Senior Director of Executive Communications

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.

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.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will be given the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Please include a resume and cover letter for a complete application.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota is a world-class research university and one of the largest in the United States. The University leads the way on mission-driven work opportunities, strong employee engagement, a strong benefits package including tuition reimbursement, all in an always-something-new work environment.

Founded in 1851 as a land-grant university, the school now serves more than 70,000 students from 130 countries enrolled on our campuses, thousands of study abroad students, more than 26,000 employees on five campuses across Minnesota, and half a million alumni worldwide.

The University consistently has advanced its mission with exceptional vigor—distinguished by a comprehensive commitment to integrating public engagement deeply into teaching and learning, research, and discovery. The University also strongly embraces equity and diversity as foundational values and has made both engagement and diversity central to systemwide strategic plans.

The Twin Cities campus is in the heart of a dynamic metro area that is a global economic leader, an education and culture hub, and renowned for its abundant natural resources. The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro is home to the fourth-largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies nationwide and thriving entrepreneurial and small business sectors. Ranked as one of the country’s leading “creative economies,” the Twin Cities is renowned for its arts and nonprofit sectors, as well as many lakes, parks, and a wealth of recreational and entertainment opportunities. Spanning locations in both Minneapolis and St. Paul, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities straddles the Mississippi River and adjoins a national park.

The University is an anchor institution for a globally competitive region and state with notable strengths in areas critical to today’s knowledge economy—including biosciences, medical devices, and agriculture and food production. The campus is also located in an increasingly diverse region, with 11 federally-recognized tribal nations, the largest urban Native American population in the country, and growing African American, Latino and Chicano, and Asian American populations.

The Twin Cities campus is located on traditional, ancestral and contemporary lands of Indigenous people. The University resides on Dakota land ceded in the Treaties of 1837 and 1851. The University acknowledges this place has a complex and layered history and is committed to ongoing efforts to recognize, support and advocate for American Indian Nations and peoples.

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.