Posting Number req26417
Department RII Research Communications
Department Website Link www.research.arizona.edu
Location Tucson Campus
Address Tucson, AZ USA
Position Highlights
The Office of Research & Partnership's (ORP) Marketing & Communications team is in search of a Senior Communications Strategist. The Senior Communications Strategist creates and leads comprehensive content strategies that advance the strategic vision, research priorities, and institutional goals of the University of Arizona and the Office of Research, Innovation and Impact (ORP). Independently researches, develops, and executes high-impact communications across digital, print, multimedia, and executive platforms for internal and external audiences. This position also serves as a strategic communications advisor to leadership and campus partners, leveraging analytics, emerging technologies, and industry best practices to maximize audience engagement, institutional visibility, and brand alignment.
Lasting Impact through Strong Partnerships: By collaborating with industry, government, nonprofits and communities, The University of Arizona translates discovery into action that drives progress for the public good, extending the impact of research far beyond the university campus.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!
The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs.
Duties & Responsibilities
Integrated Communications and Marketing Strategy:
Lead the planning, development, and execution of integrated communications and marketing strategies that advance ORP and university priorities.
Develop content and campaign strategies that support research visibility, stakeholder engagement, recruitment, event promotion, and organizational objectives.
Partner with faculty, researchers, administrators, and campus stakeholders to identify communications and marketing needs and recommend strategic solutions.
Provide guidance on messaging, audience engagement, content strategy, and communications best practices.
Ensure consistent messaging, brand alignment, and audience-centered communications across all channels.
Strategic Content Development and Editorial Leadership:
Write, evaluate, review, and edit high-quality communications including feature stories, website content, publications, campaign materials, presentations, marketing collateral, and multimedia content.
Independently research, identify story opportunities, conduct interviews, and develop compelling narratives that support institutional goals.
Maintain editorial standards and ensure accuracy, consistency, and quality across communications deliverables.
Lead complex content projects from concept through execution while coordinating with multiple stakeholders.
Marketing Campaign Development and Audience Engagement:
Develop and implement marketing initiatives that increase awareness of ORP programs, services, events, and research achievements.
Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify target audiences and create tailored communication and marketing strategies.
Support digital marketing efforts through content development, audience segmentation, and channel optimization.
Influence communications standards and messaging approaches across projects to support organizational objectives.
Analytics, Assessment, and Innovation:
Establish and evaluate content and campaign performance metrics to assess effectiveness and inform strategic decision-making.
Analyze audience engagement data and apply insights to improve communication and marketing outcomes.
Identify emerging communications and marketing trends, technologies, and best practices and recommend innovative approaches to content development and distribution.
Use data-driven insights to refine content strategies and improve organizational impact.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Demonstrated ability to influence stakeholders and provide strategic communications guidance.
Ability to develop and execute integrated communications and marketing strategies.
Ability to independently manage complex projects and exercise sound judgment with minimal supervision.
Ability to identify emerging trends and apply innovative approaches.
This job posting reflects the general nature and level of work expected of the selected candidate(s). It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The institution reserves the right to amend or update this description as organizational priorities and institutional needs evolve.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree or equivalent advanced learning attained through professional level experience required.
Minimum of 8 years of relevant work experience, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience writing talking points for leadership.
Higher ed marketing or communications experience.
Experience with/understanding of emerging technologies.
Experience with, or a strong interest in, academic research.
Experience with digital content management.
Experience evaluating effectiveness through analytics and performance metrics.
FLSA Exempt
Full Time/Part Time Full Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week 40
Job FTE 1.0
Work Calendar Fiscal
Job Category Communication and Marketing
Benefits Eligible Yes - Full Benefits
Rate of Pay $65,687 - $85,393
Compensation Type salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Grade 9
Compensation Guidance The Rate of Pay Field represents the University of Arizona’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. The University considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, key skills, and internal equity.
The Grade Range represent a full range of career compensation growth over time. The university offers compensation growth opportunities within its career architecture. To learn more about compensation, please review our Applicant Compensation Guide and our Total Rewards Calculator.
Career Stream and Level PC4
Job Family Content Development
Job Function Communications & Marketing
Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
Number of Vacancies 1
Target Hire Date
Expected End Date
Contact Information for Candidates Lisa Black I
[email protected]
Open Date 7/2/2026
Open Until Filled Yes
Documents Needed to Apply Resume, Cover Letter, and One Additional Document
Special Instructions to Applicant
Please add the following additional document (an original writing sample) to your application: A feature story, press release sample or communications/marketing campaign.
Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University’s campuses. These reports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at
[email protected].
