Senior Director of Executive Engagement

American University; Spartanburg (SC); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

American University seeks a Senior Director of Executive Engagement to partner with the General Manager and senior leadership to develop and execute executive engagement and messaging strategies. The role provides strategic advice, leads communications, and coordinates governance and external engagements, strengthening the GM’s influence and effectiveness across audiences.

Responsibilities include preparing briefing materials, guiding stakeholder engagement plans, and supervising the GM’s Senior

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with 8–10 years of relevant experience.
• Master's degree preferred; strong experience in executive communications and stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Develop executive messaging strategies that support the GM’s priorities and organizational objectives.
• Lead executive communications, stakeholder engagement, governance support, and high-profile institutional engagements.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the GM, guiding communications and engagement approaches across internal and external audiences.
• Oversee the GM’s Senior Executive Assistant and coordinate priorities across the Office of the General Manager.

Skills

Executive communications

Stakeholder engagement

Governance support

Strategic advisory

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Summary

American University is a student-centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world. WAMU 88.5 is a public media station owned and operated by American University. WAMU is the source for local, regional and NPR news and original programs in Washington DC. Since 1961, WAMU has been amplifying voices and sharing stories from the many neighborhoods and communities in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia. The Senior Director of Executive Engagement partners with the General Manager and senior leadership to develop and execute executive engagement and messaging strategies that strengthen the GM’s effectiveness and influence across internal and external audiences. This role serves as a trusted strategic advisor to the GM, leading executive communications, stakeholder engagement, governance support, and high profile institutional engagements. The position ensures a coordinated and strategic approach to executive relationships and communications, manages the GM’s Executive Assistant and may lead additional staff, serving as a trusted advisor and connector across the organization.

Essential Functions

1) Strategic Communications

Develop executive messaging strategies and communication frameworks that support the General Manager’s priorities and organizational objectives. Develop and oversee drafting of speeches, op-eds, and executive correspondence, presentations, talking points and briefing materials. Ensure consistency and alignment of executive communications with organizational priorities and institutional messaging. Collaborate with Advancement on executive communications supporting major donor communication and relationship management. Collaborate with Marketing to position the GM as a thought leader and representative of WAMU and public media. Partner with Communications, Marketing and Advancement to ensure coordinated executive messaging across internal and external audiences. Support strategic partnerships and manage external executive speaking engagements. Prepare the General Manager and other senior leaders, as appropriate, for impactful representation of the WAMU brand at external engagements, interviews, and public appearances.

2) Executive Engagement & Stakeholder Management

Develop and execute strategies that strengthen the General Manager’s engagement with the Board of Advisors, Community Council, American University leadership, Trustees, donors, community leaders, and external industry partners. Develop executive engagement strategies that prepare the GM for high impact interactions with internal and external stakeholders. Develop messaging and engagement plans for executive led forums, including All Staff meetings, to effectively communicate organizational priorities and foster transparency. Advise the GM on executive communications and stakeholder engagement approaches that align with organizational priorities. Lead preparation for the General Manager’s participation in high impact internal and external engagements, including briefing materials, messaging, and stakeholder strategies. Develop and maintain executive stakeholder engagement plans and relationship maps for AU leadership, Trustees, the Board of Advisors, Community Council, donors, and other key constituents. Represent the GM in select external interactions, as appropriate.

3) Board Relations & Governance

Serve as the General Manager’s strategic advisor on Board engagement, shaping meeting objectives, discussion topics, and communications to strengthen relationships with the Board of Advisors, Community Council, and American University Trustees. Manage the cadence of Board communications, reporting and governance activities between meetings ensuring timely preparation of materials and follow up on Board actions. Lead development and coordination of Board and committee agendas, briefing materials, presentations, reports, and meeting documentation. Ensure timely and accurate reporting aligned with governance standards and Board reporting requirements. Coordinate delivery of any WAMU materials as needed by AU Trustees, the Board of Advisors, and Community Council. Oversee planning and execution of Board meetings, retreats, and other Board related events, including preparation of executive agendas, briefing materials, and stakeholder communications.

4) Team Leadership & Operations

Manage the GM’s Senior Executive Assistant. Set priorities, coach for performance, and ensure seamless executive support. Partner with senior leaders to coordinate executive priorities, facilitate follow through on General Manager commitments, and ensure alignment across the Office of the GM and organizational goals. Supervisory Responsibility: Supervises the Senior Executive Assistant.

Position Details

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work: Full-time. 35 hours per week. Hybrid work modality (3 - 4 days per week in office). Salary Range: $140,000.00 - $155,000.00 annually.

Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree or equivalent. 8 - 10 years of relevant experience. Preferred Education and Experience: Master's degree. 10+ years of relevant experience. Additional Eligibility Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in communications, Business Administration, or related field; advanced degree preferred. 8 - 10 years of experience in executive communications, stakeholder engagement, or strategic operations. Demonstrated ability to lead projects and people while influencing senior stakeholders. Exceptional writing, presentation, and relationship management abilities (strong interpersonal skills). Strong strategic thinking combined with operational execution skills (ability to identify trends and patterns and connect dots).

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Benefits

AU offers a competitive benefits package. Click here to learn about American University's unique benefit options.

Other Details

Hiring offers for this position are contingent on successful completion of a background check. Employees in staff positions at American University must deliver their services to the university from either the District of Columbia, Maryland, or Virginia, or perform work on-site at the university. American University is an E-Verify employer. Current American University Employees must apply through their employee Workday account. If you are a current employee at American University, please log into Workday and select the Find Jobs report which will take you to our internal career listings.

Contact Us

For more information or assistance with the American University careers site, email [e-mail].

Equal Opportunity Statement

American University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution that operates in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. The university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy), age, sexual orientation, disability, marital status, personal appearance, gender identity and expression, family responsibilities, political affiliation, source of income, veteran status, an individual’s genetic information or any other bases under federal or local laws (collectively "Protected Bases") in its programs and activities.

About American University

American University is a student centered research institution located in Washington, DC, with highly-ranked schools and colleges, internationally-renowned faculty, and a reputation for creating meaningful change in the world.