Presidential Speechwriter & Executive Communications Lead

Smith College; United States; On-site; USD 80,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

Smith College seeks a Strategic Communications Writer to serve as the president's writer and executive communications strategist. The role shapes the President's voice across speeches, remarks, correspondence, and campus communications to engage diverse audiences and advance the college's mission.

Working with senior leaders, you translate priorities into clear messaging, maintain confidentiality, and help elevate thought leadership across platforms, ensuring timely, accurate, and authentic

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, English, political science, public policy or related field.
• 8 years of experience in executive communications, journalism, public affairs or related field.
• Demonstrated experience writing for senior executives or organizational leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects with competing deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary communications writer for the President, developing speeches, remarks, correspondence, talking points, opinion pieces, and other executive communications.
• Translate complex institutional priorities, policies, and strategic initiatives into clear, compelling communications for diverse audiences.
• Ensure consistency and authenticity of the President's voice across all communications and public appearances.
• Conduct research, interviews, and background preparation to ensure executive communications are accurate, nuanced, and well-informed.
• Work with the presidential speech and writing calendar, coordinating research, review, revisions, approvals, and logistics while maintaining strict confidentiality.
• Work closely with leadership to ensure alignment between presidential communications, institutional messaging, and media strategy.
• Collaborate with Communications and Marketing colleagues to elevate the President's thought leadership and Smith's public profile.
• Advise the President and senior leaders on messaging strategy, framing, and communications approaches for significant institutional issues.
• Develop messaging frameworks and key messages that support institutional priorities across channels.
• Prepare the President for speeches, interviews, meetings, panels, and media opportunities through briefing materials.
• Monitor higher education, public policy, and current events to identify emerging issues affecting presidential communications.
• Maintain an archive of presidential speeches and messaging resources for consistency.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of executive communications and recommend improvements.

Skills

Executive writing

Speech writing

Editing

Strategic communications

Research interviewing

Confidentiality

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Political Science, Public Policy or a related field

Tools

AP Style

Public affairs

Job description

Smith College seeks a Strategic Communications Writer to serve as the president's writer and executive communications strategist. The role shapes the President's voice across speeches, remarks, correspondence, and campus communications to engage diverse audiences and advance the college's mission.

Working with senior leaders, you translate priorities into clear messaging, maintain confidentiality, and help elevate thought leadership across platforms, ensuring timely, accurate, and authentic