Strategic Communications Manager

Strategic Communications Manager

Location

St. Davids

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

1152

Department

Marketing & Communication

Opening Date

07/28/2026

• Description
• Benefits

Join our vibrant community of dedicated faculty and staff who work to create a transformative educational experience rooted in faith, reason, and justice.

Eastern University is a nationally-recognized Christian university enrolling approximately 9,000 students in a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, professional, and seminary programs. The university's main campus is located in St. Davids, PA, with many programs also offered online. Eastern's core values of Faith, Reason, and Justice are woven into all of its educational offerings. Through dynamic programs, a vibrant campus community, and meaningful service learning opportunities, Eastern University is committed to providing students with transformative, accessible, and affordable education.

Position Description

The Strategic Communications Manager is responsible for overseeing key aspects of Eastern University's internal and external communication activities and strategies. This passionate and thoughtful individual should be a talented writer and editor who can beautifully communicate the mission and stories of Eastern University through a variety of channels, including overseeing media relations.

The Manager is a member of the Marketing & Communications Office, but is dedicated to supporting the Office of the President and Office of Advancement, while also overseeing key strategic communications activities. The main goal of this role is to articulate and promote the vision, mission, and values of Eastern University.

Position Responsibilities

• President's Office Communications:

• Write and strategize communications coming from the President's Office.

• Manage the annual calendar and strategy of Presidential communications.

• Oversee strategic plan communications and materials.

• Serve as liaison between the Marketing & Communications team and the Office of the President on a variety of projects.

• Advancement Office Communications:

• Partner with the Office of Advancement to develop strategic donor communications and fundraising messaging, including stewardship, annual giving, campaign communications, and other initiatives that strengthen donor engagement.

• Write for a variety of media including direct mail, email, and digital and print publications.

• Serve as liaison between the Marketing & Communications team and the Advancement Office on a variety of projects.

• External Communications and Public Relations:

• Implement a comprehensive approach for sharing Eastern University's accomplishments, including institutional, faculty, staff, alumni, and student stories.

• Work proactively to identify stories, news, and information of potential interest to various stakeholders. Shape and distribute that material to key audiences.

• Write news releases and work to coordinate media interest in the University. Ensure appropriate responses to media requests.

• Provide writing support and strategy for crisis communications.

• University Magazine:

• Serve as Editor of the University Magazine, an annual publication which reaches alumni, students, parents, donors, and friends/partners of the University.

• Partner with the Editor-in-Chief to select articles, themes, and content. Write articles, proofread, and support oversight of guest writers.

Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Preferred minimum 3 years of experience in marketing, communications, or public relations with demonstrated success, preferably in the University or not-for-profit sector.
• Bachelor's degree in public relations, journalism, marketing, English, or a related field is preferred. A graduate degree in a related field is desirable.
• Demonstrated skills, knowledge, and experience in the design and execution of public relations and communications activities.

Core Competencies

• Faith & missional alignment: Strong personal faith and the capability to effectively convey and articulate Eastern's faith-based mission and values.
• Excellent writing and communication skills. Strong command of the English language, grammar, and effective communication.
• Self-starter. Strong creative, strategic, organizational, and relational skills.
• Organized and detail-oriented: Capability to work independently and responsibly while managing numerous projects simultaneously.
• Excellent collaboration skills in order to partner with varied constituencies, including University Leadership, department chairs, faculty, staff, and students.

About Eastern University

Eastern University is a Christian university of the arts and sciences that integrates faith, reason and justice for students in its undergraduate, graduate, seminary, urban, professional and international programs. Applicants should have a Christian commitment compatible with its mission and be willing to support the mission and vision of the university. The university complies with federal and state guidelines of nondiscrimination in employment; members of protected classes encouraged to apply.

Background Checks

Standard University employees are required to complete the background clearance process. Employment is contingent upon the successful results of an employment background screening. The employment background screening may include but is not limited to your consumer credit history (for positions that work with the university finances or alumni funds only), verification of education and professional credentials, criminal history, driving history, residency, immigration status, performance, references, and other qualities pertinent to your qualifications for the following position.

Youth Clearances are required for positions with direct contact with children and essential personnel positions. Employees working with or around minor age children are required to complete the youth clearance process which includes the following four child protection clearances:

1) Affidavit;

2) FBI Criminal Record Check;

3) Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance and;

4) Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check.

In accordance with state laws, Act 73 of 2007, Act 153 of 2014, Act 168 (relating to the Child Protective Services Law), school employees of Eastern University who will have "direct contact with children" must complete the background check process prior to employment. Results must be submitted within ten days of receipt.

Description Disclaimer

This description is intended to describe the general level and nature of work performed by the person/people assigned to this position. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive list of duties and responsibilities of the person/people so assigned.

For all positions: Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Eastern University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity as defined under federal and state law, and does not discriminate unlawfully on the basis of race, gender, sexual orientation, color, creed, disability, national/ethnic origin, age, disabled veteran/Vietnam-era, Genetic Information and Nondiscrimination Act (GINA), or veteran status in its admission policy, program, or activities, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other University-administered programs, or employment practices and programs.

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time faculty and staff including healthcare coverage, retirement plan contributions, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, tuition remission and tuition exchange participation as well as an extensive holiday, summer hours and paid time off leave schedule.

Part-time Regular staff who are scheduled 30-36 hours per week over the course of a year, receive a full benefit package based on their part-time scheduled hours. Healthcare coverage is based on the ACA medical coverage guidelines. Affiliate faculty receive a benefit package as outlined with their covenant. Adjunct faculty may be eligible for medical coverage under the ACA after an annual one year lookback review.

Part-time staff who are scheduled to work less than 30 hours per week schedule are eligible for employer contribution towards the retirement plan after one year of employment. Eligibility rules apply. Adjunct faculty may make employee deferral contributions towards the retirement plan.

Part-Time Graduate Assistant Coaches are eligible for participation in the Tuition Remission Coaches Program.

Temporary, Contractors and Seasonal Employees: Individuals in this status are scheduled on an as-needed-basis and are not eligible for participation in the University's benefits programs.

Detailed information regarding our benefits program and eligibility is provided once hired or you can contact Human Resources with any questions.

Employer Eastern University

Address 1300 Eagle Road

St. Davids, Pennsylvania, 19087

Phone 610-341-5986

Website http://www.eastern.edu