Director of Strategic Communications & Events - Libraries

Libraries at West Virginia University is currently accepting applications for a Director of Strategic Communications & Events.

About the Opportunity

The Director of Strategic Communications & Events is responsible for shaping, leading, and executing the communications and events strategy for WVU Libraries and Press in alignment with institutional priorities. This role ensures that the Libraries' impact, expertise, services, collections, and initiatives are clearly communicated to internal and external stakeholders.

Working in close consultation with the Dean of Libraries and Press, the Libraries Enterprise Team, and unit leaders, the Director provides strategic leadership for institutional messaging, reputation, and stakeholder engagement while also directing the day-to-day development, production, dissemination, and assessment of communications across platforms. The Director collaborates across library departments and university partners to create compelling, audience-centered content that strengthens awareness of and engagement with the Libraries' services, collections, programs, and strategic value.

Bridging long-range strategy and hands-on execution, the Director leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of comprehensive communications plans; manages media relations and public-facing messaging; oversees and coordinates signature events; and ensures consistent, effective promotion of WVU Libraries and its major entities, including the Press, the West Virginia & Regional History Center, the William A. Neal Museum of the Health Sciences, and the WVU Humanities Center. In doing so, the Director advances enterprise messaging that reinforces institutional relevance, strengthens stakeholder relationships, and elevates the reputation of WVU Libraries and Press.

We strongly believe in work-life balance and keeping time for things we love outside our work. WVU offers generous benefits, including:

• 37.5-hour work week
• 13 paid holidays (staff holiday calendar)
• 24 annual leave (vacation) days per year or more based on years of service (employee leave)
• 18 sick days per year (for when you're ill, for when you need time to care for sick family, for your own, or your family's, regularly scheduled medical appointments. Who is family for the purpose of this leave? A lot of people in your life including immediate relatives and in-laws as well as others considered to be members of your household living under the same roof)
• WVU offers a range of health insurance and other benefits
• 401(a) retirement savings with 6% employee contribution match, eligibility to continue health insurance, and other retiree perks. Looking for more retirement benefits information? Check out retirement health insurance benefits, retirement income, and FAQ's.
• Wellness programs

What You'll Do

Communications & Positioning

• Direct the Libraries' institutional narrative across digital, print, and executive communications.
• Develop, implement, and assess a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with the University's and Libraries' multi-year strategic framework and fundraising priorities.
• Translate the Libraries' expertise, services, and strategic priorities into audience-centered communications that position the Libraries as essential to student success, research impact, and the University's land-grant mission.
• Oversee the creation, production, and dissemination of content across platforms, including Ex Libris (WVUL magazine), press releases, newsletters, social media, and promotional materials.
• Promote the Libraries' services, collections, programs, and signature events through coordinated, strategic messaging.
• Oversee communications workflows, editorial standards, voice guidelines, content governance, and communications calendars to ensure quality, consistency, and alignment with academic and development planning cycles.
• Develop and implement procedures that streamline communications and events processes across Library units, improving coordination, efficiency, and consistency.
• Collaborate closely with WVU Strategic Communications and Marketing, the WVU Foundation, the Director of Development, and the Systems
• Department to align messaging, branding, and digital presence with institutional and fundraising priorities.
• Ensure accessible and inclusive communication design across all channels in collaboration with the Libraries' Systems UX team.
• Supervise communications and events staff (1 FTE), providing operational direction, mentorship, and performance oversight to support high-quality, mission-aligned communications and events.

Events & Programming Strategy

• Develop and lead a comprehensive events strategy aligned with WVU Libraries' mission and strategic priorities, collaborating with Library leadership, faculty, students, and external partners to identify high-impact programming opportunities and ensure coordinated planning across units and centers.
• Oversee the strategic promotion and communication of Library events and programming, directing unified calendar management and multi channel marketing efforts-including digital, social media, newsletters, email, and print-to drive engagement, strengthen visibility, and advance institutional goals.

Internal Communications

• Develop and lead internal and employee communications strategies that strengthen organizational culture, promote transparency, and improve information sharing across WVU Libraries and Press.
• Manage the employee newsletter, including editorial planning, content development, production, distribution, and ongoing assessment of effectiveness.
• Oversee the Libraries' intranet, ensuring content is current, well organized, accessible, and aligned with employee communication needs.

• Bachelor's degree in communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or a related field. Graduate degree is preferred.
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience in communications, marketing, or public relations with a preference for candidates who have worked within libraries, higher education, and/ or non-profits.
• Any equivalent combination of related education and/or experience will be considered.
• All qualifications must be met by the time of employment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated leadership and managerial abilities, including the supervision of professional staff.
• Demonstrated capacity for developing creative and entrepreneurial approaches to communications aimed at both existing and prospective library audiences, including students, faculty, and donors.
• Proficiency in a range of digital skills and marketing tools and platforms, including creating and managing engaging content in a multi-platform environment, social media management, website content management systems, accessibility, and analyzing data and metrics related to communication efforts.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously with limited supervision.

• Resume
• Cover Letter

West Virginia University is a place of purpose and community. We take pride in our profound impact on the state of West Virginia and are committed to the personal and professional growth of our employees.

From the groundbreaking R1 research at our flagship campus in Morgantown to the career-oriented programs at WVU Potomac State in Keyser, and the technology-intensive programs at WVU Tech in Beckley, the contributions of WVU employees resonate across the state, touching lives and shaping futures.

At WVU, you will discover a supportive community that champions work-life balance and fosters a collaborative atmosphere. Our core values - service, curiosity, respect, accountability and appreciation - unite us as Mountaineers.

Join us at West Virginia University, where your work will make a lasting impact. To learn more about WVU, visit wvu.edu.

West Virginia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We invite all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or Veteran status.