Description

The Institute on Disability and Community (IIDC) at Indiana University (IU) is the state's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. IIDC works to advance inclusion and quality of life for people with disabilities across the lifespan. Through 7 centers, IIDC provides research, training, technical assistance, and resource development to people with disabilities and their families, educators, service providers, policymakers, and communities. Its work spans early childhood, education, employment, community living, behavioral health, and disability rights. As part of Indiana University, IIDC brings together interdisciplinary expertise to ensure every Hoosier can participate fully in school, work, and community life.

Job Summary

The Director of Strategic Communications provides vision, leadership, and oversight for communications and public engagement at the IIDC. This position advances IIDC's mission through brand stewardship, audience growth, data-driven strategy, and accessible storytelling. The Director serves as a thought partner to IIDC leadership and ensures alignment with Indiana University standards and policies.
Department-Specific Responsibilities

• Provide strategic communications leadership
  • Develop/lead crisis communications planning, escalation protocols, and rapid response
  • Direct internal communications to promote alignment, transparency, and staff engagement across IIDC centers
  • Ensure compliance with IU brand, accessibility, and public communications policies
• Oversee audience engagement, digital, and data strategy
  • Lead a coordinated audience growth strategy across social media, CRM, email marketing, and digital campaigns
  • Use analytics from all platforms to measure performance, refine strategy, and guide resource allocation
  • Conduct audience research and segmentation to tailor content for policymakers, funders, educators, disability advocates, and the public
  • Oversee integrated content calendars and synchronized messaging across channels
  • Pilot emerging formats and platforms (e.g., podcasts, interactive tools, AI-assisted content) to expand reach
  • Coordinate with IIDC centers to amplify priority initiatives and ensure consistent, accessible messaging
• Engage in special initiatives and partnerships
  • Provide communications leadership for time-bound, high-impact projects that advance IIDC's strategic priorities
  • Coordinate cross-center collaborations, including web-based resource hubs, training platforms, and public awareness campaigns
  • Build and maintain relationships with sector partners, coalitions, and influencers to extend visibility and engagement
• Provide web leadership
  • Lead the strategy, content, accessibility, and user experience of the IIDC website in alignment with IU standards
  • Ensure the site offers engaging, accurate, and up-to-date content
  • Integrate web analytics to monitor audience pathways, measure reach, and guide improvements
  • Partner with IU's Office of IT Innovation and Development on functionality, performance, and security
• Engage in media relations
  • Cultivate relationships with journalists and media outlets
  • Prepare press releases, op-eds, talking points, and media briefings, as needed
  • Provide media training and coaching for IIDC leadership and subject-matter experts, as needed
• Oversee people, budget, and operations
  • Supervise communications staff, contractors, and interns, setting goals and providing professional development
  • Establish editorial governance, review cycles, and accessibility checklists for all outputs
  • Ensure data privacy and security in CRM and email systems per IU policies

General Responsibilities

• Direct day-to-day operations for the marketing and communications function by providing oversight and direction within a department or large multi-faceted department
• Train, evaluate, coach, assign work, and supervise the work of a team of Communications Generalists and/or Communications Assistants
• Manage relationships with various internal and external stakeholders; determine communications needs, projects, and programs to align with objectives and goals and supervise processes such as the development of communications timelines related to such initiatives
• Review drafts of communications and coach on grammar, tone, branding guidelines, formatting, and other elements that may affect the perception of messaging or reputation of the department
• Respond to escalated and complex inquiries and requests and explain policies, procedures, and context of communications
• Regularly monitor relevant social media and news sites; research relevant subject matter to increase knowledge in area(s) of specialty
• Monitor industry trends and best practices and make process and operational and strategic recommendations to manager
• May assist in budget planning and administration for communications initiatives, including expenditures, revenue projections, and program costs

Qualifications

Combinations of related education and experience may be considered. Education beyond the minimum required may be substituted for work experience. Work experience beyond the minimum required may be substituted for education.

EDUCATION
Required

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, English, public relations, or related field

Preferred

• Master's degree in a related field

WORK EXPERIENCE
Required

• 2 years in relevant field

Preferred

• 5 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, preferably in higher education, research, or nonprofit settings
• Experience in media relations, and high-profile initiatives
• Experience with CRM-driven campaigns and marketing automation
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams in complex stakeholder environments

SKILLS
Required

• Proficient written and verbal communication skills
• Maintains a high degree of professionalism
• Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
• Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
• Excellent organizational skills
• Excellent collaboration and team building skills
• Effectively coaches and delivers constructive feedback
• Instills commitment to organizational goals

Preferred

• Demonstrates success in brand stewardship, audience engagement, digital strategy, and analytics-driven decision-making
• Strong writing, editing, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to translate complex topics for diverse audiences
• Commitment to accessibility in all communications

Working Conditions / Demands

This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.

Work Location

Bloomington, Indiana

Benefits Overview

For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:

• Comprehensive medical and dental insurance
• Health savings account with generous IU contributions
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Basic group life insurance paid by IU
• Voluntary supplemental life, long-term disability, critical illness, and supplemental accidental death & dismemberment insurance
• Base retirement plan with generous IU contributions, subject to vesting
• Voluntary supplemental retirement plan options
• Tuition subsidy for employees and family members taking IU courses
• 10 paid holidays plus a paid winter break each year
• Generous paid time off plans
• Paid leave for new parents and IU-sponsored volunteer events
• Employee assistance program (EAP)

Learn more about our benefits by reviewing the IU Benefit Programs Brochure .

Job Classification

Career Level: Operational
FLSA: Exempt
Job Function: Marketing & Communications
Job Family: Communications Generalist
Click here to learn more about Indiana University's Job Framework.

Posting Disclaimer

This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.
If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Indiana University is an equal opportunity employer and provider of ADA services and prohibits discrimination in hiring. See Indiana University Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information .

Campus Safety and Security

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online . You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at [email protected] or by visiting IUPD.