What are the responsibilities and job description for the Communications Manager position at Syracuse University?
Job Description
The Communications Manager serves as a strategic digital leader responsible for elevating SU Global’s brand, driving enrollment, and engaging audiences across Syracuse University’s online programs. This role requires programmatic marketing knowledge, exceptional writing versatility, project management experience, ability to translate complex academic offerings into accessible content, and comfort operating at startup velocity.
Reporting to the Executive Director of Operations, the Manager produces content across web, email, social media, recruitment materials, and thought leadership to reach prospective students, learners, alumni, faculty, and industry partners, working with external agencies to deliver quality digital presence. This position requires collaboration with enrollment teams, program directors, student success staff, central communications offices, and agencies to ensure messaging consistency, brand alignment, and visibility. The ideal candidate thrives in fast-paced environments, manages competing priorities with minimal supervision, delivers publication-ready content under tight deadlines, and brings entrepreneurial energy. This is a campus-facing, on-campus position requiring daily in-person presence to fulfill essential job functions, coordinate with stakeholders across the university, and maintain real-time collaboration with team members to respond effectively to dynamic operational needs.
Syracuse University is building something new. We’re launching SU Global to reimagine how we support and scale accessible online pathways for non-traditional learners, in a dynamic, innovative, and data-driven environment. That means rethinking how we work.
This role requires on-campus presence because the best ideas emerge from real-time collaboration, the mentorship that happens in hallways, and the spontaneous problem-solving that defines startup culture. You’ll work non-traditional hours when needed – evening and weekend coverage, whatever it takes to deliver the best-in-class experience.
We’re Looking For Team Members Who Thrive In
Education and Experience
Communications Project Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About The Syracuse Area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community
Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.
The Communications Manager serves as a strategic digital leader responsible for elevating SU Global’s brand, driving enrollment, and engaging audiences across Syracuse University’s online programs. This role requires programmatic marketing knowledge, exceptional writing versatility, project management experience, ability to translate complex academic offerings into accessible content, and comfort operating at startup velocity.
Reporting to the Executive Director of Operations, the Manager produces content across web, email, social media, recruitment materials, and thought leadership to reach prospective students, learners, alumni, faculty, and industry partners, working with external agencies to deliver quality digital presence. This position requires collaboration with enrollment teams, program directors, student success staff, central communications offices, and agencies to ensure messaging consistency, brand alignment, and visibility. The ideal candidate thrives in fast-paced environments, manages competing priorities with minimal supervision, delivers publication-ready content under tight deadlines, and brings entrepreneurial energy. This is a campus-facing, on-campus position requiring daily in-person presence to fulfill essential job functions, coordinate with stakeholders across the university, and maintain real-time collaboration with team members to respond effectively to dynamic operational needs.
Syracuse University is building something new. We’re launching SU Global to reimagine how we support and scale accessible online pathways for non-traditional learners, in a dynamic, innovative, and data-driven environment. That means rethinking how we work.
This role requires on-campus presence because the best ideas emerge from real-time collaboration, the mentorship that happens in hallways, and the spontaneous problem-solving that defines startup culture. You’ll work non-traditional hours when needed – evening and weekend coverage, whatever it takes to deliver the best-in-class experience.
We’re Looking For Team Members Who Thrive In
- High-energy, in-person environments where innovation happens face-to-face
- Flexible scheduling that follows student needs, not the clock
- Startup intensity within a world-class university structure
Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree required in communications, journalism, public relations, English, marketing, or related field.
- Master’s degree preferred.
- Minimum 5 years of professional experience in communications, digital ecosystems, content creation, or strategic storytelling, preferably in higher education, online education, enrollment marketing, or mission-driven organizations.
- Demonstrated success writing for diverse audiences and producing high-quality content across multiple platforms and formats.
- Experience managing multiple concurrent projects with competing deadlines in fast-paced environments.
- Understanding of digital marketing, brand management, and integrated communications strategies.
- Proficiency with content management systems, email marketing platforms, social media tools, SEO/GEO principles, web accessibility standards (WCAG), and analytics tools.
- Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Superior writing ability with command of grammar, style, and narrative structure.
- Ability to synthesize complex information into accessible prose.
- Portfolio demonstrating versatility across content types.
- Strong news judgment and storytelling ability.
- Experience developing content that drives enrollment and engagement outcomes.
- Strong interpersonal skills with ability to build relationships across organizational levels.
- Experience partnering with marketing, enrollment, and academic teams.
- Entrepreneurial mindset with comfort in ambiguity and tight deadlines.
- Self-directed with flexibility for non-traditional hours when needed.
- Thrives in collaborative, in-person environments.
- Understanding of higher education landscape and adult learner needs.
- Experience with enrollment marketing communications.
Communications Project Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Provide project management support for multi-stakeholder communications deliverables, coordinating timelines, approvals, production workflows, and delivery across internal and external teams.
- Serve as the communications liaison between SU Global & SU central offices including Communications, Marketing, Advancement and External Affairs, and college/school communications professionals.
- Manage communications aspects of media campaigns, virtual events, information sessions, and enrollment initiatives, ensuring messaging consistency and brand alignment.
- Ensure all content meets digital accessibility standards (WCAG).
- Understanding SEO, GEO principles & web content best practices.
- Manage website content strategies, redesigns, platform migrations, CRM implementations, and technology enhancements, ensuring user-focused information architecture and accessible content.
- Support adherence to brand guidelines, style standards, and messaging frameworks specific to SU Global within SU ecosystem.
- Track project status, flag conflicts or delays, and proactively problem-solve to meet deadlines.
- Partner with freelance and contract professionals for specialized content needs including photography, videography, graphic design, and writing projects.
- Manage development of enrollment-focused content that speaks to the needs, motivations, and challenges of non-traditional students working professionals, career changers, military-affiliated learners, and lifelong learners.
- Partner with academic program directors across 13 schools and colleges to understand program differentiators, learning outcomes, career pathways, and unique value propositions, translating technical content into engaging narratives.
- Coordinate with University Communications to amplify SU Global stories through flagship channels, securing coverage in Syracuse University News, the University homepage, and external media opportunities.
- Draft speeches, remarks, presentations, and thought leadership content for SU Global executive leadership for conferences, industry events, campus forums, and stakeholder meetings, coordinating review and approval with appropriate stakeholders.
- Support crisis communication response for enrollment-sensitive situations by drafting messaging and coordinating information flow, working under direction of executive leadership and in partnership with University Communications to ensure rapid response and stakeholder transparency.
- Recommend and manage content priorities aligned with enrollment cycles, marketing campaigns, and strategic goals, ensuring communications efforts drive measurable outcomes. This includes but is not limited to website content, social media channels, email drip campaigns, print collateral, etc.
- Maintain comprehensive editorial calendars coordinating content production across platforms, channels, and stakeholder groups, balancing proactive storytelling with responsive communication needs.
- Establish content performance metrics, monitor analytics channels, and provide regular reporting on content effectiveness.
- Use data insights to refine messaging strategies, optimize content performance, and inform enrollment marketing decisions.
- Research, write, edit, and secure approvals for multi-purpose content across SU Global digital and print channels.
- Maintain brand voice consistency across all communications while adapting tone and style for different audiences, platforms, and purposes.
- Support academic and administrative leaders with high-level communications needs, establishing regular communication cadences for program updates and engagement touchpoints.
- Collaborate with marketing, enrollment, student success, and advancement teams to ensure content supports integrated campaigns and reinforces key messages at critical decision points in the student journey and identifies opportunities for storytelling.
- Write and edit internal communications to faculty, staff, students, and partners, ensuring timely dissemination of critical updates, policy changes, celebration of milestones, and community-building messages.
- Support special projects, strategic initiatives, and emerging priorities as SU Global scales and evolves.
- Other duties as assigned.
Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.
The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About The Syracuse Area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community
Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.