Senior Communications Officer

Job Description

Nevada State University invites applications for the position of Senior Communications Officer. The Senior Communications Officer will play a pivotal role in providing comprehensive communications support to the Office of the President and the institution. This includes executive, media, internal, and crisis communications. The position also supports public and government affairs activities, including projects and engagements at the local, state, and national levels. This position frequently collaborates with executive and senior leaders, as well as marketing and events and advancement staff, to effectively communicate messages to students, staff, faculty, and the NSHE Board of Regents. The Senior Communications Officer serves as an official spokesperson for the institution and the primary speechwriter for the President. This role requires close collaboration with the Office of the President and the Executive Team to ensure alignment with institutional messages, themes, and priorities.

About the institution:

Nevada State University, a four-year Minority Serving public institution with a statewide mission, is dedicated to excellence in teaching and learning and committed to the advancement of a diverse and largely underserved student population. Designated a Hispanic Serving (HSI) and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Institution (AANAPI), Nevada State is a university where teaching and student support are valued above all else.

Nevada State University continues to grow as an institution of higher education. In Fall 2024, the enrollment surpassed 7,500, with 7,464 undergraduate students and 85 graduate students. A majority of our students are first generation, racial/ethnic minorities, parents, and/or returning students, of which 41% are Hispanic, 13% are Asian/Pacific Islander, 9% are Black/African American, 22% are White, and 6% are multiracial.

We celebrate the storied backgrounds of our campus community. We operate with a shared commitment to represent and serve the diverse population of Nevada and to encourage the exchange of ideas that respects and honors the lived experiences of our students, staff, and faculty. We foster a culture of inclusive excellence so our members can live authentically, fully engage, and flourish. In order to strengthen the university and progress its mission, the university dedicates itself to intentional and ongoing reflection to meeting the evolving needs of Nevada State University, the surrounding communities, and the State of Nevada.

We seek applicants who are passionate about working with this promising student population and collaborating with faculty and staff across departments to make a lasting impact in developing our institution and our community. 

We encourage you to highlight your background in fostering an inclusive campus culture and supporting the success of students who are historically underrepresented in higher education.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Support the implementation of the university’s Integrated Communication Plan, ensuring messaging alignment and effective communication with a variety of internal and external audiences.
• Develop and implement communication strategies which integrate print and digital mediums across multiple platforms for the Office of the President.
• Draft speeches, talking points, video scripts, presentation slide decks, briefing papers, opinion editorials, letters, presidential emails, press releases and any other informational materials.
• Working in close collaboration with the Deputy Chief of Staff, provide representation and support at events, meetings, hearings, etc. Serve as a representative on-site during legislative sessions.
• Work with public relations consultants to manage the public relations aspects of the position to include developing story ideas, coordinating press conferences, media training, pitching and placing stories, and responding to issues.
• Oversee and manage the Office of the President social media platforms and presence and website.
• Liaise with key community partners.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism or Communications.
• Five (5) years of related professional experience.
• Eligibility to work in the United States without sponsorship (Nevada State does not sponsor employment-related visas).

Please note: Applicants must meet the posted minimum qualifications at the time of application in order to be considered for the position.

Salary & Benefits

Budgeted salary for this position is $86,445. Nevada State University offers excellent benefits, including 19.25% retirement match, 24 annual leave days, beginning balance of 30 sick leave days, 12 paid holidays, educational benefits, and three health insurance plans that can be supplemented with flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts.

This Posting is Open Until Filled

The posting will remain open until filled, with the first review of applications to begin on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply by April 21 for full consideration.

Special Instructions for Internal NSHE Applicants

Nevada State University employees or employees within the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE, UNLV, UNR, NSU, CSN, TMCC, WNC, GBC, or DRI) MUST use the “Browse Jobs” process within Workday to find and apply for jobs at Nevada State and other NSHE Institutions. Once you log into Workday, type "Browse Jobs" in the search box which will navigate to the internal job posting site.

If you complete an application outside of the internal application process, your application will be returned and you will have to reapply as an internal applicant which may delay your application.

Exempt 

Yes

Full-Time Equivalent

100.0%

Required Attachment(s)

Please note, once you submit your application the only attachment(s) viewable to you will be the attachment(s) to the resume/CV section of the application. Any additional required attachment(s) to the cover letter, references, additional documents sections of the application, will not be viewable to you after you submit your application. All uploaded attachment(s) will be on the application for the committee to review. To request updates to attachments, prior to the committee review of applications, please contact the candidate helpdesk at apply@nevadastate.edu.

Please upload the following documents:

• Detailed resume listing relevant qualifications and experience;
• Cover Letter indicating why you are a good fit for the position and Nevada State University;
• Names and contact information of three references (you will be notified before references are contacted).

Applications that do not include the required uploaded documents may not be considered.

Candidates are encouraged to visit the Career Services Center website Nevadastate.edu/career to receive assistance with their resume, cover letter, and/or interview skills.