Strategic Communications Writer

Newsletter Jobs; Northampton (MA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 109,000; Full time

Job summary

Smith College is seeking a Strategic Communications Writer to serve as the president’s principal writer and executive communications strategist. The role shapes the president’s voice across speeches, remarks, correspondence, opinion pieces, and campus communications to internal and external audiences.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Media Relations and Strategic Communications, you will work with senior leaders to ensure timely, accurate messaging aligned with institutional priorities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Political Science, Public Policy or a related field.
• 8 years of experience in executive communications, journalism, public affairs or a 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.
• Monitor higher education, public policy, and current events to identify emerging issues and opportunities that may affect presidential communications.
• Maintain an archive of presidential speeches and messaging resources to support consistency and institutional memory.

Skills

Executive communications

Speechwriting

Editing

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Communications/JournALism/English/Political Science/Public Policy or related field

Job description

Job Summary

The Strategic Communications Writer serves as Smith College's presidential writer and executive communications strategist. This position is responsible for shaping and articulating the voice of the president across speeches, remarks, correspondence, opinion pieces, campus communications, and other executive communications to internal and external audiences. Working at the intersection of strategy, leadership, and storytelling, the Strategic Communications Writer helps translate the president's vision, the college's priorities, and complex institutional issues into compelling communications that engage internal and external audiences and advance Smith's mission and reputation.

Reporting to the Senior Director of Media Relations and Strategic Communications, this position works in close partnership with the President and senior leaders across the college—including the Offices of the President, Advancement, Enrollment, Government Relations, and General Counsel—to ensure presidential communications are accurate, thoughtful, timely, and aligned with institutional priorities. This position identifies opportunities to advance institutional priorities and develops integrated messaging strategies that support the President’s leadership across multiple audiences and platforms.

Success in this role requires exceptional writing and editing skills, sound judgment, political acumen, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to synthesize complex information into persuasive narratives under tight deadlines. Through speeches, talking points, public remarks, and executive communications, this individual plays a central role in advancing the president's leadership and strengthening Smith College's relationships with students, faculty, staff, alums, donors, government officials, and other key stakeholders.

Take appropriate actions to support a diverse workforce and participate in the College's efforts to create a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming work environment.

Essential Functions

• 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 the Senior Director of Media Relations and Strategic Communications to ensure alignment between presidential communications, institutional messaging, and media strategy.
• Collaborate with Communications and Marketing colleagues and campus partners to identify opportunities to elevate the President's thought leadership and strengthen Smith's public profile.
• Advise the President and senior leaders on messaging strategy, framing, and communications approaches for significant institutional issues and initiatives. Develop messaging frameworks and key messages that support institutional priorities and can be adapted across multiple communications channels. Prepare the President for speeches, interviews, meetings, panels, and media opportunities through briefing materials and talking points.
• Monitor higher education, public policy, and current events to identify emerging issues and opportunities that may affect presidential communications.
• Maintain an archive of presidential speeches and messaging resources to support consistency and institutional memory. Evaluate the effectiveness of executive communications and recommend improvements based on audience feedback and institutional priorities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Required Qualifications (education, Experience, Certifications, Licenses, Knowledge, Skills)

• Bachelor's Degree in Communications, Journalism, English, Political Science, Public Policy or a related field
• 8 years of experience in executive communications, journalism, public affairs or a related field
• Demonstrated experience writing for senior executives or organizational leaders.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex projects with competing deadlines.

Skills

• Exceptional writing, editing, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex ideas into compelling narratives while maintaining a consistent executive voice.
• Strong political judgment, discretion, and ability to handle confidential information.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to build credibility and influence at all organizational levels.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education, government, philanthropy, or another complex mission-driven organization.
• Experience supporting presidents, CEOs, elected officials, or other highly visible leaders.
• Familiarity with AP Style and higher education communications.
• Experience developing communications around complex policy, governance, or institutional issues.
• Strategic thinker with strong editorial judgment and intellectual curiosity who quickly masters unfamiliar subjects.
• Ability to build trusted relationships with senior leaders and collaborate effectively across a decentralized organization.
• Demonstrated ability to write with warmth, wit, and emotional intelligence when appropriate.

Compensation

In addition to a competitive benefits package, annualized pay for this role is typically between $80,410.25 - $108,790.34 covering the middle half of market compensation. Actual compensation will vary based on individual qualifications and work schedule if less than full-time.

Position Type

Regular

About Smith College

Located in Northampton, MA, Smith College is one of the largest women’s colleges in the country and is dedicated to excellence in teaching and research across the liberal arts. A faculty of outstanding scholars interact with students in small classes, as advisors, and through student-faculty research projects. The College is a member of the Five College Consortium with Amherst, Hampshire and Mt. Holyoke Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Students cross-enroll and faculty cross-teach across the Five Colleges.

Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Massachusetts General Law, Chapter 151B, it is the policy of Smith College to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. If reasonable accommodation is needed, please contact our recruiting team at [e-mail].

As set forth in our mission and values, Smith College is committed to promoting a culture of equity and inclusion among students, staff and faculty. The College will not discriminate in employment on the basis of age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, genetic information, age, veteran status, physical or mental disability, or any other classification protected by law. Smith College is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all state and federal laws that prohibit discrimination.