Director of Executive Communications

University of North Texas - Denton; Denton (TX); On-site; USD 125,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of North Texas in Denton seeks a Director of Executive Communications to serve as the President's writer and strategic advisor, translating presidential initiatives for internal and external audiences.

The role reports to the Chief of Presidential Strategy and Partnerships and requires shaping a compelling voice that informs stakeholders, coordinates with campus leaders, and helps elevate UNT's priorities across channels.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Marketing, Public Affairs, or related field required.
• Minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in executive communications or speechwriting.
• Equivalent combination of education, training and experience acceptable.

Responsibilities

• Advise the President and university leaders on messaging for achievements, campaigns, and initiatives.
• Shape tone, timing, and platform choices for major announcements.
• Evaluate speaking invitations and media opportunities for the President.
• Develop forward-looking communications plans aligning priorities with major announcements.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Writing and voice

Storytelling

Amplification

Multi-tasking

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Media Arts, Marketing, Public Affairs, Political Science, or a related field

Job description

Title

Director of Executive Communications

Employee Classification

Dir Executive Communications

Campus

University of North Texas

Division

UNT-Office of the President

SubDivision-Department

UNT-Office of the President

Department

UNT-Office of the President-100000

Job Location

Denton

Salary

$125,000 - $135,000

FTE

1.000000

Retirement Eligibility

TRS Eligible

About Us - Values Overview

Welcome to the University of North Texas System. The UNT System includes the University of North Texas in Denton and Frisco, the University of North Texas at Dallas and UNT Dallas College of Law, and University of North Texas Health Fort Worth. We are the only university system based exclusively in the robust Dallas-Fort Worth region. We are growing with the North Texas region, employing more than 14,000 employees, educating a record 49,000+ students across our system, and awarding nearly 12,000 degrees each year.

We are one team comprised of individuals who are committed to excellence, curiosity and innovation. We are transforming lives and creating economic opportunity through education. We champion a people-first values-based culture where We Care about each other and those we serve. We believe that we are Better Together because we foster an environment of respect, belonging, and access for all. We demonstrate Courageous Integrity through setting exceptional standards and acting in the best interest of our communities. We are encouraged to Be Curious about opportunities for learning, creating, discovering, and innovating, and are encouraged to learn from failure. Show Your Fire by joining our team and exhibiting your passion and pride in your work as part of our UNT System team.

Learn more about the UNT System and how we live our values at www.UNTSystem.edu.

Department Summary

The Office of the President provides executive leadership and strategic direction to advance the university's priorities, including student success, academic excellence, and institutional impact. It serves as a central hub for cross-functional collaboration, aligning academic, administrative, and external partners to drive innovation and enhance operational effectiveness.

Position Overview

The Director of Executive Communications will serve as a writer and content creator for the President, as well as a thought partner on how presidential decisions are communicated to internal and external constituencies. The position requires someone who can help explain and illustrate presidential initiatives for a variety of audiences on and off campus while supporting the University's priorities. The Director will participate in consequential discussions early enough to help shape how decisions are explained and understood. The President will rely on the Director of Executive Communications to help him communicate in a compelling voice that keeps key constituents informed and builds support for the University. This position reports to the Chief of Presidential Strategy and Partnerships and works closely with the President. The role covers the President's own communications and the core messaging for presidential initiatives.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Media Arts, Marketing, Public Affairs, Political Science, or a related field. Minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in executive communications, speechwriting, or a related field or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Strategic thinking. Someone who knows how to communicate an idea today, but anticipates how it will resonate with audiences in the days and weeks to follow. This person understands the importance of building buy-in with key audiences and colleagues before and after an announcement is made.
• Writing and voice. Someone who can translate complex ideas into clear, memorable language, captivate audiences, and capture the President's voice across audiences and formats.
• Storytelling. Someone who can help the President explain his ideas across audiences and platforms and help put those ideas into a broader story about the direction of the University.
• Amplification. Someone who can give the President's ideas clarity and reach in ways that build the profile and brand of the University.
• Multi-tasking. Someone who can advance numerous high-profile communications efforts at once without letting one suffer at the expense of another.
• Collaboration. Someone who can work with other leaders and communicators on campus to ensure that presidential communications integrate seamlessly into the overall story being told about the University and its direction.

Preferred Qualifications

• executive communications
• speechwriting
• leading communications for a higher education leader
• corporate communications
• strategic advising

Required License/Registration/Certifications

N/A

Job Duties

Communications Counsel

• Advise the President and other University leaders on how to communicate significant achievements, announcements, and campaigns that involve the President or presidential initiatives. Help them build buy-in, articulate their goals, and reach all targeted audiences.
• Help the President and other University leaders understand the impact of framing and other decisions around tone, timing, and platforms when making major announcements.
• Advise the President on how to evaluate speaking invitations, media opportunities, and other opportunities to engage campus and external audiences.

Strategic Communications Planning

• Develop forward-looking communications plans for the President that connect presidential priorities, major announcements, and ongoing engagement.
• Anticipate questions and concerns and help the President and other University leaders answer those proactively.
• Maintain plans for how the President and his team will communicate during various scenarios, including unexpected events and high-profile opportunities.
• Coordinate frequently with those who are hosting and preparing for presidential appearances to gather information in advance and keep it current as events draw closer.
• Exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling confidential information, sensitive issues, and communications that could impact the University's reputation.

Executive Messaging and Brand Voice

• University's strengths and achievements, explains presidential initiatives, addresses challenges candidly, and builds support for the University and its direction.
• Serve as primary writer of speeches, messages to campus, consequential correspondence, newsletters, guest articles, and other communications from the President.
• Research and verify examples, illustrations, and metrics so all presidential communications are accurate and credible
• Prepare the President and other University leaders to help them understand audiences they are addressing and questions that may arise.
• Expand the President's presence on social media to support the University and explain initiatives in an authentic, compelling voice.

Coordination with Other University Voices

• Develop and execute plans for informing key leaders, individuals, and audiences as major presidential decisions take shape.
• Frequently and consistently coordinate with the UNT System and with University Brand Strategy and Communications to ensure alignment among messages from the System, the University, and the President's Office.
• Provide the core narrative, key messages, and Q&A for presidential initiatives, and share them with other communications teams, who lead execution of initiative communications plans.