We're Hiring!

Title: Director of Communications

Position Number: 998250 

Unit/Department: Harkin Institute

Salary: Commensurate with experience and qualifications of the selected candidate.   

Department Summary:

The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement at Drake University welcomes applications for our next Director of Communications. To advance its mission, elevate its profile, and deepen its impact, The Harkin Institute deploys a range of communications tactics—including paid and earned media, social media, print and web-based resources, email, direct mail, convenings, and public programming—to connect to diverse stakeholders, including partner organizations, donors, clients, contractors, policy experts and advocates, journalists, the general public, and Drake University students, faculty, and staff. Our next Director of Communications will lead efforts in these areas and provide direct support to the Institute’s Executive Director and directors of our three main policy areas: People with Disabilities; Retirement Security; and Wellness and Nutrition.

Job Summary:

Our next Director of Communications will bring agility, creativity, accountability, and skill in written, verbal, and visual communications to a collegial, goal-oriented team. In doing so, this individual will demonstrate the ability to work on multiple projects on multiple, parallel, often compressed timelines; engage productively with colleagues; and balance adhering to established standards and policies with thinking creatively in addressing communications opportunities and challenges. They will be able to codeswitch easily, depending on purpose and audience, working effectively in a broad array of discursive and visual idioms. Their sense of style, honed by education and professional experience, will evince seriousness of purpose, broad cultural and policy awareness, and worldliness.
Primarily responsible for internal and external communications, the Director of Communications will also lead the planning and logistics for public-facing events and programming and oversee student associates assigned to communications and programming-related projects.
Reporting directly to the Executive Director, the Director of Communications will also manage scheduling for the Tom and Ruth Harkin Center and maintain the Executive Director’s calendar and facilities and events calendars.
Harkin Institute staff are employees of Drake University and receive a highly competitive benefits package; including tuition remission; dependent tuition exchange; generous retirement, health, and dental plans; and access to Drake University wellness, recreational, and learning facilities and programming.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree with a major, minor, or substantial coursework in media relations, journalism, mass communications, graphic design, and/or similar applied fields.
• Experience in communications, graphic design, or media relations in a professional context.
• Demonstrated strategic mindset, creativity, professionalism, and agility.
• Demonstrated ability to work productively with diverse stakeholders.
• High degree of organization, responsiveness, and professionalism.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in strategic communications and graphic design.
• International work or study-abroad experience. e
• 3+ years full-time professional experience in communications, graphic design, or media relations.
• Experience working with or representing non-profit public-service organizations.
• Demonstrated familiarity with public policy, policymaking, and US and global political systems.

Job Duties:

• 65% - Oversee, coordinate, design, and implement The Institute's communications strategy, both external and internal.
• 25% - Manage pre- and post-event logistics for all events sponsored or co-sponsored by The Institute. 
• 5% - Assist with administrative duties, including managing Harkin Center schedule and Executive Director's calendar.
• 5% - Other duties as assigned. 

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Applicants will submit a 1-2 page cover letter, resume, electronic portfolio of written and visual work samples, and names and contact information for two or three professional and/or academic references. Additional materials will be requested from short-listed candidates prior to initial interview.

Salary and Benefits:

At Drake, we are proud to offer our employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a wide range of core benefits, perks, and discounts. If you are exploring a job with Drake University, we invite you to spend a little time with our Drake Benefits Guide 2025. One of our popular policies provides a tuition waiver for Drake employees, their spouses, and eligible dependents. Drake also participates in not one, but two tuition exchange programs available to dependent children. Tuition Benefits

Review of Applications Begins:

Review of applications will begin immediately; Zoom and on-site interviews in January 2026. Target start date: February 15, 2026 or sooner.

This position will remain open until filled.