The Sr Director for Executive Communications and Speech Writer will serve as a key part of the University Marketing Communications leadership team. The person in this role will build awareness, understanding and engagement in the University, leading development and implementation of an executive visibility strategy and speechwriting for the University President. Reporting to the Vice President for Communications, and working closely with the President and the Presidentâ™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 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 speeches and op-eds; master emerging new policy and strategic priorities, successfully develop objectives- and results-driven stakeholder engagement strategies that  inspire audience engagement and extend the priorities of the President and her cabinet. 

This position is primarily in the office with some opportunity for flex work.

Primary Responsibilities 

The Sr Director participates in a wide variety of policy and public relations issues - developing strategies and content that reflect the vision, priorities, and voice of the University's President. The person in this role develops and leads implementation of a comprehensive executive visibility strategy for the University President, doing so in collaboration with partners in University Marketing Communications and across the University. The position also requires exceptional writing, content development and communications skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues across the University. 

Specifically, the Sr Director will:

• Develop and lead implementation of a comprehensive proactive internal and external visibility strategy for the University President â“ ensuring the President inspires engagement of faculty, staff, student, alumni, benefactors, policy makers, elected officials, business and civic leaders, 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 and marketing communications colleagues across the University to build strategies that amplify the Presidentâ™s communications content across all University platforms. 
• 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 and strategic priorities, examples of academic excellence, special events and University, community, state, national engagements. 
• Partner with the Presidentâ™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.
• Draft correspondence for the President, maintaining consistency in tone, messaging, and branding across all communications.
• Draft essays, op-eds, and other thought leadership pieces.
• Route materials through various levels of review, overseeing quality control to ensure accuracy, clarity, coherence, and adherence to style guidelines.
• Maintain up-to-date links to presidential public communications on the Presidentâ™s website.
• Participate in University's contingency planning around public issues or controversies which might require presidential communications.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelorâ™s degree in journalism, communications, business administration or in a related field.
• At least 12 years of professional experience.
• Knowledge of and familiarity with the University and/or a similar large, complex higher education or notâ“for-profit mission-driven organization. environment.
• 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.

About University of Minnesota Twin Cities

The University of Minnesota, founded in the belief that all people are enriched by understanding, is dedicated to the advancement of learning and the search for truth; to the sharing of this knowledge through education for a diverse community; and to the application of this knowledge to benefit the people of the state, the nation, and the world.

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