Director of Communications

professional opportunities that span the campus and community. University employees can choose from a wide range of professional training opportunities for career growth, skill development and lifelong learning and enjoy exclusive perks for numerous retail, restaurant and performing arts discounts, savings on local child care centers and special rates on select campus events. UNC-Chapel Hill offers full-time employees a comprehensive benefits package , paid leave, and a variety of health, life and retirement plans and additional programs that support a healthy work/life balance.

Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:

The Office of Research Communications serves the University by conveying the value of research conducted at Carolina to the people of North Carolina and the world. The office produces the UNC Research website and Endeavors, the University’s digital research magazine. ORC supports the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR)’s administrative offices and centers and institutes with communication and marketing services including strategic planning and guidance, content creation, graphic design, event planning, website administration, executive communications, and amplification of research news and events.

Position Summary:

The Director of Communications serves as a senior communications leader for the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR), reporting to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Research and working closely with University Communications and Marketing (UCM) and the Vice Chancellor for Research (VCR) to advance a comprehensive communications strategy that elevates the visibility, impact, and reputation of the UNC Research enterprise.

The Director provides strategic oversight of the Office of Research Communications (ORC), leading a high performing team responsible for advancing the visibility, impact, reputation, and competitive standing of Carolina’s research enterprise. The Director also oversees internal and external communications efforts, working at the intersection of research strategy, federal policy, compliance communications, and institutional leadership, requiring scientific literacy, regulatory fluency, and a sophisticated understanding of the federal research funding landscape. The Director serves as the primary communications partner to the VCR as a national voice on research policy across federal agencies, Congress, APLU and AAU leadership, and the broader higher education community.

The Director leads integrated communications strategy across ORC’s full portfolio: executive communications and thought leadership, research impact storytelling, compliance and policy communications to a 20,000-member research community, stakeholder and philanthropic materials for donors, legislators, and federal partners, and community engagement including OVCR Office Hours and University Research Week. They also oversee the OVCR’s primary communications channels to ensure alignment, reach, and engagement. This work is aligned with the OVCR’s Research Roadmap, directly supporting research expenditure growth, faculty recruitment and retention, federal funding relationships, and the national reputation metrics that determine institutional standing.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Relevant post-Baccalaureate degree required (or foreign degree equivalent) with three years or greater of related professional experience; for candidates demonstrating comparable professional backgrounds, will accept a relevant Bachelor’s degree (or foreign degree equivalent) and five years or greater of relevant experience in substitution.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

• Demonstrated experience managing communications and marketing strategy
• 8 years of experience successfully managing projects and communications for a large, complex organization, including working collaboratively within a matrixed communications environment
• Demonstrated experience developing and communicating strategic messages across diverse media, platforms, and audiences.
• Capable of inspiring a creative team of writers, storytellers, producers and designers.
• Strong writer and editor, capable of quickly grasping complex scientific concepts and communicating their substance and value visually and in writing in ways that make them easily understood by a general audience.
• Committed to the production of high-quality content with an attention to detail and be able to inspire the production of such work in others.
• Experience simultaneously managing multiple short-term projects while maintaining focus on long-term projects and delivering on strategic objectives and deadlines.
• Skilled at building and managing external relationships and collaborating in a decentralized, diverse university environment with a team approach that combines collegiality and creativity to motivate others.
• Experience developing executive communications and positioning senior leaders as effective public voices across multiple channels and audiences
• Familiarity with the federal research funding landscape and the compliance and policy environment governing university research, or demonstrated ability to rapidly develop that expertise
• Proven ability to serve as a chief liaison between OVCR leadership, University leadership, faculty, staff and students and communications leaders and organizations across the University and beyond.
• Able to persuade people to follow communication processes and standards even when individuals do not report directly to them.
• Models integrity, innovation, adaptability, inclusion, responsible use of resources, continuous quality improvement and creativity.
• Diplomatic, collaborative, and able to function well in a matrixed organization and to motivate individuals and teams to follow communication and brand standards that enhance brand identity.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience:

Ten or more years of experience successfully managing and overseeing a communications office for a large, complex organization and working collaboratively within a matrixed communications environment.

Campus Security Authority Responsibilities:

Not Applicable.

Organization

The nation’s first public university is at the heart of what’s next, preparing a diverse student body to become creators, explorers, innovators and leaders in North Carolina and throughout the world. Carolina’s nationally recognized, innovative teaching, campus-wide spirit of inquiry and dedication to public service continue the legacy that began in 1795 when the University first opened its doors to students.

Here, in one of America's most beautiful college settings, we offer exceptional careers in richly diverse fields. Come explore what UNC-Chapel Hill has to offer you.

Undergraduate Enrollment: 19,117

Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,894

Total Student Enrollment: 30,011

Founded: 1789, as the first state university in the United States

Type of Institution: Public, four-year

Undergraduate Admission: 15,961

Graduate/Professional Enrollment: 10,039

Total Student Enrollment: 26,000

Faculty: 3,000

Percentage of faculty who hold Ph.D.s or the highest degrees in their field: 94 percent

Faculty/student ratio: 1/14

Location: UNC is located in the heart of Chapel Hill, the best college town in America! It's a friendly town of about 40,000 in the geographical center of North Carolina. Chapel Hill is at the western point of the Research Triangle, an area of about one million people, comprised of Chapel Hill, the cities of Durham and Raleigh, and the Research Triangle Park, home of many corporate offices and scientific research centers. Carolina is about 30 miles from the state capital, Raleigh, and 20 minutes from Raleigh-Durham International Airport.

Chapel Hill's main street, Franklin Street, borders the campus and offers shops, coffee houses, cafés, movie theaters and houses of worship. The town has a historic district, museum, library, parks, malls, and many recreational facilities.

Origins of Carolina's students: 82 percent of UNC's freshmen are from North Carolina and 18 percent are from out-of-state. Our students come from 42 different states and our international students represent 37 countries.

Size of freshman class: Approximately 3,400

Class size: Barely five percent of undergraduate classes contain more than 100 students; two-thirds of undergraduate classes have fewer than 30 students. Forty-one percent have fewer than 20 students, including First Year Seminars, in which first-year students work closely with professors.

Sports and athletic programs: UNC is an NCAA Division I school with 28 varsity teams. Carolina is the proud home of the Dean Smith Center, Kenan Stadium, Carmichael Auditorium, Koury Natatorium, and many other fine athletic facilities. Students join more than 60 intramural and club sports, which include baseball, bowling, crew, golf, lacrosse, rock climbing, rugby, tae kwon do, and ultimate frisbee. The Student Recreation Center offers weight training, aerobics, stair machines, and all the equipment you would expect to find at a great health club! Carolina offers a newly renovated outdoor pool and indoor pools, a golf course, tennis courts, and the longest zipline in America!

Number of residence halls: Incoming undergraduates will live in one of Carolina's 29 residence halls, which are wired for Internet access and cable television. housing.unc.edu

Scholarships and financial aid: About 40 percent of UNC-Chapel Hill students receive scholarships and/or some form of financial aid. studentaid.unc.edu

Special research institutes: Institute for Research in Social Science, Institute of Outdoor Drama, Morehead Planetarium, Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise, Institute of Government, Institute of African American Research.

Career services: On-campus counseling, job fairs, résumé writing service, internships, placement services. www.unc.edu/depts/career

Technological facilities: Students find multiple uses for Carolina's state-of-the-art technological resources. They can access Carolina's computer services through Academic Technology and Networks, which manages academic computing, e-mail, microcomputing labs, interactive media presentation, video and classroom support, and a help desk. The MetaLab oversees the development of SunSITE, one of the world's busiest digital library and electronic publishing projects.

Students may open e-mail accounts, and many use campus computer resources to construct personal Web pages. Students in residence halls have hardwired network connections to the Internet and cable television in their rooms. At the ATN Training center, students may take classes on software packages and utilities. Computer labs are available for student use all over campus.

Carolina Computing Initiative: Beginning with the freshman class of 2000, undergraduates must purchase laptop computers. The University has arranged for IBM to offer computers at excellent prices. Students, faculty, and staff will enjoy cost savings, higher quality compatible equipment, and better technical support through CCI. www.unc.edu/cci

The Study Abroad program allows students to live and learn in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific Rim, Africa, and the Americas. www.unc.edu/depts/abroad

The Honors Program offers special seminars, research programs, and the chance to design your own independent studies. www.unc.edu/depts/honors

Carolina students spend time in public service through student organizations, the Campus Y, the Carolina Center for Public Service, and courses that incorporate community service.

UNC's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa, a national collegiate honor society, is the oldest in North Carolina, dating from 1904. There are many other honorary societies at Carolina.

UNC offers ROTC programs in all branches of national military service.

Through the First Year Seminars program, first year students will understand what it means to study at a premier research university. They will learn from faculty members and share in their research in seminars of no more than 20 students.

Life outside the classroom: More than 370 clubs, teams, and student organizations offer something for everyone! You can choose from among musical and dramatic performing groups, publications, ethnic and religious clubs, the Campus Y and other service organizations, fraternities and sororities, and pre-professional organizations. Whatever your interests, you will find others at Carolina who share them! www.unc.edu/depts/union/student/listintr.htm