Executive Communications Specialist

University of Vermont; Burlington (VT); On-site; USD 68,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Vermont is seeking an Executive Communications Specialist to serve as the principal writer for the President, shaping the voice across major addresses, announcements, correspondence, and digital content.

This role drafts remarks and talking points for senior leaders, ensures consistency with the university’s mission, and supports strategic plan messaging with a hybrid onsite arrangement when possible.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in executive communications, speechwriting, or senior editorial roles.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with strong attention to nuance, clarity, and accuracy; familiarity with AP style.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build productive relationships across diverse academic and administrative communities.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects under tight deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Serve as principal writer for the President's voice across platforms.
• Prepare remarks, talking points, and announcements for senior leaders.
• Translate executive vision into compelling narratives that support institutional goals.
• Ensure consistency and alignment of executive messaging with university communications.

Skills

Exceptional writing

Editing and proofreading

AP style familiarity

Interpersonal skills

Multitasking/Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications

Advanced degree in English, Journalism, or Communications

Job description

Key Responsibilities

Position Details Advertising/Posting Title Executive Communications Specialist Posting Summary

The Executive Communications Specialist serves as the principal writer and communications professional for the President of the University of Vermont, the state’s flagship public, land-grant research university. This role is responsible for crafting, refining, and stewarding the President’s voice across all platforms and audiences—ranging from major addresses and significant announcements to correspondence, digital presence, event materials, and institutional announcements and related messaging. The specialist will likewise prepare remarks, announcements, talking points, PowerPoint presentations and other communications on behalf of senior leaders including the Provost and the Vice President for Finance and Administration. Additionally, this position will support communications for the university’s strategic plan, translating executive vision into compelling narratives that build institutional alignment and engagement.

As an important point of connection between UVM’s leadership and the broader university community, this position ensures that all communications attributed to the President and other senior leaders clearly and authentically reflect strategic priorities, institutional values, and UVM’s mission of education, research, and public service. In supporting the rollout and ongoing momentum of the strategic plan, this role will build communications that connect day-to-day campus strategies and initiatives back to overarching vision of university leadership. The role ensures consistency, alignment, and strategic coherence between executive messaging and university-wide communications.

Executive Voice Mastery

Demonstrates a sophisticated ability to internalize and authentically represent the President’s voice, tone, and rhetorical style across a wide range of formats and audiences.

Strategic Communication

Thinks holistically and strategically about how presidential messages are received, what they signal to internal and external audiences, and how they advance UVM’s long-term institutional goals and public reputation.

Discretion & Confidentiality

Exercises sound judgment and the highest level of discretion when handling sensitive, confidential, or privileged information, maintaining the trust and confidence of the President, the Office of the President and executive leadership.

Organizational Excellence

Manages complex workflows, competing deadlines, and multiple stakeholders with efficiency, professionalism, and attention to detail.

Institutional Alignment

Understands and actively advances UVM’s mission, values, strategic priorities, and brand in all executive communications.

This position reports to the Executive Director of University Communications and serves as a part of the Strategic Communications central team, with a dotted line to the Chief of Staff and President’s Office operations.

This position is primarily onsite; however, a hybrid work arrangement may be considered based on departmental needs, position responsibilities, and the candidate’s relevant experience.

Minimum Qualifications (or Equivalent Combination Of Education And Experience)

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in executive communications, speechwriting, or senior editorial roles.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with strong attention to nuance, clarity, and accuracy; familiarity with AP style.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build productive relationships across diverse academic and administrative communities.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects under tight deadlines.

Desirable Qualifications

• Advanced degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or a related field.
• Experience in higher education—particularly at a public or land-grant institution—or in government or similarly complex environments.
• Experience working in a high-profile, confidential executive office environment.
• Familiarity with the culture, history, mission, and values of the University of Vermont.
• Background in brand stewardship, institutional identity, or reputation management.

Anticipated Pay Range

$68,000 to $75,000

Other Information Special Conditions

A probationary period may be required, Occasional evening and/or weekends required (if non-exempt position, may result in overtime), This position is eligible for a hybrid schedule with an option to split time between campus and elsewhere, in accordance with the university telecommuting policy, Background Check required for this position FLSA Exempt Union Position No

Posting Details

Position will be posted for a minimum of one week, after which it is subject to removal without notice.

Job Location

Burlington, Vermont, United States Job Open Date 08/13/2026 Job Close Date (Jobs close at 11:59 PM EST.) Open Until Filled No

Our Common Ground Statement

The University of Vermont is a welcoming, educationally purposeful community committed to creating an inclusive environment that embraces intellectual diversity and global perspectives. We seek to prepare students to be accountable leaders who will bring to their work a grasp of complexity, effective problem-solving and communication skills, and an enduring commitment to learning and ethical conduct. Members of the University of Vermont community embrace and advance the values of Our Common Ground: Respect, Integrity, Innovation, Openness, Justice, and Responsibility. Staff play a critical role in this effort and the successful candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to UVM’s mission and advancing Our Common Ground values through the execution of their job duties.

Position Information

Position Title Communcations Generalist PC2 X Posting Number S6262PO Department Office of Strategic Communicat/30570 Position Number 00027954 Percent of Full-Time 1.0 Standard Hours at 1.0 FTE 37.5 Term (months per year) 12

Supplemental Questions

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