Director of Communications & Marketing at San Francisco Bay University Fremont, CA

Category: Staff

Type: Full Time Min. Experience: Director

Salary: $130,000 - $180,000 About San Francisco Bay UniversitySan Francisco Bay University (SFBU) is a nonprofit, WASC-accredited university located in the heart of Silicon Valley. SFBU's mission is to offer inclusive, innovative, and inspirational education for lifelong careers, preparing graduates to lead and serve in a global, technology driven society. Guided by our Strategic Plan, SFBU is reimagining higher education through: Academic Innovation - integrating applied learning, entrepreneurship, and technology. Community Impact - cultivating partnerships that strengthen our regional and global ecosystem. Student Success - fostering personalized engagement and career readiness. Institutional Excellence - promoting transparency, effectiveness, and continuous improvement.

Position Summary: The Director of Communications & Marketing serves as the strategic architect of SFBU's institutional communications, brand strategy, and marketing initiatives within a hybrid in-house and agency model. Reporting to the Chief of Staff & Vice President for Presidential Initiatives and Community Impact, the Director leads an integrated communications ecosystem that advances SFBU's visibility, strengthens its internal culture, and amplifies its impact regionally and nationally. This role is both strategic and operational, responsible for developing a unified communications framework that aligns messaging, enhances stakeholder engagement, and measures impact through data-driven insights.

Key Responsibilities: Strategic Leadership & Brand ManagementDevelop and execute an integrated communications and marketing strategy aligned with SFBU's mission and Strategic Plan. Serve as the chief brand steward, defining the institutional voice and ensuring consistency across all touchpoints. Provide strategic counsel to university leadership on communications, positioning, and stakeholder engagement. Lead crisis communications readiness, rapid response, and issue management protocols. Champion innovation in storytelling and digital engagement to raise SFBU's profile. Communications & Media RelationsLead the creation of cohesive messaging for media, internal communications, and external relations. Cultivate relationships with journalists, thought leaders, and community partners to secure positive visibility for SFBU. Oversee press releases, media kits, and editorial strategy to highlight institutional milestones, research, and leadership. Manage internal channels such as the Bayhawk Bulletin, intranet, and leadership communications to promote transparency and engagement. Marketing, Creative, & Digital StrategyOversee all institutional marketing (excluding recruitment marketing) - including content, creative direction, and campaigns. Ensure brand standards and identity guidelines are upheld across all internal and external communications. Manage the university website, digital storytelling, and social media ecosystem, optimizing for reach, relevance, and user experience. Coordinate with Enrollment Management to align brand and messaging with student recruitment and retention efforts. Hybrid Model OversightDirect the in-house communications core (internal comms, brand governance, editorial, and analytics). Manage external agencies and creative partners for design, digital, media, and production. Establish and track KPIs and performance dashboards for visibility, engagement, and ROI. Ensure cross-functional collaboration across Advancement, Enrollment, Academics, and Student Affairs. Research, Analytics & Continuous ImprovementImplement systems for measuring communications performance and audience sentiment. Integrate data into decision-making for marketing investments and campaign optimization. Conduct periodic communications audits to assess effectiveness and identify improvement opportunities. Leadership, Team Development & Resource ManagementBuild and mentor a high-performing communications team committed to creativity, agility, and accountability. Manage budget, vendor relationships, and contracts with transparency and fiscal discipline. Foster an inclusive and collaborative culture where innovation and equity drive outcomes.

Core Competencies: Strategic Thinking-Translates institutional goals into actionable communications and marketing strategies; anticipates trends and opportunities. Leadership & Influence-Inspires collaboration, builds trust, and aligns diverse teams and partners toward a common vision. Communications Mastery-Exceptional written, verbal, and visual storytelling skills across traditional, digital, and executive platforms. Brand Stewardship-Protects and enhances SFBU's identity through clarity, consistency, and design excellence. Data & Analytics-Uses insights, metrics, and market research to drive decisions and measure impact. Crisis & Reputation Management-Demonstrates judgment, composure, and strategic clarity under pressure. Equity & Inclusion-Ensures that all communications reflect and advance SFBU's commitment to diversity, belonging, and inclusive excellence. Execution & Project Management- Balances strategic vision with disciplined delivery; manages complex workflows and multiple priorities effectively. Qualifications & ExperienceRequired: Bachelor's degree in communications, marketing, public relations, or a related field (Master's preferred). Minimum 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in communications or marketing, including 3+ years in a leadership role. Proven success managing a hybrid in-house and agency model with accountability for outcomes. Strong track record in strategic communications, media relations, internal communications, and brand governance. Advanced writing, editing, and presentation skills. Demonstrated experience managing crisis or executive communications. Data fluency - experience using analytics and dashboards to inform strategy and measure results. Deep commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice in communications practice.

Preferred: Experience in higher education, public sector, or mission-driven organizations. Proficiency with marketing technology platforms (CRM, analytics, SEO, automation). Experience managing multimillion-dollar communications portfolios and contracts. Familiarity with Silicon Valley's business, innovation, and social impact landscape. Work Environment & Physical DemandsPrimarily office-based with hybrid flexibility. Some evening and weekend work for events or emergency response. Physical requirements include lifting up to 20 lbs and extended periods of sitting or computer use. SFBU is an Equal Opportunity / ... In accordance with federal and state disability laws, San Francisco Bay University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you require assistance during the application or interview process, please contact SFBU Human Resources at hrmgr@sfbu.edu.

Anticipated Start Date: November 20, 2025 This position description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time, with or without notice.