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How much do director of strategic communications jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for director of strategic communications in the United States is $100,376.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,000.00 and $121,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director of strategic communications do?

A Director of Strategic Communications leads the development and implementation of communication strategies that support an organization's goals and mission. This role involves overseeing internal and external messaging, managing media relations, and guiding crisis communication efforts. They collaborate with senior leadership to ensure consistent and effective communication across all channels. Additionally, they may supervise a communications team and analyze the impact of campaigns to optimize future strategies.

What does a director of strategic communications do?

As a director of strategic communications, you oversee all media related to a brand or company’s marketing and media relations. Your duties include business development, implementing media campaigns related to corporate strategies and initiatives, and hiring and training media relations experts in your department. You consult with management on long-term goals and issues to address in media releases. A career as a director of strategic communications requires you have extensive qualifications, including several years of experience working in media relations and a bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, or a related field. Employers expect all applicants to have excellent verbal and written communication skills, comprehensive media contacts, and strong market research capabilities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of strategic communications, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Strategic Communications, you need expertise in corporate communications, brand messaging, and media relations, usually backed by a degree in communications or a related field and significant leadership experience. Familiarity with content management systems, analytics tools, and public relations platforms is typically required, along with knowledge of crisis communication protocols. Outstanding interpersonal skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to lead and inspire teams set top performers apart. These competencies ensure effective messaging, brand consistency, and the ability to navigate complex reputational challenges for organizational success.

What are some common challenges faced by a director of strategic communications when aligning messaging across multiple departments?

Directors of Strategic Communications often encounter challenges in ensuring consistent messaging across various departments, each with its own priorities and communication styles. Balancing the needs of internal stakeholders while maintaining a unified brand voice requires strong collaboration and negotiation skills. Additionally, adapting strategies quickly in response to emerging issues or organizational changes is essential. Building cross-functional relationships and establishing clear communication guidelines can help overcome these challenges.

What is the difference between Director Of Strategic Communications vs Communications Manager?

AspectDirector Of Strategic CommunicationsCommunications Manager
ResponsibilitiesDevelops overall communication strategies, manages brand messaging, oversees large campaignsExecutes communication plans, manages daily media relations, supports strategic initiatives
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree; often master's; experience in strategic planning and leadershipBachelor's degree; experience in media and public relations
Work EnvironmentSenior leadership teams, corporate offices, strategic planning sessionsMarketing or communications departments, media outlets, corporate offices

The Director Of Strategic Communications focuses on high-level strategy and long-term brand positioning, while the Communications Manager handles the execution of communication plans and daily media relations. Both roles require strong communication skills, but the director typically has more strategic oversight and leadership responsibilities.

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Director Of Strategic Communications jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Of Strategic Communications job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $100,376 per year, or $48.3 per hour.

Director of Strategic Communications

The University Of Iowa

Iowa City, IA • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 19 days ago

University Of Iowa rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 85 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

459th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

University Human Resources helps create a workplace where the University of Iowa employees - 30,000 faculty and staff - feel welcomed, respected, and supported. By supporting employees throughout their careers, University Human Resources (UHR) directly contributes to the success of the university and its missions of education, research, and patient care.

The Director of Strategic Communications will work directly with UHR leadership to achieve these goals, using communication to highlight key programs and initiatives that contribute to the success of the university and its employees. The person in this role has oversight and management of key employee programs, including Discover Your University and Hawkeyes for Charity.

This position requires an innovative and creative internal communications leader, who conceptualizes, coordinates, and disseminates audience-focused content that builds trust with and assists UI employees. You will need to build and maintain relationships within UHR and across campus.

You must have the ability to translate and align complex operational and strategic initiatives in a clear and concise way for the faculty and staff audience. The director will report to the senior director of internal communication and public relations in the Office of Strategic Communication (OSC) with a secondary reporting line to the chief human resources officer in UHR, and will serve as a member of the UHR leadership team.

The ideal candidate will have a background in internal and/or employee communications, working across departments, and using communication to support strategic goals.

The position is primarily on-site during the training period, after which a hybrid arrangement may be arranged.

This position is eligible for hybrid work within Iowa and will require a work arrangement form to be completed upon the start of your employment. Per policy, work arrangements will be reviewed annually, and must comply with the remote work program and related policies and employee travel policy when working at a remote location. 

Key Areas of Responsibilities 

  • Develop and implement strategic communication plans for the faculty and staff audience.
  • Lead internal and external communication efforts that provide clear, accurate, and consistent communication of strategic themes, messages, strategic vision, goals, and priorities.
  • Develop and implement communication strategies, plans, and messaging frameworks around existing operations and new initiatives.

Public Relations

  • Work with the OSC media relations team to respond to media inquiries.
  • Build strong partnerships and relationships with key stakeholders to advance communication efforts across campus and UHR.

Information Management

  • Work with OSC colleagues to implement website strategy and oversight for UHR webpages, including technical and creative functions; monitoring metrics and quality to improve user experience and engagement.
  • Oversee strategic communication integration within enterprise HR systems, including the recruitment CRM, through a cross-unit content strategy.
  • Use data, metrics, and analytics to assess, forecast, evaluate, and refine communication strategies and initiatives.

Strategic Planning

  • Contribute to the development and implementation of the HR strategic plan and strategic initiatives, including multi-year strategic roadmaps. 
  • Create and maintain an annual communication plan for UHR that integrates communication strategies with UHR initiatives and university strategic plan priorities.
  • Regularly assess and report progress toward communication goals, adjusting strategies as needed.

Leadership/Supervision

  • Supervise other communications staff within OSC/UHR, ensuring high quality work and adherence to university policies.
  • Lead and mentor the communications team, fostering collaboration and accountability.
  • Serve on the UHR leadership team, representing OSC, UHR, and the CHRO on campus committees and initiatives.

To obtain the full job description including key areas of responsibility, technical competencies, and desirable qualifications, please contact Libby Kleppe at libby-kleppe@uiowa.edu.

Required Qualifications

  • Master's degree in strategic communication, public relations, higher education administration, journalism, or related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Minimum five years of progressively responsible experience in communications, public relations, or marketing, preferably in higher education.
  • Proven ability to develop an effective communication plan to achieve organizational goals.
  • Superb strategic planning, writing, editing, and communication skills.
  • Excellent organizational skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks while achieving a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
  • Knowledge of issues facing higher education, including relations with state and federal governments, and other important external and internal constituencies and audiences.
  • Demonstrated experience developing communication strategies using various channels to reach and engage key stakeholder audiences.
  • Demonstrated success in effectively managing people and teams.
  • Professional experience working effectively with individuals from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives.

Desirable Qualifications

  • Experience in crisis communication and crisis communication.
  • Knowledge of graduate education trends and challenges in higher education.
  • Experience with media relations, story pitching, and digital content strategy.
  • Familiarity with alumni engagement and donor communication strategies.
  • Experience supporting senior leaders as spokespeople, writing talking points, remarks, and providing media training.

Application and Position Details

  • In order to be considered for an interview, applicants must upload the following documents and mark them as a "Relevant File" to the submission:
    • Resume
    • Cover Letter
  • Job openings are posted for a minimum of 7 calendar days. This job may be removed from posting and filled any time after the minimum posting period has ended. Successful candidates will be required to self-disclose any conviction history and will be subject to a criminal background check and credential/education verification. 5 professional references will be requested at a later step in the recruitment process. For additional questions, please contact Libby Kleppe at libby-kleppe@uiowa.edu.

Benefits Highlights

  • Regular salaried position. Pay level 7A. Located in Iowa City, Iowa.
  • Fringe benefit package including paid vacation; sick leave; health, dental, life and disability insurance options; and generous employer contributions into retirement plans. 
  • For more information about Why Iowa? Click here.

Joining the University of Iowa means becoming a vital part of the Hawkeye community, where your work directly impacts education, research, and student success.

Enjoy exceptional health coverage, university-paid life insurance, robust retirement plans, and generous leave policies. Benefit from 24/7 support services, well-being resources, and access to UI Health Care specialists. Grow professionally with advanced training, leadership development, and tuition assistance.

Iowa City offers a great quality of life with world-class performances at Hancher Auditorium, Big Ten athletics, top-ranked public schools, and outdoor recreation.

Join us in making a difference at a leading Big Ten university and premier public research institution.

Additional Information
  • Classification Title: Comm/Const Relations Director
  • Appointment Type: Professional and Scientific
  • Schedule: Full-time
  • Work Modality Options: On Campus, Hybrid within Iowa
Compensation
  • Pay Level: 7A
Contact Information
  • Organization: External Relations
  • Contact Name: Libby Kleppe
  • Contact Email: libby-kleppe@uiowa.edu

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