Penn State Job Catalog

The Strategic Communications Manager - University Partnerships and Engagement works within the Office of Strategic Communications and serves as a strategic partner to academic and administrative units across the University; develops and strengthens relationships with communications leaders to align unit-level communications with institutional priorities and strategic initiatives; leads the Lead Communications Council (LCC) and facilitates collaboration, knowledge sharing, and adoption of communications best practices across the University; coordinates cross-unit communications initiatives and partnerships; assesses communications effectiveness and identifies opportunities for continuous improvement; supports strategic communications initiatives, institutional storytelling, and corporate engagement activities that advance University priorities and visibility.

• Lead the Lead Communications Council (LCC), establish priorities and agendas, facilitate collaboration among communications leaders, and coordinate initiatives that support University communications priorities
• Build and maintain effective relationships with communications professionals across colleges, campuses, and administrative units; understand unit priorities and challenges; connect communications needs and opportunities with central Strategic Communications resources and initiatives
• Develop and coordinate communications strategies and initiatives that support institutional priorities, strategic initiatives, and presidential priorities; promote consistency with University communications standards and practices
• Facilitate collaboration among central Strategic Communications teams and unit communicators to coordinate communications activities, share resources, reduce duplication, and strengthen institutional alignment
• Serve as a communications resource and strategic partner to unit leaders and communicators on communications planning, strategy, messaging, engagement, and institutional communications needs
• Identify and coordinate opportunities to elevate University stories, accomplishments, innovations, and successful communications efforts across the institution; share effective practices, campaigns, and approaches to strengthen communications effectiveness and visibility
• Develop and implement communications performance measures, reporting approaches, and assessment practices; analyze data and performance indicators to identify trends, opportunities, and recommendations for improving communications effectiveness and operational performance
• Coordinate strategic projects and cross-functional initiatives on behalf of the Office of Strategic Communications; collaborate with leadership and subject matter experts to develop plans, coordinate activities, and advance project objectives
• Serve as a communications liaison to the Corporate Engagement Office; coordinate communications associated with strategic corporate partnerships and identify opportunities to highlight University research, innovation, workforce development, academic expertise, and industry engagement
• Establish and maintain relationships with communicators supporting corporate engagement activities across research, economic development, advancement, workforce development, athletics, and academic units; coordinate communications opportunities involving multiple University stakeholders
• Support communications initiatives that strengthen the University's reputation, visibility, and engagement with internal and external stakeholders
• Monitor emerging communications practices, trends, and opportunities; recommend approaches that improve collaboration, consistency, measurement, and effectiveness across the University's communications network
• Hire, train, supervise, coach, and evaluate staff, assign and prioritize work, establish performance expectations, and provide ongoing feedback and development

Level:

– Principal Manager

Base Description:

– Manages direct reports where primary duty is the management of a working unit.

Level Summary:

– Demonstrates awareness of broad issues and management trends. Applies exemplary management principles. Evaluates impact of policy and adjusts accordingly. Ensures appropriate skills are developed and maintained within team/unit. Realigns staff responsibilities to meet desired changes. Provides administrative and policy direction. Develops and articulates broad goals. Fosters collaboration between units. Engages in written and verbal communications that reach a university-wide and/or broad external audience. Develops and implements solutions to highly complex and often controversial problems.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

– Oversees teams of other supervisors/managers
– Leads a business unit

Fiscal Responsibilities:

– Plans, forecasts, develops, and/or approves budgets
– Typically has final signature authority for business unit

Problem Solving:

– Encounters highly varied and complex problems that may have a significant impact on multiple units and/or the University
– Regularly develops creative and/or novel approaches to resolve the most difficult problems
– Creates an environment that encourages imaginative solutions to problems

Independence of Action:

– Work results are not clearly defined and may be frequently changing
– Sets own goals and determines how to accomplish results with few or no guidelines to follow
– Oversees completed work of others and is accountable for unit results
– Delegates advanced tasks to others and provides guidance to team members

Communication and Collaboration:

– Communicates with both internal and external audiences
– May represent the University externally
– Collaborates closely with team members and other leaders across the University
– Communicates a compelling vision that inspires and motivates others

• Comp Grade – 17
• Minimum – $150,204.00
• MidPoint – $191,544.00
• Maximum – $232,776.00