Strategic Communications Writer

Northampton, MA (On-site)

$80K/yr – $109K/yrSenior Level8+ years expFull time

Posted 2 hrs ago

Job Description

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary communications writer for the President, developing speeches, remarks, correspondence, talking points, opinion pieces, and other executive communications.
Translate complex institutional priorities, policies, and strategic initiatives into clear, compelling communications for diverse audiences.
Ensure consistency and authenticity of the President's voice across all communications and public appearances.
Conduct research, interviews, and background preparation to ensure executive communications are accurate, nuanced, and well-informed.
Work with the presidential speech and writing calendar, coordinating research, review, revisions, approvals, and logistics while maintaining strict confidentiality.
Work closely with the Senior Director of Media Relations and Strategic Communications to ensure alignment between presidential communications, institutional messaging, and media strategy.
Collaborate with Communications and Marketing colleagues and campus partners to identify opportunities to elevate the President's thought leadership and strengthen Smith's public profile.
Advise the President and senior leaders on messaging strategy, framing, and communications approaches for significant institutional issues and initiatives.
Develop messaging frameworks and key messages that support institutional priorities and can be adapted across multiple communications channels.
Prepare the President for speeches, interviews, meetings, panels, and media opportunities through briefing materials and talking points.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Political Science, Public Policy or a related field
8 years of experience in executive communications, journalism, public affairs or a related field
Demonstrated experience writing for senior executives or organizational leaders.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects with competing deadlines.
Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex ideas into compelling narratives while maintaining a consistent executive voice.
Strong political judgment, discretion, and ability to handle confidential information.
Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build credibility and influence at all organizational levels.

Preferred

Experience in higher education, government, philanthropy, or another complex mission-driven organization.
Experience supporting presidents, CEOs, elected officials, or other highly visible leaders.
Familiarity with AP Style and higher education communications.
Experience developing communications around complex policy, governance, or institutional issues.
Strategic thinker with strong editorial judgment and intellectual curiosity who quickly masters unfamiliar subjects.
Ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders and collaborate effectively across a decentralized organization.
Demonstrated ability to write with warmth, wit, and emotional intelligence when appropriate.

Smith College

Liberal Arts College for Women.Since its founding in 1871, Smith College has provided women of high ability and promise an education of uncompromising quality. A world-class faculty of scholars are fully engaged with their students' intellectual development, and an open curriculum encourages each student to explore many fields of knowledge. Mentors for scholarship, leadership and service, across all spectrums of endeavor, allow Smith students to observe different models of achievement, then set their own course with conviction.Smith College Social Media Community GuidelinesSmith College welcomes open forums for discussion among our community, including comments and messages across the college’s social media channels. Please note that comments made on Smith’s social media accounts are the opinions and expressions of the commenter only and do not constitute agreement or endorsement by the college; Smith does not assume any obligation for monitoring and/or policing the social media feeds. Smith reserves the right to remove posts at any time and for any reason, particularly those that violate any of the college’s existing policies. Without limiting Smith College’s discretion to remove submissions, those that are particularly likely to be removed include: Personal attacks of any kind Harassment, intimidation, disparagements, or threatsPromotions of bigotry or discriminationVulgar, obscene, or sexually explicit language Posts that are unnecessarily repetitive or copied into multiple threads Posts that are clearly off-topic Promotions of products, services, or political organizationsPosts that include links to external sites or sourcesSolicitations for external fundraising purposes Content that disguises or misrepresents the poster’s identity Fraudulent or deceptive messages Infringements on any copyrights or trademarksPromotions of illegal or unlawful activitiesFor more information, email socialmedia[at]smith.edu

Northampton, Pennsylvania, USA

2.9K employees (201 in marketing)

www.smith.edu