Executive Director, Strategic Communications

Posting Title

Executive Director, Strategic Communications

Overview

The Executive Director of Strategic Communications is responsible for shaping and executing comprehensive communication strategies that advance the division's goals and objectives. This position plays a pivotal role in enhancing the University's visibility, reputation, and engagement with various stakeholders.

The Executive Director oversees all media and public relations, internal communications, emergency and crisis communications, reputation management, issues management, and the announcement of major campaigns or initiatives. In coordination with the Vice President for Communications & Chief Marketing Officer, the Executive Director is responsible for creating and implementing strategies and initiatives that aim to raise awareness of the University, for fostering relationships with internal and external partners to leverage opportunities for growth and collaboration, and working with Marketing on market research to identify shifting trends in higher education so as to determine long-term goals and strategies to achieve them.

Responsibilities

• Research, write, and prepare remarks, talking points, executive-level correspondence and strategic messaging to support the agenda of the President of the University. Develop strategies to place the President in conversations that matter.

• Develop and execute strategies to raise the profile of both the University and the President. Oversee the University's media relations, with a particular emphasis on positioning the University in the media as an authentically Catholic global research University. Develop strategies to maximize the reach and impact of earned media.

• Oversee the strategy and planning for the communication of all major announcements and University initiatives. Develop and implement communications strategies that highlight the University's progress and achievements.

• Working with the Director of Communications, engage in vigorous proactive media outreach and timely media response to promote the University's faculty experts and the stories of the University.

• Collaborate with leadership to promote positive internal communications that keep all staff members up-to-date and promote an integrated and collaborative environment.

• Serve as the crisis and emergency communication manager. Working with the communications team, ensure the communication functions of the University's Emergency Management plan is implemented in disasters or other emergency matters.

• In collaboration with the leadership team of University Communications, prepare and present reports to the Board of Trustees, University leadership, the Faculty Senate, and Staff Council.

• Alongside the Government Relations team, develop public affairs plans to support initiatives, campaigns, and activities that support the University's government and community relations goals.

• Oversee the daily workflow of the department. Provide constructive and timely performance evaluations.

• Serve as a senior writer that supports executive-level projects that support the Division and the University.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree• 5+ years of experience. • Solid knowledge of the managed sub-functions and solid knowledge of the overall departmental function.• Exceptional written and oral communications skills.• Experience using Google Workspace applications, Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Excel, and Adobe.• Understand the key elements of the issues presented, consider the audience to be communicated to, and craft communications that are effective, well written, and error free. • Excellent work product is a vital indicator of success in this position.• Maintain a positive working relationship with colleagues, the Office of the President, university vice presidents, deans, and directors, particularly those related to official institutional communications. • Fostering key relationships with individuals both within the University and outside of the University is a key responsibility and deliverable of this position.• New issues and circumstances are constantly arising, and a successful Executive Director will always need to be constantly learning and improving in both skills and knowledge.