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Senior Communications Strategist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ACLU of Utah

Communications Director

Salt Lake City, UT · On-site

$90K - $105K/yr

Under the direction and supervision of the Executive Director, the Communications Director supervises the Senior Communications Strategist and, at times, may manage interns, consultants, and ...

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Senior Communications Strategist information

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$44K

$80.1K

$133K

How much do senior communications strategist jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior communications strategist in the United States is $80,133.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $61,500.00 and $86,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Senior Communications Strategist vs Communications Manager?

AspectSenior Communications StrategistCommunications Manager
CredentialsBachelor's degree in Communications, Marketing, or related field; experience in strategic planningBachelor's degree; experience in managing communication teams and campaigns
Work EnvironmentDevelops strategies, conducts research, and advises leadershipOversees communication teams, manages campaigns, and handles media relations
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors for strategic planningCommonly found in corporate and organizational settings managing daily communications
Search & Comparison IntentPeople compare strategic roles focusing on planning and high-level adviceIndividuals look for managerial roles overseeing communication operations

The main difference is that a Senior Communications Strategist focuses on developing and advising on communication strategies, while a Communications Manager handles the execution and management of communication campaigns and teams. Both roles require similar credentials but differ in scope and responsibilities.

How does a Senior Communications Strategist typically collaborate with cross-functional teams within an organization?

A Senior Communications Strategist often works closely with various departments such as marketing, public relations, executive leadership, and product teams to ensure messaging is consistent and aligned with organizational goals. They facilitate strategy sessions, gather input from stakeholders, and tailor communications plans to support different business initiatives. Effective collaboration involves regular meetings, feedback loops, and adapting strategies based on cross-functional insights, making strong interpersonal and project management skills essential for success in this role.

What does a Senior Communications Strategist do?

A Senior Communications Strategist is responsible for developing and executing comprehensive communication plans that align with an organization's goals. They oversee messaging across multiple channels, manage public relations initiatives, and provide guidance on internal and external communications. The role often involves collaborating with leadership, marketing, and PR teams to ensure consistency and effectiveness in messaging. Senior Communications Strategists also analyze communication outcomes to refine strategies and maximize impact.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Senior Communications Strategist, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Communications Strategist, you need expertise in strategic messaging, media relations, and content development, usually backed by a degree in communications, public relations, or a related field. Familiarity with digital analytics tools, content management systems, and media monitoring platforms is typically required. Excellent leadership, adaptability, and persuasive communication skills help set top performers apart in this role. These skills are crucial for developing impactful communication strategies that align with organizational goals and effectively engage target audiences.
More about Senior Communications Strategist jobs
What cities are hiring for Senior Communications Strategist jobs? Cities with the most Senior Communications Strategist job openings:
What states have the most Senior Communications Strategist jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Communications Strategist jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Senior Communications Strategist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Communications Strategist jobs are:
Senior Communications Strategist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Communications Strategist job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,133 per year, or $38.5 per hour.

Senior Communications Strategist

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 28 days ago

University Of Arizona rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 67 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

384th of 612 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Senior Communications Strategist
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. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.
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 Lisa33@arizona.edu
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.Thesereports 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 cleryact@arizona.edu.

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