Director, Executive Communications

Southern Methodist University Inc; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition benefits

Wellness programs

Retirement programs

Health benefits

Job summary

Southern Methodist University seeks a Director of Executive Communications to lead the University’s high‑level communications for the President, Executive Vice President and Provost, and other senior leaders. The role requires developing speeches, remarks and digital content, coordinating across audiences and platforms, and ensuring consistency in voice and institutional messaging.

The position reports to the Head of Communications and guides a dedicated team to advance SMU’s priorities and

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in executive communications, strategic communications, or related fields.
• 3+ years of experience managing a communications team.
• Experience advising senior executives in complex environments is strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute communications strategies for the President, Executive Vice President, Provost and other senior leaders.
• Oversee speeches, remarks, presentations, correspondence and talking points.
• Manage web presence for the President and senior offices.
• Support communications for SMU's strategic priorities and initiatives.
• Prepare executives for media interviews and public appearances.
• Lead narrative development and strategic messaging to elevate University visibility.
• Ensure consistent executive voice across channels and platforms.
• Coordinate communications planning for major initiatives, events and milestones.
• Identify opportunities to elevate executive visibility and institutional achievements.
• Collaborate with Academic Affairs and other leaders for aligned messaging.
• Oversee workflows, priorities, timelines, and approvals for executive communications.
• Supervise the executive communications team.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Verbal communication

Writing & editing

Time management

MS Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, PR or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description Salary Range: Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications

About SMU

SMU's more than 12,000 diverse, high-achieving students come from all 50 states and over 80 countries to take advantage of the University's small classes, meaningful research opportunities, leadership development, community service, international study and innovative programs.

SMU serves approximately 7,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduate students through eight degree-granting schools: Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering, Meadows School of the Arts, Simmons School of Education and Human Development, Dedman School of Law, Perkins School of Theology and Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies.

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem - paired with entrepreneurial drive - creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence.

Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities. SMU's relationship with Dallas - the dynamic center of one of the nation’s fastest-growing regions - offers unique learning, research, social and career opportunities that provide a launch pad for global impact.

SMU is nonsectarian in its teaching and committed to academic freedom and open inquiry.

About the Department

As SMU continues its academic ascent, Marketing and Communications plays a central role in elevating the University's profile and advancing its institutional priorities. Working collaboratively across campus, the team leads communications, marketing, media relations, digital and reputation-building efforts that showcase academic excellence, research, the student experience and SMU's impact. Through integrated planning, creative marketing and communications, proactive engagement and issues management, the team builds and protects SMU's reputation and strengthens connections with audiences locally, nationally and globally.

About the Position

This role is an on-campus, in-person position. As SMU advances its strategic plan and elevates its national profile, Marketing and Communications is evolving to operate more strategically, proactively, and in alignment with institutional priorities and the academic mission. The Director of Executive Communications leads the University's executive communications function, developing speeches, remarks, correspondence, thought leadership, digital content, and major institutional messaging for the President, Executive Vice President and Provost, and other senior leaders. This role advances University priorities, strengthens reputation, and supports SMU's strategic plan. The Director ensures coordination of executive communications across audiences and platforms, elevating institutional leadership, academic excellence, and key initiatives. Reporting to the Head of Communications, the Director manages the executive communications team.

Essential Functions

• In partnership with the Head of Communications, develop and execute communications strategies for the President, Executive Vice President and Provost, and other senior leaders.
• Oversee and develop speeches, remarks, presentations, correspondence, talking points, video scripts, op-eds and other executive communications materials.
• Oversee the strategic management and ongoing maintenance of the Office of the President and Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost web presence.
• Support communications related to SMU's strategic priorities, including transformative teaching and programs, research that matters, athletic impact, exceptional experiences and principled leadership.
• Support executive preparation for media interviews, public appearances, and other high-profile engagements.
• Lead executive narrative development, thought leadership, and strategic messaging efforts that advance University priorities, reputation, and institutional visibility.
• Ensure consistency in executive voice, tone and institutional positioning across communications channels, including executive social media platforms.
• Support communications planning for major University initiatives, announcements, events and milestones.
• Identify opportunities to elevate executive visibility and showcase institutional accomplishments.
• Partner with Academic Affairs and leaders across the University to ensure coordinated communications and alignment on key messages.
• Manage executive communications workflows, priorities, timelines and approvals.
• Supervise the executive communications team, including the Associate Director for Strategic Communications and Executive Communications Social Media Manager.
• At times this position requires evening and weekend availability to support executive communications and team members with on-call responsibilities for emergencies.

Qualifications Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree is required, preferably in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations or another related field. Master's is preferred.
• A minimum of eight (8) years of experience in executive communications, strategic communications, speech writing, journalism, public affairs or other related fields is required.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience managing a communications team is required.
• Experience advising senior executives in complex organizational environments is strongly preferred.
• Experience in higher education, government, nonprofit, healthcare, or corporate executive communications desired.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Candidate must have exceptional writing and editing skills with demonstrated ability to adapt tone and voice for senior leaders. Candidate must possess strong problem‑solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong planning, organizational, and time‑management skills. A strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite is required.

Physical and Environmental Demands

• Sit for long periods of time
• Bend, squat, stand, crawl, climb
• Walk for long distances
• Reach above shoulders
• Handle objects (dexterity)
• Push/pull
• Carry/lift 25 lbs.

Deadline to Apply

Priority consideration may be granted to applications received by September 3, 2026. Position will remain open until filled.

EEO Statement

SMU is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, or gender identity and expression.

Benefits

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution. SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU. The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.