Communications Manager

All Job Postings will close at 12:01a.m. CST (1:01a.m. EST) on the specified Closing Date (if designated).

If you close the browser or exit your application prior to submitting, the application progress will be saved as a draft. You will be able to access and complete the application through "My Draft Applications" located on your Candidate Home page.

Job Posting Title:

Communications Manager

Position Type:

Professional / Unclassified

Department:

LSUAM Science - Department of Communications (Stachia B. Marioneaux (00073660))

Work Location:

0392 Our Lady of the Lake Health Interdisciplinary Science Building

Pay Grade:

Professional

Job Description:

The Communications Manager advances the visibility and reputation of the LSU College of Science through strategic communications, storytelling, and high-quality content development. Reporting to the Assistant Dean of Communications, the Manager serves as part of the College's Shared Services Communications team (SciComm), supporting College and departmental priorities. The position combines hands-on writing, editing, and content production with content strategy, editorial oversight, digital communications, and project management. The Manager also supervises assigned staff and coordinates communications initiatives across SciComm to ensure accurate, timely, engaging, and consistent messaging aligned with College and University priorities.

Job Duties:

30% - Content Development & Storytelling

• Lead and actively contribute to the writing, editing, and production of high-quality content for College communications, including news articles, press releases, feature stories, institutional announcements, and newsletter content. Conduct interviews, gather information, and develop compelling narratives highlighting research discoveries, teaching excellence, student success, faculty achievements, and institutional priorities. Maintain a strong emphasis on clear, accurate, engaging, and audience-appropriate writing. Establish and manage a story pipeline and editorial workflow to ensure consistent, timely content delivery. Provide editorial review and quality control to maintain professional writing standards and consistency in College messaging.

25% Digital & Stakeholder Communications

• Lead, coordinate, and contribute to digital communications across College and departmental websites, newsletters, social media, and broadcast email platforms, balancing direct content development and publishing responsibilities with oversight of work assigned to other SciComm team members. Lead newsletter planning, production, and distribution for internal and external audiences. Coordinate digital publishing and dissemination of College news, institutional messaging, and stakeholder communications that inform and engage faculty, staff, students, alumni, and donors. Oversee website content development, updates, accuracy, accessibility, and consistency with University standards. Monitor website, email, and social media analytics to evaluate effectiveness and inform communications strategies.

15% Project & Campaign Management

• Plan and oversee communications projects, publications, and initiatives that support College priorities. Manage communications requests through established intake, project management, and approval processes. Track assignments, deliverables, timelines, and project status to support transparency, accountability, and timely completion of communications projects. Coordinate multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining consistency, accuracy, and quality of messaging. Collaborate with academic departments, College units, and SciComm colleagues to develop and execute communications deliverables. Manage budgets and expenses as needed to support project and communications goals.

15% Strategic Communications, Planning & Collaboration

• Collaborate with academic departments, College units, and leadership to identify communications needs, opportunities, and priorities. Serve as a strategic communications partner to assigned academic departments and College units within the SciComm shared services model. Works collaboratively with the LSU Office of Marketing & Communications as needed and adheres to the standards set therein. Collaborate with LSU central Marketing and Communications colleagues to expand the reach of College news, research, and achievements while ensuring compliance with University communications and brand standards. Assess communications requests, establish priorities, manage stakeholder expectations, and coordinate resources to ensure consistent, responsive, and equitable service across the College. Build productive relationships with faculty, staff, and College leadership to identify and elevate stories of institutional impact.

10% Leadership & Supervision

• Supervise a Communications Specialist, student workers, and/or interns. Establish clear performance expectations, monitor work quality and deadlines, provide timely feedback and coaching, and conduct performance evaluations in accordance with University policies. Address performance concerns appropriately and ensure staff accountability for assigned responsibilities. Monitor workloads and recommend or reassign duties as needed to balance responsibilities during periods of increased activity and overlapping deadlines. Approve leave and coordinate coverage during team member absences in accordance with University policies and delegated authority. Provide editorial guidance and quality control to ensure consistent writing, messaging, and communications standards. Represent SciComm in communications-related meetings and committees as determined by the Assistant Dean of Communications.

5% Other

• Perform other duties, special projects, and additional communications responsibilities to support College priorities and operational needs as directed by the Assistant Dean of Communications.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree
• 3 years of professional experience in communications
• Experience in professional writing, editing, and storytelling, including producing news articles, newsletters, press releases, and institutional communications for different audiences

LSU values skills, experience, and expertise. Candidates who have relevant experience in key job responsibilities are encouraged to apply--a degree is not required as long as the candidate meets the required years of experience specified in the job description.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in communications or a related field
• 5 years of professional experience in communications
• Experience in managing communications projects and 2 years of supervision
• Experience in higher education, research communications, or science communications

Additional Requirements:

Operation Essential Personnel - This position may be asked to work during an official closure, but who is otherwise not required to report to the physical campus during a closure and whose absence does not present a risk to the safety, resources, and well-being of the campus per FASOP HR-01.

Position may require occasional work outside of the normal workday, including some weekends and evenings related to seasonal activities and annual projects and/or deadlines.

Works collaboratively with the LSU Office of Marketing & Communications as needed and adheres to the standards set therein.

Job Competencies:

Proficiency in oral and written communication, delivering results, problem solving, time management, interpersonal skills, collaboration, service to customer and LSU, integrity, and as a self-starter with strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and the ability to manage multiple deadlines and collaborate effectively in a high-volume, team-oriented environment. Editorial judgment and the ability to translate complex academic or scientific information into clear, accessible, and compelling content are essential. Familiarity with photo/video editing, design tools, and analytics

Additional Job Description:

Special Instructions:

Applicants must submit a cover letter, resume, recent work samples, and contact information for three (3) professional references. Work samples should demonstrate strong writing, preferably including news articles, press releases, newsletters, or other institutional communications. Work samples may be uploaded as attachments in Workday or emailed to smarioneaux@lsu.edu.

Skills Needed:

Artistic Vision, Audience Engagement, Brand Stewardship, Collaboration, Communication, Content Development, Detail-Oriented, Project Management

Preferred Skills:

Posting Date:

November 5, 2026

Closing Date (Open Until Filled if No Date Specified):

November 11, 2026

Additional Position Information:

Background Check - An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits - LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University's partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

Essential Position (Y/N):

LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment. Changes in laws, regulations, or government policies may impact the university's ability to employ individuals in certain positions.

HCM Contact Information:

For questions or concerns related to updating your application with attachments (e.g., resumes, RS:17 documents), date of birth, or reactivating applications, please contact the LSU Human Resources Management Office at 225-578-8200 or email HR@lsu.edu. For questions or concerns regarding the status of your application or salary ranges, please contact the department using the information provided in the Special Instructions section of this job posting.