Communications Coordinator

Description & Details: The Communication Coordinator supports North Dakota State University’s communication priorities by leading internal communication efforts and contributing to institutional storytelling. This role ensures faculty, staff and students are informed, engaged and connected to the university’s work, while also identifying and producing compelling stories that advance institutional messages across platforms.

Key responsibilities include:

• Plan, produce, and manage university-level internal communications, including departmental and executive newsletters.

• Coordinate messaging for major institutional moments, traditions, initiatives, and periods of organizational change.

• Collaborate with campus partners to gather, edit, and prioritize content to ensure clarity, consistency, and alignment with institutional priorities.

• Establish and maintain internal communication calendars, workflows, and channels to strengthen information sharing across the university.

• Advise colleges, departments, and units on communication strategies, message framing, and effective internal communication practices.

• Identify, research, and develop stories that highlight the people, programs, and impact of NDSU, contributing written and edited content to university communication channels.

• Collaborate with the Marketing and Communications team to align storytelling and execute communication strategies that advance institutional messages.

• Partner with the Director of Communication and Media Relations and university leadership to support executive and legislative communications and strategic initiatives.

Work Schedule:
Monday thru Friday 8:00am-5:00pm; Holidays and breaks 7:30am-4:00pm

Hiring Range:
$49,500-$60,000+ Commensurate with experience
Pay is based on several factors, including budget, labor market, prior experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and/or certification and other business considerations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• BS or BA in journalism, communication, English, marketing, public relations or related field.
• Minimum of 2 years recent, relevant professional experience in writing, communication or related roles.
• Demonstrated ability to research and write using AP style

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working in higher education, government, or another complex, decentralized organization
• Experience developing or managing an organizational internal communication strategy or channel
• Experience identifying story opportunities and interviewing faculty, staff or students
• Experience advising clients or partners on communication strategy or message framing

Core Competencies:

• Experience producing written content for newsletters, websites, email, or other organizational communication channels

• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy with experience in AP style

• Strong editorial judgment, including ability to refine messages for clarity, tone, and alignment

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate messaging for major initiatives or institutional moments

• Skills in prioritizing content across multiple units or stakeholders

• Experience supporting executive-level communication efforts

• Ability to build collaborative relationships across units and committees

Applicant Materials Required:

Resume
Cover letter
Sample of writing

Our commitment to caring for our employees isn’t just words—it’s proven. In NDSU’s most recent Gallup Engagement Survey, our strengths centered on care and development. “My supervisor, or someone at work, cares about me as a person” and “I have the opportunities to learn and grow”, were noted as top drivers. This reflects the culture you’ll experience here.

NDSU OFFERS OUTSTANDING BENEFITS!

Join a workplace that invests in your well-being, your future, and your success.

Full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:

Health & Wellness

• 100% employer-paid health insurance premiums for single and family coverage
• Choice of PPO/Basic or High-Deductible Health Plan with HSA
• Coverage begins the first of the month after your hire date
• Wellness incentives for healthy lifestyle participation

Exceptional Retirement Plan

• Employer retirement contributions ranging from 7.5% up to an impressive 12.26%, depending on position
  (One of the strongest retirement packages in the region!) - Your future is a priority, and it shows.

Time Away & Support

• Generous annual leave, sick leave, and 10 paid holidays
• Employee Assistance Program for confidential support
• Supportive work-life balance

Education Benefits That Grow with You

• Tuition waivers for employees (up to three classes per calendar year)
• 50% tuition waiver for spouse/partner and dependents

Additional Optional Benefits

• Supplemental Life, Dental, Vision, Long-Term Care
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Health & Dependent Care)
• Supplemental Retirement Plans

Explore Full Benefit Details:

Benefits | Human Resources | NDSU

About Us:

North Dakota State University is distinctive as a student focused, land-grant, research university. We educate leaders who solve national and global challenges by providing affordable access to an excellent education that combines teaching and research in a rich learning environment.

NDSU is in the highest Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, R1, granted to the top research institutions in the country.

NDSU has offices across the state of North Dakota, and the main campus is in Fargo, on the Minnesota border. Along with Moorhead, Minnesota, Fargo forms one of the largest metropolitan centers between Minneapolis and Seattle. The community is consistently ranked as one of the best places to live.

NDSU is committed to fostering a community where differences are recognized as strengths. Rooted in our land-grant mission, we work together to meet the needs of North Dakota and its communities through education, research and outreach.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

NDSU does not discriminate in its programs and activities on the basis of age, color, gender expression/identity, genetic information, marital status, national origin, participation in lawful off-campus activity, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, public assistance status, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, spousal relationship to current employee, or veteran status, as applicable. Direct inquiries to: Vice Provost, Title IX/ADA Coordinator, Old Main 201, NDSU Main Campus, Fargo, ND, 58108, 701-231-7708, ndsu.eoaa@ndsu.edu.

No Smoking Notice:

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. § 23-12-10.

Veteran’s Preference Notice:

This position is subject to North Dakota Veteran’s Preference requirements.

Reasonable Accommodation Information:

North Dakota State University is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, please contact Human Resources at 701-231-8961 or ndsu.hr@ndsu.edu.