Chief Marketing & Communications Officer

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About The University of Texas at Austin

What starts here changes the world.

The University of Texas at Austin, founded in 1883, ranks among the 40 best universities in the world with top national programs across 19 colleges and schools. By creating educational opportunities for all and leading cutting-edge research at scale, the University fosters positive social change, technological advancement, and economic progress showing the world that change really does start here. An organizational priority is to successfully make UT the world's highest-impact public research university, unleashing knowledge, opportunity and innovation from the heart of Texas.

Learn more about UT'smission and values, andleadership.

UT Austin offers a competitive benefits package that includes:

• 100% employer-paid basic medical coverage

• Retirement contributions

• Paid vacation and sick time

• Paid holidays

Please visit ourHuman Resources (HR) websiteto learn more about the total benefits offered.

About The LBJ School of Public Affairs

The Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin is one of the nation's premier public policy schools. As Texas' top-ranked policy school for over 50 years, the LBJ School provides unmatched opportunities for students to engage with policymakers, industry leaders, accomplished faculty members and innovators in Austin and beyond. TheSchool is committed to improving the quality of public service in the United States and abroad at all levels of governance and civic engagement. Our goals are to prepare students and professionals for leadership positions in public service, produce interdisciplinary research to advance our understanding of complex societal problems and create solutions, promote effective public policy and management practice and foster civic engagement on issues of public concern.

Committed to advancing the quality of public service, the LBJ School continues to drive education, research and civic engagement at all levels of governance.

Reporting directly to the Dean of the LBJ School of Public Affairs, the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer (CMCO) provides strategic leadership for marketing, communications, and public relations initiatives for the LBJ School. This role oversees a dynamic team, manages media relations, and ensures alignment with university brand standards to enhance engagement, visibility, and supports School goals by driving and executing strategic communications, promotional activities and outward-facing initiatives across the full LBJ portfolio.

Executive Leadership

• Executive Deliverables: Work closely with the Dean's Office and internal collaborators to develop speeches, talking points, event scripts, reports, graphic design and presentations that advance institutional priorities.

• Team Leadership: Demonstrated capacity to lead, mentor, and motivate a multidisciplinary team; foster collaboration; build a positive and productive culture; and support professional growth for staff at all levels. Lead a team of marketing and creative professionals in advancing the LBJ School's strategic priorities while supporting the professional and career development of each team member.

• Issues & Crisis Management: Partner with the dean to monitor and manage reputational challenges and complex issues with clarity, speed and alignment across internal and external stakeholders. Develop action plans and coordinated responses in alignment with the Provost's Office and University Marketing and Communications.

Operational Oversight & Collaboration

• Budget and Resources: Plan and manage the School's marketing and communications budget and assets, ensuring effective and compliant use of resources.

• Campus Collaboration: Serve as a member of the University Marketing and Communications (UMAC) leadership team and partner closely with communications directors, senior marketing professionals and stakeholders across UT Austin.

• School-wide Integration: Strengthen communications within and across LBJ units and centers by elevating research, educational programs and outreach efforts; identifying and reaching target audiences; improving internal communications; solving communications challenges; and advancing goals related to fundraising, reputation management and community engagement.

Strategic Communications & Planning

• Strategic Planning: Oversee the creation of a long-term marketing and communications plan that aligns with the School's strategic vision. Clearly communicate institutional priorities through well-defined messaging frameworks and yearly action plans, maintaining consistency across all campaigns, programs, and leadership changes. Develop and execute digital strategies to provide a seamless experience for audiences on the LBJ website, social media, email campaigns, and other platforms. Establish reporting and analytics systems to measure effectiveness and promote ongoing improvement.

• Strategic Thinking & Counsel: Ability to develop comprehensive, long-range marketing and communications strategies that align with institutional priorities, anticipate emerging trends, and position the School for national leadership in public affairs. Provide strategic counsel to the dean and senior leadership on public relations, issues management, media relations, strategic communications, marketing, and branding.

• Executive & Internal Communications: Serve as the School's chief communications officer on matters influencing public image and reputation, working closely with the dean on developing impactful messaging, speeches, talking points, and executive-level communications that align with institutional priorities and enhance the School's public profile. Develop internal communications plans that strengthen faculty engagement, staff alignment and student belonging.

Marketing Leadership

• Media & Public Relations Oversee both proactive and responsive media relations to establish the School and its faculty as leading policy experts throughout Texas and across the nation. Track state and national developments impacting the School and analyze peer programs to enhance LBJ's prominence and impact. Build media relationships, handle all types of media interactions, and positioning faculty and leaders as authoritative voices in policy discussions.

• Content Strategy, Storytelling & Production:Demonstrated expertise in developing engaging content tailored to various platforms and audiences, including evergreen materials that support enrollment, research impact, alumni engagement, fundraising, and policy influence. Direct content strategy for major campaigns, particularly in enrollment management. Oversee the creation and production of print, digital, and social media content targeted to prospective and current students, faculty and staff, policymakers, media representatives, donors, and external partners. Design strategic, evergreen content adaptable for print, web, social channels, email, and events to ensure consistent and cohesive messaging across all platforms. Create modular content packages to support a variety of organizational priorities, such as research achievements, faculty expertise, student success, enrollment initiatives, and fundraising efforts.

• Digital Strategy: Develop and implement digital strategies to ensure a cohesive constituent experience across the LBJ website, social platforms, email campaigns and other channels. Build reporting and analytics infrastructure to evaluate performance and drive continuous improvement.

• Marketing Strategy & Brand Management: Demonstrates expertise in brand strategy, digital marketing, content development, advertising, audience segmentation, and enrollment marketing, with a record of successful integrated campaigns. Collaborates on short- and long-term strategies for programs and initiatives, leading marketing efforts that strengthen recruitment and boost the School's reputation. Sets clear goals, tracks results, and adapts strategies to meet changing needs. Guides a multidisciplinary team, promotes collaboration, and supports staff growth in line with strategic priorities.

• Event Support: Support and promote dozens of School events each year, driving audience engagement, messaging, logistics and overall impact in collaboration with faculty, staff and the marketing and communications team.

• Bachelor's degree with at least 10 years of experience in public relations, communications, marketing, business, political science, public affairs, and/or a relevant combination of education and experience.

• Proven ability to build strong partnerships with internal and external stakeholders and staff at all levels who will represent the organization with a high degree of integrity, diplomacy and professionalism.

• Comprehensive understanding of digital ecosystems, including websites, social media, CRM, and email platforms, with the ability to drive coherent digital experiences across channels.

• Leadership experience and a proven track record of delivering successful marketing and communications initiatives and strategies.

• Experience envisioning, developing, and implementing successful and comprehensive strategic communications plans based on an organization's goals and priorities. Using analytics, reporting, and performance metrics to guide strategy, evaluate outcomes, and optimize campaigns and communications efforts.

• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and creatively, work well under pressure, deliver against timelines, and manage details of concurrent projects. Proven experience in media relations, stakeholder communications, and social media strategy.

• Outstanding written and oral communication skills, keen ability to organize, and prioritize projects, manage budgets, and oversee complex initiatives with attention to detail and accountability.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

• Master's degree or higher in communications, marketing, business or a related field. More than ten years of leadership experience in delivering successful high-profile marketing and communications initiatives and strategies in a higher education environment.

• Familiarity with audience groups including undergraduate students, graduate students, alumni, faculty, staff and external partners/stakeholders.

$125,000 + depending on qualifications

• Standard office conditions.

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

• Some additional work hours, including evenings and weekends, may be required.

• Supervision of communications team staff.

• May be eligible for a flexible work arrangement after initial review period

• Resume/CV, please include link to available portfolio

• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor

• Letter of interest

Importantfor applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers:You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure thatALLRequired Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers:As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questionspresented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer,complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to

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