Senior Writer, Executive Communications

The University of Texas at Austin; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Texas at Austin seeks a Senior Writer in Executive Communications to serve as the primary executive writer for EVPP, developing speeches, campus messages, and web content that advance university priorities and support senior leadership.

The role collaborates with UMAC to translate complex initiatives into accessible, strategic messaging, ensuring consistency with institutional voice and brand across audiences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework in English, communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, or related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional writing, editorial, executive communications, public relations, or strategic communications experience.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to adapt tone and style for executive audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information into clear, accurate, and compelling communications for diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational, project management, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Research, write, and edit speeches, talking points, presentations, campus-wide messages, video scripts, website content, op-eds, reports, and other executive communications for the Executive Vice President and Provost and other senior academic leaders.
• Translate complex academic, research, and institutional initiatives into compelling communications tailored to a variety of internal and external audiences.
• Develop messaging that advances university priorities while maintaining consistency with institutional voice, brand, and strategic objectives.

Skills

Five years of professional writing/ed.

Exceptional writing/editing skills

Synthesize complex information

Strong organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in English/related field

Tools

WordPress

Drupal

CMS experience

Asana

MS SharePoint/editorial planning tools

Job description

Purpose

The Senior Writer serves as the primary executive writer for the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost (EVPP). Reporting to the Director of Executive and Academic Communications in University Marketing and Communications (UMAC), this position develops speeches, presentations, campus communications, web content, and other strategic messaging that advances university priorities and supports senior academic leadership.

Job Posting Title

Senior Writer, Executive Communications

Hiring Department

University Marketing and Communications

Position Open To

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours

40

FLSA Status

Exempt from FLSA

Earliest Start Date

Immediately

Position Duration

Expected to Continue

Location

UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details

The Senior Writer serves as the primary executive writer for the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost (EVPP). Reporting to the Director of Executive and Academic Communications in University Marketing and Communications (UMAC), this position develops speeches, presentations, campus communications, web content, and other strategic messaging that advances university priorities and supports senior academic leadership.

General Notes

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis for any employer without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

Executive Writing and Strategic Communications

Research, write, and edit speeches, talking points, presentations, campus-wide messages, video scripts, website content, op-eds, reports, and other executive communications for the Executive Vice President and Provost and other senior academic leaders. Translate complex academic, research, and institutional initiatives into compelling communications tailored to a variety of internal and external audiences. Develop messaging that advances university priorities while maintaining consistency with institutional voice, brand, and strategic objectives.

Content Development and Collaboration

Collaborate with academic and administrative units to identify stories, gather information, conduct interviews, and research institutional data to support executive communications. Build strong relationships with subject matter experts and campus partners to ensure communications are accurate, timely, and reflect institutional priorities. Support writing projects across the academic portfolio, including executive web content and strategic communications initiatives.

Editorial Coordination and Workflow Management

Coordinate review, revision, and approval processes for executive communications, ensuring appropriate stakeholder input and timely delivery. Manage multiple concurrent writing projects and deadlines while maintaining high editorial standards. Assist in coordinating the distribution of executive communications and campus-wide messaging in collaboration with UMAC, the Office of the President, and EVPP leadership.

Other related functions as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework in English, communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, or related field.
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible professional writing, editorial, executive communications, public relations, or strategic communications experience.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to adapt tone and style for executive audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information into clear, accurate, and compelling communications for diverse audiences.
• Strong organizational, project management, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.

Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency with mass mailing platforms such as Emma, Mailchimp, or Constant Contact.
• Knowledge of ethical AI use in communication and/or experience using AI to streamline workflows.
• Experience in higher education communications.
• Experience with CMS such as WordPress and Drupal.
• Proficiency with project management platforms (e.g., Asana) and editorial planning tools (e.g., MS SharePoint, content calendars, scheduling software).
• Experience creating and managing email campaigns.

Salary Range

$70,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

This position is based in Austin, TX on the UT Main Campus. May work around standard office conditions. Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation. Extended evening or weekend work may be required on rare occasions.

Required Materials

• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; at least one reference should be from a supervisor
• Letter of interest

Employment Eligibility

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English and Spanish) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right to Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.