Associate Director, Executive Communications - Advancement

Stony Brook University; Stony Brook (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

$4,150 UUP location pay

Job summary

Stony Brook University is seeking an Associate Director, Executive Communications for Advancement to serve as the lead writer and communications strategist for presidential materials. You will craft speeches, remarks, and strategic messaging that articulate the president’s priorities and advance fundraising and donor engagement.

This role requires exceptional writing, discretion, and the ability to work under tight deadlines, in close partnership with the Office of Advancement to align messaging

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and four years of full-time experience in communications for executive leadership in higher education or related sectors.
• Experience writing for presidential materials and executive leadership in higher education or related organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead writer and communications strategist for presidential materials connected to the Advancement division.
• Develop speeches, remarks, correspondence, and strategic messaging for the president’s priorities and fundraising goals.
• Collaborate with the Office of Advancement to ensure presidential materials are aligned with institutional strategy.
• Support donor engagement, campaign activity, and board-level philanthropy through high-profile communications.

Skills

Executive writing

Strategic communications

Donor engagement

Speechwriting

Editing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Advanced degree

Job description

Job Description - Associate Director, Executive Communications - Advancement (2603755)

Associate Director, Executive Communications - Advancement

Required Qualifications (as evidenced by an attached resume):
Bachelor’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher). Four (4) years of full time experience in communications for executive leadership in higher education or with a corporate, healthcare, governmental, or non-profit organization.

Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in English, Communications, or related field. Advanced degree (foreign equivalent or higher). Additional years (5+) of full time experience in communications for executive leadership in higher education or with a corporate, healthcare, governmental, or non-profit organization. Experience providing strategic communications materials for a president or other executive leadership position in higher education or an academic medical center. Experience writing for donor and volunteer leadership audiences.

The Associate Director, Executive Communications for Advancement serves as the lead writer and communications strategist for presidential materials connected to the Advancement division. Reporting to the Director of Executive Communications, the Associate Director develops speeches, remarks, correspondence, and strategic messaging that articulate the president’s philanthropic and strategic priorities and elevate Advancement’s goals and objectives to accelerate institutional momentum.
Working in close partnership with the Office of Advancement, the Associate Director ensures that all presidential messaging related to fundraising, campaign activity, donor engagement, and board‑level philanthropy is aligned, consistent, and reflective of institutional strategy.
The Associate Director’s portfolio includes the president’s most consequential Advancement related communications: campaign moments, principal donor engagement, high‑stakes events, and materials where the President’s Office and Advancement intersect. The role requires exceptional writing ability, discretion, and judgment under tight deadlines, along with the strategic insight to connect presidential messaging to fundraising goals, institutional priorities, and reputational considerations.

• Executive Writing & High Profile Communications
  • Serve as President's Office lead writer for presidential philanthropic and engagement communications, partnering closely with Advancement to ensure all materials connected to fundraising, campaign activity, and donor engagement reflect the president’s voice and institutional priorities. Develop high‑profile presidential content including speeches, talking points, Stony Brook Foundation Board remarks, principal and major gift correspondence, and Advancement‑related event scripts.
• Philanthropic Partnering & Advancement
  • Provide writing and editing support for strategic presidential communications of the President’s Office, leveraging direct exposure to presidential priorities and decision‑making to develop donor, campaign, and engagement materials that are accurately aligned with the president's voice and institutional objectives.
• Reputational Management
  • Support donor‑sensitive and reputationally significant issues‑management communications, working confidentially with the President’s Office and the Office of Advancement.
• Other duties or projects as assigned as appropriate to rank and departmental mission.

Special Notes:
This is a full-time appointment. FLSA Exempt position, not eligible for the overtime provisions of the FLSA. Minimum salary threshold must be met to maintain FLSA exemption.
In addition to the employee's base salary, this position is eligible for $4,150 UUP annual location pay, paid biweekly.
For this position, we are unable to sponsor candidates for work visas.
Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in the creation of an inclusive learning and working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status and all other protected classes under federal or state laws.
Stony Brook University is dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants, including individuals with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application, interview, or hiring process, please request one by contacting [e-mail]. We will consider accommodation requests in compliance with applicable laws. This process is independent and does not require any voluntary self-identification of disability status. Please include the position title and position number (if known) in your message.
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Job Number

2603755

Official Job Title

Staff Associate

Job Field

Administrative & Professional (non-Clinical)

Primary Location

Executive Office

Schedule

Full-time

Shift

Day Shift

Shift Hours

8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.