Director of Communications, Office of the President

Director of Communications, Office of the President

Company:
The University of Arizona

Job Location:
Tucson, 85724

Category:
Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs

Type:
Full-Time

Posting Number: req25494

Department: Office of the President

Location: Tucson Campus

Address: Tucson, AZ USA

Position Highlights

The Director of Communications to the President is a senior strategic professional responsible for shaping and executing the President's communications in support of a public, land-grant, AAU institution. This role supports clear, consistent communications of the President's priorities across internal and external audiences, operating in close partnership with the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer (CCMO), a direct report to the President. The Director of Communications focuses on executive communications and presidential messaging, including internal and external communications, social media, event preparation and speech writing, and other needs as determined by the President and/or Chief of Staff. Responsibilities will also include coordinating closely with senior leadership to ensure alignment with institutional voice, brand, and communications priorities; managing collaborative work with other university units; supervising other communications professionals in the Office of the President; and developing and maintaining systems and processes to manage inbound and outbound communications. The Director of Communication to the President is a position that requires flexibility to work outside traditional business hours, including evenings or weekends, to meet operational and organizational needs.

Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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Duties & Responsibilities

• Leads planning and oversees execution of strategic communications, internal communications, social media, event preparation and speech writing, and executive correspondence for the Office of the President and in support of the President. This includes developing, researching, writing, editing, and publishing strategic communications and other materials, including visual elements and video.
• Develops communications policies and procedures, and implements, and maintains operational plans, programs, and systems to ensure effective communications and related operations in the Office of the President, analyzing and addressing challenges that arise. Includes oversight for triaging and routing of inbound correspondence sent to the President, managing and delegating questions and issues that arise.
• Collaborates on presidential communications priorities, protocols, and strategies with the Chief Communications and Marketing Officer and other members of senior leadership. Advises the President and Chief of Staff on communications strategies and tactics, to ensure alignment with presidential and university priorities.
• Supervises professional communications and administrative staff assigned to the communications team in the Office of the President.
• Advises and works collaboratively with the Chief of Staff, the President, and senior leadership on planning, speech writing, and other preparation for major university ceremonies and public events, including Commencement, faculty, staff, student, and other stakeholder recognitions or ceremonies, and press briefings.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Demonstrated capacity and experience for maintaining a high level of discretion and professionalism.
• Strong strategic judgment and political acumen, along with demonstrated excellence in writing, editing, and proofreading with exceptional editorial abilities.
• Knowledge of and experience using mass email, social media, and other communications management tools at a high level, including design and implementation of processes and best practices, as well as oversight of visual content production (photo and video).
• Experience at a public research university or similarly complex organization, including working in partnership with or supporting executive or college/division-level leadership.
• Highly collaborative and relationship builder, with the ability to influence without direct authority, working across units with complex lines of responsibility and accountability.
• Broad knowledge and expertise in the principles, practices, and theories of communications, writing, speech writing, and rhetoric.
• Commitment to higher education, research excellence, and the land-grant mission.

Minimum Qualifications

• 9+ years of relevant experience, including 5 years supervisory experience leading a functional team.
• Bachelor's degree in communications, English, journalism, or closely related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree preferred.

FLSA: Exempt

Full Time/Part Time: Full Time

Number of Hours Worked per Week: 40

Job FTE: 1.0

Work Calendar: Fiscal

Job Category: Communication and Marketing

Benefits Eligible: Yes - Full Benefits

Rate of Pay: DOE

Compensation Type: salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)

Type of criminal background check required: Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)

Number of Vacancies: 1

Contact Information for Candidates
Office of Talent Acquisition
talent@arizona.edu

Open Until Filled: Yes

Documents Needed to Apply: Resume, Cover Letter, and One Additional Document

Special Instructions to Applicant

Additional Document Required to Apply - Writing sample request:
As part of our review process, we ask candidates to submit 3-4 writing samples that demonstrate experience with executive communications.
Please include:
• A speech or formal remarks written for a senior leader
• A strategic or internal communication (e.g., campus-wide message, executive memo, or complex/sensitive announcement)
• An example of executive correspondence or short-form content (e.g., email, newsletter, or social media)
• Optional: an edited writing sample with brief context on your role
For each sample, please include 1-2 sentences describing your role in developing the content. If materials are confidential, you may redact identifying details.