Director of Executive Communications

Responsibilities

• Communications Counsel * Advise the President and other University leaders on how to communicate significant achievements, announcements, and campaigns that involve the President or presidential initiatives. Help them build buy-in, articulate their goals, and reach all targeted audiences. * Help the President and other University leaders understand the impact of framing and other decisions around tone, timing, and platforms when making major announcements. * Advise the President on how to evaluate speaking invitations, media opportunities, and other opportunities to engage campus and external audiences.
• Strategic Communications Planning * Develop forward-looking communications plans for the President that connect presidential priorities, major announcements, and ongoing engagement. * Anticipate questions and concerns and help the President and other University leaders answer those proactively. * Maintain plans for how the President and his team will communicate during various scenarios, including unexpected events and high-profile opportunities. * Coordinate frequently with those who are hosting and preparing for presidential appearances to gather information in advance and keep it current as events draw closer. * Exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential information, sensitive issues, and communications that could impact the University’s reputation.
• Executive Messaging and Brand Voice * University’s strengths and achievements, explains presidential initiatives, addresses challenges candidly, and builds support for the University and its direction. * Serve as primary writer of speeches, messages to campus, consequential correspondence, newsletters, guest articles, and other communications from the President. * Research and verify examples, illustrations, and metrics so all presidential communications are accurate and credible * Prepare the President and other University leaders to help them understand audiences they are addressing and questions that may arise. * Expand the President’s presence on social media to support the University and explain initiatives in an authentic, compelling voice.
• Coordination with Other University Voices * Develop and execute plans for informing key leaders, individuals, and audiences as major presidential decisions take shape. * Frequently and consistently coordinate with the UNT System and with University Brand Strategy and Communications to ensure alignment among messages from the System, the University, and the President’s Office. * Provide the core narrative, key messages, and Q&A for presidential initiatives, and share them with other communications teams, who lead execution of initiative communications plans. * Serve as a liaison between the Office of the President and communications staff throughout the University and the UNT System. * Serve as the communications liaison between the Office of the President and other departments, including Academic Affairs, Advancement, Student Affairs, University Brand Strategy and Communications, and UNT System Government Relations.
• Physical Requirements Communicating with others to exchange information.
• Environmental Hazards No adverse environmental conditions expected.
• Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm; some evening and weekend work may be necessary
• Driving University Vehicle No
• Security Sensitive This is a Security Sensitive Position.
• Special Instructions Applicants must submit a minimum of two professional references as part of their application. If needed, additional references can be added after the application has been submitted.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Media Arts, Marketing, Public Affairs, Political Science, or a related field.
• Minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in executive communications, speechwriting, or a related field or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Strategic thinking. Someone who knows how to communicate an idea today, but anticipates how it will resonate with audiences in the days and weeks to follow. This person understands the importance of building buy-in with key audiences and colleagues before and after an announcement is made.
• Writing and voice. Someone who can translate complex ideas into clear, memorable language, captivate audiences, and capture the President’s voice across audiences and formats.
• Storytelling. Someone who can help the President explain his ideas across audiences and platforms and help put those ideas into a broader story about the direction of the University.
• Amplification. Someone who can give the President’s ideas clarity and reach in ways that build the profile and brand of the University.
• Multi-tasking. Someone who can advance numerous high-profile communications efforts at once without letting one suffer at the expense of another.
• Collaboration. Someone who can work with other leaders and communicators on campus to ensure that presidential communications integrate seamlessly into the overall story being told about the University and its direction.

Preferred

• executive communications
• speechwriting
• leading communications for a higher education leader
• corporate communications
• strategic advising

Benefits

• For information regarding our Benefits, click here.