Director, Internal & Executive Communications

Stanford Graduate School of Business

Stanford's Graduate School of Business (GSB) has built a global reputation based on its immersive and innovative management programs. We provide students a transformative leadership experience, pushing the boundaries of knowledge with faculty research, and offering a portfolio of entrepreneurial and non-degree programs that deliver global impact. We invite you to be part of our mission of developing innovative, principled, and insightful leaders who change lives, change organizations, and change the world.

The Dean's office of Stanford GSB seeks a Director, Internal and Executive Communications. The Director will report to the Head of Dean's Communications and lead the execution of internal and executive communications in support of the Dean's priorities and the school's most critical initiatives. This role sits at the center of the GSB's most visible and high-impact work, partnering closely with senior leadership, faculty, and cross-functional teams to drive clarity, alignment, and engagement across the school.

The Director will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders and a key integrator across initiatives, ensuring communications are cohesive, timely, and aligned with the Dean's and the school's strategic direction. This role requires sound judgment, strong executive presence, and the ability to operate with discretion and integrity in high-stakes environments.

The GSB way, grounded in principled leadership, respect for diverse perspectives, and a commitment to excellence and impact, shapes and influences how we work. This role calls for a leader who brings sound judgment, collaborates effectively across stakeholders, and executes with both rigor and agility.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to shape how the GSB communicates its most important priorities, translating strategy into clear, compelling narratives that engage and inspire the community. You will operate at the highest levels of the organization, influence key decisions, and build systems and approaches that elevate the impact of leadership communications across the school.

Your primary responsibilities* include:

• Lead the execution of integrated internal and executive communications strategies in support of the Dean's priorities and school-wide initiatives, ensuring alignment with the GSB's mission and strategic direction.
• Translate strategic objectives into clear messaging frameworks, audience strategies, and coordinated communication plans across faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
• Drive cross-functional implementation by partnering with initiative and program leads, HR, and other stakeholders; ensure alignment on messaging, timelines, deliverables, and approvals.
• Ensure consistency, clarity, and quality across leadership and internal communications, including speeches, presentations, announcements, and key messaging.
• Develop and implement compelling approaches to communicate the school's priorities, innovations, and impact in ways that engage internal audiences and reflect the GSB's standard of excellence.
• Serve as a trusted communications advisor to senior leadership, providing counsel on messaging, positioning, and stakeholder engagement, and exercising sound judgment in complex or sensitive situations.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team; set direction, provide coaching and feedback, and foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Support crisis and issues communications, including rapid response for time-sensitive and high-impact situations affecting the school and its community.
• Partner with colleagues across the GSB and University Communications to ensure alignment with broader institutional priorities, messaging, and standards.
• Collaborate with media, digital, and publications teams to ensure internal and external narratives are aligned and mutually reinforcing.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of 8 years of experience in executive-level communications supporting senior leaders; 10+ years of experience across communications functions and audiences preferred.
• Experience in higher education or similarly complex, mission-driven organizations strongly preferred.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to produce clear, concise, high-impact materials under tight timelines.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information and translate it into accessible, compelling communications.
• Proven experience leading communications in dynamic environments, including periods of change, ambiguity, or organizational transformation.
• Strong executive presence with the ability to advise and influence senior leaders with credibility, confidence, and sound judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively across a wide range of stakeholders, reflecting the GSB's commitment to respect and inclusion.
• Creative and strategic thinker with a track record of developing innovative communications approaches and challenging conventional thinking.
• Proven people management experience, with the ability to build, grow, and retain high-performing teams.
• Strong project management and organizational skills; able to manage multiple priorities with precision and follow-through.
• High degree of integrity and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.

In addition, preferred requirements include:

• Advanced degree preferred.
• Experience supporting senior academic or executive leaders in complex organizations.
• Experience in crisis communications, issues management, or reputation management.
• Familiarity with higher education, research institutions, or similarly matrixed, complex environments.

The expected pay range for this position at 100% FTE is $150,735 to $190,000 per year.

Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of the salary or hourly wage the university reasonably expects to pay for a position upon hire. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford's extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Why Stanford is for you:

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

• Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a TedTalk, film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
• A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
• A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
• Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
• Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more!

How to Apply

We invite you to apply for this position by clicking on the "Apply for Job" button. To be considered, please submit a cover letter and resume along with your online application.

* The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classification and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned.