Chief Communications Officer

Position Title:

Chief Communications Officer Department: 7010|Communications & Marketing

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette seeks a proactive, engaged, and market-oriented Chief Communications Officer (CCO) to serve as chief storyteller, public voice, and brand leader. Reporting directly to the Vice President for Strategic Impact and Economic Development, the CCO will serve on the President’s Cabinet. The CCO will lead the Communications & Marketing team in shaping how the University is seen, heard, and understood – on campus, across our state, nation, and beyond.
At a pivotal moment in UL Lafayette’s trajectory as a public R1 research university, the CCO will build a strategically aligned, integrated communications enterprise that elevates reputation, builds trust, drives visibility, supports enrollment, alumni engagement, and fundraising, and brings clarity and confidence on a daily basis. This role is ideal for a media-savvy leader with strong on-air presence, a track record of driving engagement, sharp editorial judgment, and the strategic instincts to shift a university from reactive communication to proactive, narrative-driven storytelling.

• Serve as the University’s chief storyteller and brand advocate, translating mission and strategy into compelling, audience-centered narratives.
• Act as a highly credible and trusted public spokesperson, particularly during high-visibility or fast-moving situations.
• Advise and prepare the President and senior leaders for media appearances, interviews, and public engagements.
• Serve as spokesperson, moderator and/or facilitator for University events, galas, campaigns, etc.
• Lead all institutional communications and marketing functions, including media relations, creative services, digital and social media, web strategy, internal communications, and crisis management.
• Drive proactive media strategy and national visibility by cultivating journalist relationships and positioning University leaders and faculty as go-to experts.
• Use modern media instincts to create high-impact video, digital, and social content that travels and resonates.
• Align communications with enrollment marketing, advancement initiatives, athletics, research, and community partnerships.
• Establish message discipline, brand standards, and communications governance across a decentralized campus.

• An executive who can organize the department’s workload, instill a service orientation within the team, and facilitate the success of stakeholders across campus.
• A leader who can elevate the institution’s voice and market position locally, nationally, and beyond.
• A natural, confident communicator with strong on-air or public-facing presence.
• A strategic storyteller who understands how to engage a multitude of audiences (students, staff, faculty, administration, alumni, partners, community stakeholders, etc.) through an integrated marketing communications strategy.
• A trusted advisor capable of bringing clarity and credibility during crises.
• A relationship-builder respected by journalists, community leaders, policymakers, donors, and campus stakeholders.

• Required Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, or a related field (master’s degree preferred).
• Minimum of 10 years of senior-level experience in media, journalism, communications, marketing, or public affairs.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a spokesperson or advising senior leaders in high-profile environments.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage complex communications operations, and deliver results under pressure.