Executive Strategic Communications Specialist - UMKC Chancellor's Office

University of Missouri-Kansas City; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 61,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Missouri-Kansas City seeks an experienced writer to produce executive communications for the Chancellor and leadership. The role focuses on speeches, scripts, talking points and emails across internal and external audiences.

You will craft compelling stories grounded in research, collaborate with the Chancellor and Marketing Communications, and adapt content for multiple channels while maintaining UMKC voice and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with 4+ years of experience.
• Bachelor's Degree in English, Journalism, Communications or related field with 3+ years of professional writing experience.
• Exceptional writer able to craft spoken, written and digital media content.
• Strong project management and time management skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools and Adobe Suite; familiarity with Box/SharePoint.
• Ability to research, gather and organize information from diverse sources.
• Strong interpersonal skills and attention to detail; receptive to feedback.

Responsibilities

• Write polished executive communications for the Chancellor and leadership.
• Develop speeches, scripts, talking points, newsletters and memos.
• Collaborate with communications team to ensure voice and messaging consistency.
• Edit materials to meet AP/UMKC style and quality standards.
• Analyze impact of communications and refine strategies as needed.

Skills

Strategic writing

Editing

Storytelling

Content verification

Interview synthesis

Team collaboration

Feedback handling

Education

Bachelor's degree in English/Journalism/Communications

Tools

MS Word

PowerPoint

Adobe Creative Suite

Instagram

Facebook

Box

SharePoint

Job description

Job Details

• Location: Kansas City
• Full-Time

Hiring Department

UMKC's Chancellor's Office and the Office of Strategic Marketing Communications

Job Description

UMKC is seeking a highly experienced and versatile writer to produce polished executive communications primarily for the Chancellor but also for other members of the executive leadership team. The Executive Strategic Communications Specialist will focus on a range of written materials and presentations for internal and external audiences. Speeches and scripts consume the majority of work hours, but there also will be talking points for meetings and events, digital emails, announcements, memos and other correspondence.
This individual will be housed in the Office of the Chancellor and will work very closely with the Vice Chancellor of Strategic Marketing and Communications in executing high level work in a fast-paced environment, learning the Chancellor's voice and preparing communications that strategically deliver key messages and information to campus and community.

The successful candidate will be a creative, inspiring writer who is naturally prolific, and - in drafting speeches - shows a knack for telling compelling stories that draw on rigorous research. This person should be a curious thinker, broad reader and quick writer who is comfortable working as part of a team, and who is also comfortable with a number of communications channels and technologies, including digital email and web writing.

The ideal candidate will have the following capabilities:

• Strategic focus: Demonstrated ability to create written product that meets strategic messaging goals for university, working closely with Vice Chancellor of Strategic Marketing and Communications to develop broad and targeted communications.
• Strong writing and editing: Write and edit high-level communication materials for Chancellor and other executive leaders for UMKC, including reports, talking points, certain newsletters, presentations, scripts, and briefing documents that reinforce our mission, goals, and priorities.
• Excellent skills in storytelling and synthesis. Distill information from interviews, meetings, documents and various sources to convey compelling messages that align with our mission, goals, and priorities.
• Strong practices in content verification and review. Adhere to current division of Strategic Marketing and Communications practices in place that include rigorous editing and review of content for quality, accuracy, AP style, UMKC style and other best practices as well as achieving goals for messaging and voice that are specific to executive communications. Further, executive communications must be well coordinated with overall university communications to achieve optimal impact.
• Analysis and goal setting: In partnership with other communication team members, create metrics and routinely analyze the impact of communication vehicles and messages, and refine as necessary.
  

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 4 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

Preferred Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree in English, Journalism, Communications or a closely related field and at least three years of professional writing experience, preferably in an academic environment is required.
• Exceptional, dedicated writer with the ability to write for the spoken word, written and digital media alike.
• Strong project management and time management skills including the ability to work quickly and creatively, sometimes under pressure when content needs to be developed in a tight timeframe.
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (especially Word and PowerPoint) and digital email tools as well as familiarity with Adobe Suite, social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook and editing in cloud-storage tools (Box, Sharepoint).
• Ability to research, collect, and organize information from diverse sources.
• Strong interpersonal skills including capacity to collaborate with others.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to adhere to stringent processes for editing and review of written material with key internal partners and coordination for staging cues and other relevant checks and balances.
• A capacity to respond receptively to feedback.
• Experience in a professional setting preferred.
  

Anticipated Hiring Range

The anticipated hiring range for this position has been established as $61,000 - $70,000 annually.

Salary is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the individual's particular combination of education, skills, and experience, as well as organizational requirements.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Missouri provides generous leave, health plans, and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Grade: 11 Salary Plan # GGS
University Title: STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT SR
To review the University of Missouri's Staff Compensation Structure you can view the Job Code detail page. Internal applicants can determine their university title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Deadline

Job posting will be open until filled. For best consideration apply by September 27, 2026.

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Community Information

Kansas City offers the best of both worlds-a vibrant, urban community with Midwestern appeal. The city's rich history and its modern-day, innovative thinking come together to create an eclectic group of neighborhoods that offer a little something for everyone. From thriving arts districts, an energetic downtown nightlife, casual to upscale shopping and champion sports teams, you will have no problem making yourself at home. Of course, one of Kansas City's biggest claims to fame is its food, especially its world-famous barbecue. Foodies will delight in the culinary scene found throughout the city. Ranging from award-winning chefs to cozy pizza joints, Kansas City definitely is not lacking any flavor.

UMKC's campuses are conveniently nestled in the middle of all the action. Volker Campus is just minutes from the legendary Country Club Plaza, perfect for shopping or restaurants for lunch or after-work happy hours. Surrounded by hip neighborhoods and eateries, the Health Sciences Campus is located downtown near University Health Truman Medical Center and Children's Mercy Hospital.

UMKC is proud to be "Kansas City's university," and the campus and its people celebrate all the characteristics of the surrounding community. To learn more about life in Kansas City and find more resources, visit VisitKC.com.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Office of Equity & Title IX at 816-235-6910.