Communications Director Jobs in Ohio
Communications Director jobs in Ohio are active across a range of sectors, with consistent demand in healthcare systems, higher education, state government, and corporate headquarters, and openings at every level from communications manager to senior vice president of communications. The heaviest hiring concentrates in Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, where institutions like OhioHealth, Cleveland Clinic, and Procter and Gamble maintain large, ongoing communications teams. The most sought-after specialties in Ohio are crisis communications, executive communications, and integrated media strategy. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Communications Director JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 12+ Communications Director jobs
Screen reader users may encounter difficulty with this site. For assistance with applying, please contact hr-accessibleapplication@osu.edu . If you have questions while submitting an application, please review these frequently asked questions .
Current Employees and Students:
If you are currently employed or enrolled as a student at The Ohio State University, please l og in to Workday to use the internal application process.
Welcome to The Ohio State University's career site. We invite you to apply to positions of interest. In order to ensure your application is complete, you must complete the following:
Ensure you have all necessary documents available when starting the application process. You can review the additional job description section on postings for documents that may be required.
Prior to submitting your application, please review and update (if necessary) the information in your candidate profile as it will transfer to your application.
Job Title:
Senior Director of Communications and MarketingDepartment:
Academic Affairs Administration | Office of the ProvostThe Senior Director of Communications and Marketing serves as the lead communications strategist for Ohio State's Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) and provides leadership, supervision, and strategic direction for the Office of Academic Affairs communications team. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this position develops and executes communications strategies that advance the university's commitment to academic excellence and elevate the impact of the Office of Academic Affairs. The Senior Director serves as a trusted communications advisor to the Provost and OAA leadership team, providing counsel on strategic messaging, executive communications, issues management, and reputational stewardship. The director leads strategic storytelling and integrated communications efforts that effectively communicate academic priorities, institutional initiatives, and organizational impact to internal and external audiences.
55% | Leadership
- Lead the development and execution of communications strategies that advance the priorities of the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA).
- Serve as the principal communications advisor to the Executive Vice President and Provost, Chief of Staff, and senior OAA leadership.
- Provide leadership, supervision, and professional development for communications team staff, fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and service-oriented culture.
- Directs the establishment of goals, metrics, and evaluation processes to measure the effectiveness of communications efforts.
- Oversee the development of speeches, presentations, talking points, messages, reports, and other executive communications.
- Ensure consistent messaging that advances Ohio State's commitment to academic excellence, student success, research impact, faculty distinction, and institutional leadership.
15% | Strategic Content Development and Storytelling
- Direct the creation of high-impact content that communicates the value, outcomes, and impact of academic programs, faculty achievements, student success initiatives, and university priorities.
- Evolve and strengthen existing approaches to communicating academic impact across internal and external audiences.
- Identify emerging opportunities to elevate OAA's leadership in academic excellence and innovation through strategic storytelling.
- Oversee editorial planning and content production across multiple communications channels.
15% | Collaboration and Communications Coordination
- Collaborate with college communicators, University Communications, government relations, student life, research, and other university partners to ensure alignment of messaging and priorities.
- Provide leadership and guidance on communications initiatives that span multiple units.
- Build strong relationships with academic leaders and stakeholders across the university.
- Represent OAA on university communications committees and working groups.
10% | Issues Management
- Develop communications strategies and response plans related to complex academic, operational, and policy matters.
- Advise senior leaders on communications implications of strategic decisions and institutional actions.
- Coordinate with University Communications and other partners during issues management activities.
5% | Operations, Assessment, and Continuous Improvement
- Monitor communications trends, audience insights, and best practices in higher education.
- Manage communications workflows, editorial calendars, and external vendors as needed.
- Support budget planning and resource allocation for OAA communications initiatives.
- Other duties as assigned.
Preferred Qualifications and Education
Master’s degree in communications, journalism, or a related field.
Experience
- 10+ years of professional experience in relevant communications, public relations, higher education, or related roles working with senior executives.
- Proven success in communications for higher education and/or non-profit organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to influence people to meet goals and deadlines, and work collaboratively with senior leadership, faculty, consultants, colleagues, and other constituents.
- Background overseeing production of communication and marketing materials.
- Knowledge of communications best practices, including technology.
- Experience leading teams, developing talent, and managing staff.
- Technical Skills or Knowledge
- A working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as well as social media and web tools; ability to create distinctive PowerPoint presentations.
Preferred Competencies
- Proven communications strategist.
- Proven ability to lead and work effectively horizontally and vertically.
- Exceptional project management and organizational skills including the ability to meet external and internal deadlines.
- Outstanding oral and written communications skills for the effective delivery of the Office of Academic Affairs’ priorities.
- Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and set priorities.
- Superior knowledge of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and AP style.
- Strong editing and creativity skills.
- Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative.
- Extreme attention to detail.
- Ability to pivot quickly and adapt to evolving priorities.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle complex and sensitive information with discretion.
- Ability to translate previous experiences to a higher education environment with constituencies and locations across the state
Additional Information:
The actual salary paid to an individual will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, education, years of experience, internal equity, etc.
Function: Marketing and Communications
Subfunction: Marketing Strategy and Management
Band: Managerial
Level: 4
Location:
Bricker Hall (0001)Position Type:
RegularScheduled Hours:
40Shift:
First ShiftFinal candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.
Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions .
The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.
Screen reader users may encounter difficulty with this site. For assistance with applying, please contact hr-accessibleapplication@osu.edu . If you have questions while submitting an application, please review these frequently asked questions .
Current Employees and Students:
If you are currently employed or enrolled as a student at The Ohio State University, please l og in to Workday to use the internal application process.
Welcome to The Ohio State University's career site. We invite you to apply to positions of interest. In order to ensure your application is complete, you must complete the following:
Ensure you have all necessary documents available when starting the application process. You can review the additional job description section on postings for documents that may be required.
Prior to submitting your application, please review and update (if necessary) the information in your candidate profile as it will transfer to your application.
Job Title:
Senior Director of Communications and MarketingDepartment:
Academic Affairs Administration | Office of the ProvostThe Senior Director of Communications and Marketing serves as the lead communications strategist for Ohio State's Office of Academic Affairs (OAA) and provides leadership, supervision, and strategic direction for the Office of Academic Affairs communications team. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, this position develops and executes communications strategies that advance the university's commitment to academic excellence and elevate the impact of the Office of Academic Affairs. The Senior Director serves as a trusted communications advisor to the Provost and OAA leadership team, providing counsel on strategic messaging, executive communications, issues management, and reputational stewardship. The director leads strategic storytelling and integrated communications efforts that effectively communicate academic priorities, institutional initiatives, and organizational impact to internal and external audiences.
55% | Leadership
- Lead the development and execution of communications strategies that advance the priorities of the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA).
- Serve as the principal communications advisor to the Executive Vice President and Provost, Chief of Staff, and senior OAA leadership.
- Provide leadership, supervision, and professional development for communications team staff, fostering a high-performing, collaborative, and service-oriented culture.
- Directs the establishment of goals, metrics, and evaluation processes to measure the effectiveness of communications efforts.
- Oversee the development of speeches, presentations, talking points, messages, reports, and other executive communications.
- Ensure consistent messaging that advances Ohio State's commitment to academic excellence, student success, research impact, faculty distinction, and institutional leadership.
15% | Strategic Content Development and Storytelling
- Direct the creation of high-impact content that communicates the value, outcomes, and impact of academic programs, faculty achievements, student success initiatives, and university priorities.
- Evolve and strengthen existing approaches to communicating academic impact across internal and external audiences.
- Identify emerging opportunities to elevate OAA's leadership in academic excellence and innovation through strategic storytelling.
- Oversee editorial planning and content production across multiple communications channels.
15% | Collaboration and Communications Coordination
- Collaborate with college communicators, University Communications, government relations, student life, research, and other university partners to ensure alignment of messaging and priorities.
- Provide leadership and guidance on communications initiatives that span multiple units.
- Build strong relationships with academic leaders and stakeholders across the university.
- Represent OAA on university communications committees and working groups.
10% | Issues Management
- Develop communications strategies and response plans related to complex academic, operational, and policy matters.
- Advise senior leaders on communications implications of strategic decisions and institutional actions.
- Coordinate with University Communications and other partners during issues management activities.
5% | Operations, Assessment, and Continuous Improvement
- Monitor communications trends, audience insights, and best practices in higher education.
- Manage communications workflows, editorial calendars, and external vendors as needed.
- Support budget planning and resource allocation for OAA communications initiatives.
- Other duties as assigned.
Preferred Qualifications and Education
Master’s degree in communications, journalism, or a related field.
Experience
- 10+ years of professional experience in relevant communications, public relations, higher education, or related roles working with senior executives.
- Proven success in communications for higher education and/or non-profit organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to influence people to meet goals and deadlines, and work collaboratively with senior leadership, faculty, consultants, colleagues, and other constituents.
- Background overseeing production of communication and marketing materials.
- Knowledge of communications best practices, including technology.
- Experience leading teams, developing talent, and managing staff.
- Technical Skills or Knowledge
- A working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint as well as social media and web tools; ability to create distinctive PowerPoint presentations.
Preferred Competencies
- Proven communications strategist.
- Proven ability to lead and work effectively horizontally and vertically.
- Exceptional project management and organizational skills including the ability to meet external and internal deadlines.
- Outstanding oral and written communications skills for the effective delivery of the Office of Academic Affairs’ priorities.
- Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and set priorities.
- Superior knowledge of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and AP style.
- Strong editing and creativity skills.
- Effective problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative.
- Extreme attention to detail.
- Ability to pivot quickly and adapt to evolving priorities.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle complex and sensitive information with discretion.
- Ability to translate previous experiences to a higher education environment with constituencies and locations across the state
Additional Information:
The actual salary paid to an individual will vary based on multiple factors, including but not limited to, education, years of experience, internal equity, etc.
Function: Marketing and Communications
Subfunction: Marketing Strategy and Management
Band: Managerial
Level: 4
Location:
Bricker Hall (0001)Position Type:
RegularScheduled Hours:
40Shift:
First ShiftFinal candidates are subject to successful completion of a background check. A drug screen or physical may be required during the post offer process.
Thank you for your interest in positions at The Ohio State University and Wexner Medical Center. Once you have applied, the most updated information on the status of your application can be found by visiting the Candidate Home section of this site. Please view your submitted applications by logging in and reviewing your status. For answers to additional questions please review the frequently asked questions .
The university is an equal opportunity employer, including veterans and disability.
See All 12 Communications Director Jobs in Ohio
Find roles in Ohio that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Communications Director JobsCommunications Director Jobs by City in Ohio
Where Ohio roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Communications Director Job Market in Ohio
A snapshot from current Ohio openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
What Ohio Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in communications director jobs across Ohio.
- Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or a related field required
- Seven or more years of progressively responsible communications or public relations experience
- Demonstrated experience leading a communications team and managing direct reports
- Proven ability to develop and execute multi-channel communications strategies for large organizations
- Strong media relations experience including spokesperson duties and press release development
- Proficiency with content management systems, social media platforms, and analytics tools
Communications Director Jobs in Ohio: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a communications director in Ohio?
Most communications directors in Ohio enter the role after earning a bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, or marketing, followed by several years building experience in communications, media relations, or public affairs roles. Ohio does not require a state-issued license for this position. Employers in Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati typically look for candidates who have managed teams, handled executive communications, and developed measurable strategy at a mid-size or large organization.
Which companies hire communications directors in Ohio?
Employers hiring communications directors in Ohio right now include OhioHealth, Westgate Chapel, and Procter & Gamble, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. Ohio's mix of Fortune 500 headquarters, large hospital systems, and public universities keeps demand for senior communications talent steady throughout the year.
Which Ohio cities have the most communications director jobs?
Columbus, Cleveland, and Toledo have the most communications director openings in Ohio. Columbus leads because it is home to state government agencies, Ohio State University, and a dense cluster of corporate headquarters, while Cleveland and Cincinnati draw significant hiring through their major health systems, financial services firms, and consumer goods companies headquartered in each metro.
Are there remote communications director jobs in Ohio?
Yes, and more than many leadership roles, since communications director work centers on writing, strategy, and stakeholder management that travel well across remote settings. About 40% of communications director openings tied to Ohio are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting the desk-based nature of much of the role. Executive communications and content strategy functions are the most likely to offer fully remote arrangements, while roles involving regular press events or board-level presence tend to require in-office time.
How can I get hired as a communications director in Ohio with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a communications coordinator or specialist role at a large Ohio employer, then moving into management after demonstrating results. Hospital systems like Cleveland Clinic and OhioHealth, along with state agencies in Columbus, regularly hire entry-level communications staff and promote from within. Building a portfolio of press releases, social campaigns, or internal communications projects strengthens any application, and an accreditation in public relations from the Public Relations Society of America gives candidates a measurable edge over others at a similar career stage.
Where can I find and apply to communications director jobs in Ohio?
You can find and apply to communications director jobs in Ohio on Migrate Mate, which lists current Ohio openings in one place. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to each one.
See All 12 Communications Director Jobs in Ohio
Find roles in Ohio that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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