The Division of University Relations (UR) builds public awareness, understanding and support for the university's mission and goals. The division includes the marketing, communications, and public affairs units and embraces an integrated approach to executing best-in-class work that achieves strategic outcomes. Among other responsibilities, University Relations:

• Elevates awareness and support of DU’s brand and reputation and advances a sense of pride in the DU experience.
• Establishes and strengthens relationships with key constituencies, inside and outside the university, facilitating their support for DU.
• Advances the strategic interests of the university by promoting its ideas, people, unique strengths and tremendous impact.
• Inspires belief in the power of the DU experience through integrated delivery of brand, communications, marketing, community engagement and government relations strategies that bring our university’s mission and vision to life.

Through our “Lead and Empower” focus, University Relations provides the campus community with expert leadership, partnership, strategy, tools and support to advance successful, on-brand, collaborative marketing communications and public affairs strategies that help achieve the strategic goals of the University, its colleges and units.

University Relations strengthens DU’s strategic position locally, regionally, nationally and internationally through data-driven and authentic marketing, communications and public affairs strategies across multiple channels with focused support for priority areas including academics and research, enrollment and admissions, athletics and advancement. Whether through marketing, web and digital strategies, social media, public relations, print, podcast, issues or crisis management, legislative affairs, community relations or thought leadership and training, UR drives results that empower DU to excel.

University Relations highly values and strives to advance an inclusive and supportive team where all members are valued and their input is appreciated. UR’s collective achievements are enhanced by its team members perspectives and experiences, and the open exchange of ideas. The division continually assesses and works to improve organizational excellence to support a positive, creative and highly successful work environment.

Position Summary

The External and Executive Communications Coordinator will provide tactical support for the university’s external and executive communications efforts. This role will dedicate approximately 50% of its time to supporting executive communications, 30% to external communications, and 20% to experience management (XM) insights. The ideal candidate is a detail-oriented communicator who thrives in a collaborative environment and is eager to contribute to high-impact storytelling and strategic messaging.

This position is eligible to be considered for partial remote work. Schedule flexibility allowed for those using the tuition waiver. 

Essential Functions

Executive Communications Support 

• Assist in drafting and editing remarks, talking points, and written materials for university leadership.
• Help prepare briefing materials and background research for leadership engagements.
• Coordinate timelines, approvals, and logistics for executive communications projects.
• Maintain organized archives of leadership communications and related assets.
• Monitor best practices for potential implementation.

External Messaging & Media Coordination 

• Support the development of public-facing content such as statements and announcements.
• Collaborate with media and editorial teams to identify stories that align with leadership messaging and thought leadership goals.
• Monitor public sentiment to inform messaging strategies.
• Help ensure consistency and alignment of messaging across platforms and university leaders.

Experience Management (XM) Integration 

• Assist in interpreting XM data and feedback to inform leadership messaging and public communications.
• Collaborate with colleagues across University Relations to ensure audience insights are reflected in executive and external content.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong writing, editing, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to synthesize complex topics into clear, compelling messages.
• Familiarity with executive communications and public messaging best practices.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, or a related field.
• 1 year of related experience (internship experience welcome)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a beat structure.
• Experience working in a higher education field.
• Research writing.

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. This position is eligible to be considered for partial remote work. Schedule flexibility allowed for those using the tuition waiver. 

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) September 10, 2025.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is 7.

Hourly Range:
The hourly range for the position is $25.54 - $28.09

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.