Senior Director of Executive Communications

About the Job

The Sr. Director, Executive Communications will build awareness, understanding and engagement in the University, leading development and implementation of an executive visibility strategy for the University President. Reporting to the Chief Communications Officer, and working closely with the President and the President’s Office, the Sr. Director will articulate the vision, strategies and priorities of the President and her Cabinet, in engaging and creative ways, to a variety of key audiences.

The Sr. Director is an experienced executive communication professional and content developer who brings demonstrated experience in development of strategies and content that inspire action amongst a broad set of stakeholders. The person in this role will develop a range of engaging content, including high-profile speeches and op-eds; master emerging policy and strategic priorities; successfully develop objectives- and results-driven stakeholder engagement strategies that inspire audiences and extend the priorities of the President and her Cabinet.

Please note: this position is not eligible for H-1B or Green Card sponsorship. This position does not offer a STEM OPT training program. This is a 100% time, in-person position.

Primary Responsibilities

The Sr. Director develops and leads implementation of a comprehensive executive visibility strategy that advances the vision, priorities, and voice of the University's President. The position requires exceptional writing, content development and communications skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues in University Marketing Communications and the Office of the President, and with campuses, colleges and units across the University.

Key Responsibilities

Executive Visibility

• Develop and lead implementation of a comprehensive, proactive internal and external visibility strategy for the University President – ensuring the President inspires engagement of faculty, staff, students, alumni and benefactors; policy makers and elected officials, business and civic leaders; and community, state and national leaders that align to the University mission and strategic priorities.
• Identify and secure speaking opportunities inside and outside the University for the University President, furthering mission and strategic priorities and inspiring engagement among key stakeholders.
• Partner with University Marketing Communications colleagues across the University to build strategies that amplify the President’s communications content across all University platforms.

Content Development

• Develop and ensure input and approval of a wide range of content, including University-wide updates and announcements, speeches, talking points, statements, and scripts for the President on topics that include University mission, strategic priorities and impact.
• Partner with the President’s Cabinet, and University partners, to strategize and shape University messaging, content and social media.
• Ensure alignment with University brand positioning, key messages, mission and strategic goals and priorities.
• Provide oversight for the President’s web and social strategy, ensuring they are data-informed and drive visibility for prioritized topics.
• Oversee executive correspondence, maintaining consistency in tone, messaging, and branding across all communications.
• Draft essays, op-eds, and other thought leadership pieces, in partnership with the University PR team.

Strategic Communications

• Collaborate with the Chief Communications Officer and communications leads across the University to drive a cohesive approach to thought leadership and executive visibility for the University.
• Contribute to planning and execution of a comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategy that enables the University to collectively engage and activate key stakeholders in priority areas for the University and around key issues.
• Participate in University's contingency planning around public issues or controversies which might require presidential communications.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, communications, business administration or in a related field.
• At least 12 years of professional experience, including proven experience advancing executive communications and visibility for a senior leader or official.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with the University and/or a similar large, complex higher education or not–for-profit mission-driven organization.
• Commitment to upholding the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, discretion, and confidentiality.
• Ability to communicate effectively and confidently at all levels of the organization to promote and gain approval for ideas and plans.
• Strength in critical and strategic thinking; strong problem-solving abilities, resourcefulness and ingenuity.
• Ability to collaborate with and in some cases convene teams that include participants from other areas of the unit and organization to integrate the deliverables of the functions and achieve common goals to successfully support the mission of the University.
• Demonstrated skill in gathering information and data to author complex correspondence, reports, policy, financial and planning documents.
• Demonstrated strong business acumen and analytical skills and ability to contribute to strategic thinking while also being able to accomplish tactical tasks.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills, with the ability to independently manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

• Excellence in developing objectives and performance metrics driven strategies.
• Excellent writing skills that inspire engagement and meet audience expectations.
• Demonstrated experience making data-informed decisions.
• Ability to quickly adjust to changing priorities and situations.