Position Information
About Fordham
Founded in 1841, Fordham is the Jesuit University of New York, offering an exceptional education distinguished by the Jesuit tradition to more than 16,000 students in its nine colleges and schools. It has residential campuses in the Bronx and Manhattan, a campus in West Harrison, N.Y., the Louis Calder Center Biological Field Station in Armonk, N.Y., and the London Centre in the United Kingdom.
The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plans; life insurance; short and long-term disability; employee assistance program (EAP); tuition remission; and generous time off.
Successful candidates should have a knowledge of and commitment to the goals of Jesuit Education.
Title of Position Assistant Director, University Communications Position Number A03475 FLSA Exempt Scheduled Hours Per Week 35 Department Marketing and Communications Campus Lincoln Center Work Arrangement Hybrid Hybrid Policy: Please review the Hybrid Policy at www.fordham.edu/hybridpolicy. Position Summary
Reporting to the Associate Vice President of University Communications , Fordham's Assistant Director of University Communications supports the execution of a comprehensive reputation management strategy integrating communications, media/PR, thought leadership and issues management to shape and protect the University's reputation, and advance its mission and strategic priorities.
The position might require inter-campus travel and occasional after-hours and weekend work for University events and time-sensitive communication needs.
Essential Functions
Monitors public perception of the University and the higher education industry to identify potential reputational risks and opportunities; contribute to communications initiatives to address them.
Develops compelling messaging and storytelling to secure visibility for the University and its leadership; collaborate with social media and digital platform colleagues to amplify and media relations colleagues to secure favorable media coverage.
Identifies, secures and facilitates strategic thought leadership opportunities for members of the University leadership team, including speaking events, contributed articles and podcasts.
Helps shape and maintain the University's and its administrative leadership's online presence.
Writes communications materials including talking points, executive briefing documents, byline articles and op-eds, and University-wide messages.
Supports internal and external communications during crises, to ensure timely, accurate, and consistent messaging to all stakeholders.
Maintains the University's crisis communications and issues management plan, ensuring its readiness when needed.
Partners with broader University Marketing and Communications colleagues to develop and execute 360 communications programs.
Essential Functions Note This list is not intended to be an exhaustive list.
The University may assign additional related duties as necessary. Management Responsibilities Not responsible for supervision or oversight of others. Additional Functions
Works in conjunction with outside PR agency as needed
Required Qualifications: Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications or other related field.
Minimum of 3 years of communications experience, including executive communications and issues management.
Required Qualifications: Knowledge and Skills
Exceptional professional writing skills.
Strong knowledge of national and local issues affecting the higher education industry.
Basic knowledge of and commitment to the values underpinning Jesuit education.
Preferred Qualifications Minimum Starting Salary $85,000 Maximum Starting Salary $95,000 Note Salary is commensurate with qualifications, experience, and skills. Is this a Union position? No
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number A1089P Number of Vacancies 1 Start Date ASAP Posting Date 07/01/2026 Special Instructions EEO Statement
Fordham University is committed to excellence and welcomes candidates of all backgrounds.
Fordham University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
Physical Activity and Work Environment
Physical Activity
Sitting Nearly Continuously Repetitive Hand Motion (such as typing) Nearly Continuously Hearing, Listening, Talking Nearly Continuously Standing Often Walking Often Running Not Required Bending, Stooping, Kneeling, squatting, Crouching, Crawling Seldom Climbing stairs Not Required Climbing ladders Not Required Reaching overhead Seldom Pulling, pushing Not Required Shoveling Not Required Lifting - up to 20 pounds Not Required Lifting - up to 50 pounds Not Required Lifting - over 50 pounds Not Required
Work Environment
Work Environment Office Environment: Employees are protected from weather conditions or contaminants, but not necessarily occasional temperature changes.