Director Of Communications

Special Instructions to Applicants : All interested applicants should attach a resume listing at least three professional references and a letter of interest in the Supporting Documents section of the application. Please also include at least two (2) writing samples (required) and a portfolio of design projects or creative content (if applicable) . We suggest the documents be in a PDF format to avoid formatting issues. I ncomplete applications will not be considered.

Position Summary

The Rice University School of Architecture invites applications for Director of Communications. Under the direction of the dean and in collaboration with the faculty, the Director of Communications leads the planning, development, and execution of the school’s communication strategies and events, including its distinct visual identity.

The Director of Communications is a forward-thinking, highly innovative partner with a comprehensive understanding of the international landscape of architecture schools and other cultural and professional organizations. They oversee sophisticated content production across diverse media assets and platforms, including the World Wide Web, social media, and other digital and print assets; ensure the proper archiving of the school’s communications; cultivate university-wide, national, and international audiences; and continually evaluate the effectiveness of communication strategies through analytics and market research. They coordinate the production of publicity and marketing materials—including special projects—ensuring quality, clarity, impact, and consistency with the school’s visual identity and branding. They also support the dean in planning, generating, editing, and refining guidelines, themes, and content, including strategic and executive-level messaging, for various communication channels. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders, they oversee the planning and execution of public programs, such as lectures, exhibitions, symposia, and civic forums.

The ideal candidate will possess excellent communication, organizational, and relationship skills, have a background in architecture, art, or a related field; and have the requisite skills to inspire and collaborate with Rice Architecture faculty, staff, students, and alumni. As the school’s primary public relations and media liaison, they will amplify scholarly and pedagogical impact within the school and across the university, in the Houston community, and throughout the world. They will have the stature, knowledge, and keen attention to detail and process necessary to serve as an inspiring, energetic, and effective leader of the school’s Communication Unit and its diverse team of internal and external graphic design, photography, video, writing, and editing professionals. A tactful, effective communicator should be capable of contributing meaningfully to the school’s excellence and distinction, including by potentially offering courses and/or workshops on communication and representation.

Rice Architecture is a uniquely sized and highly selective program focused on design. We are known for our exceptional student work, world-class faculty research, and meaningful community engagement. We are particularly interested in candidates whose culture and lived experiences will expand the school community’s perspectives and understanding of the world. Rice Architecture draws upon Houston’s offerings in the arts and industry, as well as its diverse communities and cultures, to educate architects for a dynamic, multicultural world, and we approach hiring with the same ambition.

This full-time position is on-site, exempt, and benefits-eligible.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in architecture, art, design, art history, communications, journalism, or a related field
• 4+ (four) years of professional experience in architecture, education, communications, programming, publishing, editing, public relations or related field
• Skills required
  • Excellent management skills and ability to manage multiple projects.
  • Ability to craft inspiring messages for various platforms and audiences: academic and public; internal and external; alumni and friends, etc.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including editorial and writing skills that have the clarity, quality, and exactitude of expression.
  • Understanding of narrative and visual modes of communication specific to architectural culture, including schools, firms, and other organizations.
  • Attention to craft and detail.
  • Experience with social media accounts and digital communication channels.
  • Knowledge of architecture, art, design, and other related fields, including their leading institutions (schools, museums, publishers, foundations, firms, etc.).
  • Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple deadlines and production schedules.
  • Ability to manage multiple programs and projects, ensuring consistency and accuracy of the various communication channels and events.
  • Editorial, curatorial, and/or teaching experience is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree with a demonstrated track record of success in multiple institutional settings
• Experience in architectural, professional, and/or cultural organizations, including academic and nonprofit settings

Essential Functions

• Develops and executes marketing strategies and marketing plans/programs to meet departmental and/or organizational objectives
• Leads the execution of communication and brand strategy for multiple programs incorporating appropriate channel
• Responsible for staff, including the recruitment, management, development, and retention of staff
• Sets budget, goals, and objectives in alignment with organizational goals
• Oversees event management as needed to support marketing objectives
• Manages vendor relationships
• Oversees market research and analysis
• Uses the results to inform decisions regarding strategic marketing direction, product segmentation, and customer targeting
• Assesses market opportunities and tracks market trends. Implement marketing improvements based on findings
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Responsibilities

• Crafts messaging about the school and its communications programs for various platforms and audiences: disciplinary and academic, general public; internal and external; supporters and alumni
• Develops, implements, and manages annual and long-term communication plans
• Manages the communications budget
• Supports the dean by proposing, editing, and refining guidelines and themes for the curation of Communications
• Manages the communications team: web and social media, creative content production (printed and digital), exhibitions, public programs, etc.
• Coordinates production of materials related to specific projects across these platforms, ensuring quality, clarity, and impact in the field.
• Ensures consistency and accuracy of the various communication channels (i.e., lectures, emails, media posts at intentional intervals)
• Develops a network of contacts and partners to promote messaging and programs and build audiences, including local and national organizations, publishers, nonprofit institutions, etc.
• Develops a framework for programming in which various events are differentiated and distinct and develops messaging specific to diverse programs (lecture series, symposia, forums, development)

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a commitment to diversity at all levels and considers for employment qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

Faculty and staff are expected (but not required) to have completed a full vaccination series for COVID-19 (currently defined as a full course COVID-19 Vaccine (typically two shots of a WHO-approved COVID-19 Vaccine or one J&J) and a COVID-19 booster. Rice does not require documentation for COVID-19 vaccination at this time for faculty and staff. More information can be found here: https://coronavirus.rice.edu/policies .