Assistant Director of Communications

Job Posting Title:

Assistant Director of Communications

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Hiring Department:

Department of Computer Science

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Jan 01, 2026

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

General Notes

This position will support the university’s Department of Computer Science (UTCS), which boasts a top ten ranking from US News and more than 6,500 students across all programs. This places UT among the most significant intellectual hubs for computer science research and education anywhere in the world. UTCS has a close relationship with Austin’s thriving tech culture and works at the forefront of fields such as artificial intelligence, robotics, quantum computing, and cybersecurity. The Assistant Director of Communications & Texas AI Communications Lead serves as a key strategic partner to the Director of Marketing and Communications. The role leads execution of the department’s editorial, digital, and media strategy; manages major storytelling and internal communications efforts; and directs all communications and marketing for Texas AI, a university-wide initiative.

This position requires a strategic thinker with strong project management skills—someone who can shape communications direction while also driving day-to-day execution.

Purpose

Serve as a key strategic partner to the Director of Marketing and Communications. Lead execution of the department’s editorial, digital, and media strategy; manage major storytelling and internal communications efforts; and direct all communications and marketing for Texas AI, a university-wide initiative.

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.

Required Qualifications

• 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 Qualifications

• 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.

Salary Range

$90,000+ depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• Standard office environment.

• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation.

• Occasional evening or weekend work may be required.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

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

• Letter of interest

Important for 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 that ALL Required 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 questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

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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.

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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 a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.