Assistant Director of Strategic Communications

Join the University of Missouri - Kansas City in Kansas City, MO, as Assistant Director of Strategic Communications. This onsite, full-time role offers a salary range of $60,944 to $76,000 per year and a comprehensive benefits package. You will lead UMKC's strategic communications, supervise writers, manage issues and crisis response, and direct content strategy across earned and owned media and digital channels.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision plans
• Retirement contributions
• Paid time off
• Short- and long-term disability
• Paid parental leave
• Paid caregiver leave
• Educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses

Responsibilities

• Supervise several front-line strategic communications writers.
• Oversee issues management strategy and execution.
• Lead the strategic communications team when the director is not available.
• Provide executive writing for campus leadership.
• Serve as primary editor of social media copy.
• Edit and write content to tell UMKC’s story through a variety of earned and owned media for internal and external audiences.
• Plan and create content for the university’s website, digital newsletters and social media channels.
• Play an important role in issues management/crisis response situations at a 24/7/365 campus.
• Demonstrate strong news judgment and organizational skills; meet deadlines and manage personnel.
• Develop content ideas in multiple formats and quickly execute high-quality content.
• Juggle a variety of projects, moving quickly on short-term needs while making progress on longer-term goals.
• Increase public visibility by developing and facilitating relationships with key campus and public constituents, including but not limited to academic units, campus leadership and local, regional, state and national media.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• At least 4 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired.

Technologies

• Emma
• Anthology (formerly iModules)
• MailChimp
• Constant Contact
• Facebook
• Twitter
• YouTube
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

Shift and scheduling

This is a full-time, benefit eligible staff position. The assistant director will need to be available some nights and weekends when special circumstances require it, as this position plays an important role in issues management and crisis response on a 24/7/365 campus.

Compensation and title

• Annual salary range: $60,944 to $76,000
• Grade: 11
• University Title: AST DIR STRAT COMMUNICATIONS

Application details

Job posting will remain open until filled. For best consideration apply by June 28, 2026.

Equity and accommodations

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer. This position qualifies for University benefits, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts across all four UM System campuses. ADA accommodations are available upon request by calling the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.