Hybrid Senior Communications Officer at NSHE

Nevada State University appreciates your interest in employment. To ensure your application process runs smoothly, we ask that you keep in mind the following when completing your application:

• The required documents are listed below on the posting. Your application may not be considered if you do not attach the required documents.

• Draft applications are saved automatically and can be accessed through your candidate home account. Completed applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment. Once a recruitment has closed, applications will no longer be accepted.

• Please note, recruitment will close without notice when a hiring decision has been made.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact the Human Resources department at (702) 992-2320 or [email protected].

The Senior Communications Officer (SCO) plays 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 SCO frequently collaborates with executive and senior leaders, as well as marketing and events staff, to effectively communicate messages to students, staff, faculty, and the NSHE Board of Regents. The SCO serves as the 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.

The SCO is responsible for establishing and maintaining relationships with NSHE and local government communications staff and regional and national media. The SCO manages a public relations consultant to help promote positive coverage of events, trends, and activities. Additionally, the SCO provides communications and media counsel to the President and other Nevada State leadership as needed. The role identifies and develops opportunities for earned media to enhance Nevada State’s reputation, promote public education, and communicate the President’s agenda and direction. The SCO also coordinates speaking engagements, press conferences, and media appearances.

Reporting to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Public Affairs, the SCO will develop and implement both external and internal communications strategies for the Office of the President. This involves crafting remarks, talking points, emails, reports, PowerPoint presentations, op-eds, social media and web content, and collateral materials. As such, the SCO must be a very strong writer. The SCO will work closely with executive and senior staff and faculty to translate complex concepts into compelling language for diverse internal and external audiences. The SCO will exercise sound editorial judgment and maintain discretion.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement: 

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 under-served 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:  

• Draft speeches, talking points, video scripts, presentation slide decks, briefing papers, opinion editorials, letters, presidential emails, and press releases.
• Produce frequent communications for faculty, staff and students and external stakeholders.
• Manage the public relations aspects of the position to include developing story ideas to pitch and place, and respond to issues.
• Build and manage relationships with reporters and NSHE and local government communications staff.
• Develop and implement communication strategies which integrate print and digital mediums across multiple platforms for the Office of the President.
• Edit and proofread all assigned projects.
• Oversee and manage the Office of the President social media platforms and presence and website.

​ 

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in English, Journalism, Communications or related field.
• 5 years of 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. 

Preferred Qualifications:  

• Bilingual preferred.

Salary & Benefits 

Budgeted salary for this position is $93,573. 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 

Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. Lists of eligible candidates will be established and hiring may occur early in the recruiting process. Recruitment will close without notice when a hiring decision has been made.

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. 

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 [email protected]. 

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. 

Applicants should fully describe their qualifications and experience with specific reference to each of the minimum and preferred qualifications in their cover letter. The search committee will use this information during the initial review of application materials.

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

This position may require a criminal background check to be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

Nevada State University does not currently sponsor Visas, all applicants must be eligible to work in the United States without sponsorship.

Nevada State University