. Managing and executing large-group communications for the OSVPUL leadership and teams; ensuring branding, sponsorships, content updates, and positioning meet university standards; overseeing divisional web content and social media presence. Serving as the lead content strategist and copywriter for websites managed by OSVPUL and advising divisional partners on content structure and standards to maintain consistency and quality across platforms. May perform other duties as assigned. Required Skills and Abilities 1. Strong Writing, Editing, and Storytelling The Director must possess exceptional writing and editing skills to craft compelling, clear, and strategic content for a variety of formats and audiences. The ability to translate complex institutional priorities into accessible language is essential. 2. Strategic Communications Planning and Execution The Director must be able to develop and implement long- and short-term communications strategies that align with the university's goals and values; to anticipate institutional needs and respond to emerging issues; and to manage projects with multiple stakeholders. 3. Digital and Web Content Management The Director manages the design and maintenance of high-profile websites and platforms. They must have a working knowledge of web content strategy, accessibility standards, and user experience design; to coordinate web content consistency across offices; and to translate messaging into digital formats. 4. Crisis and Issues Communications The Director must be able to support communications in response to crisis situations or time-sensitive issues, which includes drafting timely messages, preparing remarks or scripts, and aligning responses with university tone and values. Discretion, judgment, and maintaining confidentiality are critical. 5. Cross-Functional Collaboration and Partnership Development The Director must have strong interpersonal skills and a solutions-oriented approach. Building and maintaining collaborative relationships within the division and across a complex institution is a core function of this role and essential to success. Preferred Education, Experience and Skills Advanced degree in relevant field and prior experience in higher education preferred.</p> <p>Principal Responsibilities</p> <p>1) Manage a team of communication professionals; responsible for developing staff. 2) Manage relationships with key stakeholders with a high degree of professionalism, judgment, and understanding of stakeholder goals. 3) Oversee design and manage communication plans for stakeholders by understanding the significance of initiatives, administrative and departmental priorities. 4) Ensure organizational effectiveness of administration through short-term and long-range communication planning with insight into audiences, channels, and culture; coordinate with other professionals to achieve institutional goals. 5) Lead planning activities with clients and partners; lead communication process within developed standards and protocol. 6) Create and edit compelling stories; oversee and create content for internal and external channels. 7) Analyze and understand various communication preferences to promote initiatives; create, evaluate, analyze reports based on metrics. 8) Manage multimedia content including video, graphic, web, and photography. 9) Provide guidance and support for departmental projects and services. Required Education and Experience Bachelor's degree in Communications, English, Journalism or related field and six years of experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.</p> <p>Background Check Requirements</p> <p>All candidates for employment will be subject to pre-employment background screening for this position, which may include motor vehicle, DOT certification, drug testing and credit checks based on the position description and job requirements. All offers are contingent upon the successful completion of the background check. For additional information on the background check requirements and process visit "Learn about background checks" under the Applicant Support Resources section of Careers on the It's Your Yale website.</p> <p>Health Requirements</p> <p>Certain positions have associated health requirements based on specific job responsibilities. These may include vaccinations, tests, or examinations, as required by law, regulation, or university policy.</p> <p>Posting Disclaimer</p> <p>Salary offers are determined by a candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education in relation to the position requirements, along with the role's grade profile and current internal and external market conditions.</p> <p>The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the essential functions that will be required of the position and should not be construed as a declaration of specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Employees will be assigned specific job-related duties through their hiring department.</p> <p>The University is committed to basing judgments concerning the admission, education, and employment of individuals upon their qualifications and abilities and seeks to attract to its faculty, staff, and student body qualified persons from a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. In accordance with this policy and as delineated by federal and Connecticut law, Yale does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment against any individual on account of that individual's sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, age, disability, status as a special disabled veteran, veteran of the Vietnam era or other covered veteran.</p> <p>Inquiries concerning Yale's Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity and Accessibility (OIEA).</p> <p>Note</p> <p>Yale University is a tobacco-free campus.</p>