Director of Presidential Engagement

Position Description

Job Category
Fulltime Regular

ExemptOvertimeEligible
Exempt

Benefits Eligible
Benefit Based

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Caltech is a world-renowned science and engineering institute that marshals some of the world's brightest minds and most innovative tools to address fundamental scientific questions. We thrive on finding and cultivating talented people who are passionate about what they do. Join us and be a part of the diverse Caltech community.

Job Summary

The Director of Presidential Engagement is responsible for shaping and advancing executive communications and engagement strategies that further Caltech’s mission and strategic priorities. This role serves as a principal communications advisor, writer, and thought partner to the President-elect, stewarding the President-elect’s voice across consequential institutional moments and providing strategic counsel on messaging, institutional positioning, and stakeholder engagement across a broad range of internal and external audiences. This role supports the alignment of presidential communications and engagement with Caltech’s mission, values, and strategic direction, advancing the Institute’s reputation and influence.

The Director of Presidential Engagement connects strategy and execution, using discernment in a complex environment. This role collaborates across the Institute with academic leadership, faculty, students, and various offices to ensure presidential communications and engagements are coordinated, strategically aligned, and impactful.

Essential Job Duties

Presidential Communications

• Serve as a senior communications advisor to the President-elect, shaping the narrative, framing, and substance of various presidential messages and communications across internal and external audiences and diverse platforms.
• Work with the President-elect and senior staff to prepare compelling speeches, keynote remarks, community messages, statements, presentations, and other high-profile communications with institutional significance and reputational impact.
• Support the President-elect to develop, draft, and refine major writing projects, including long-form and substantive pieces.
• Provide leadership-level counsel during crises and other sensitive matters, serving on the President-elect’s issues management team, shaping statements and engagement efforts and other rapid-response strategies during sensitive, high-profile moments.
• Help with presidential correspondence, as needed and appropriate.
• Prepare the President-elect for public engagements, including internal and external events and appearances with comprehensive, well-vetted briefing materials and tailored messaging guidance.
• In collaboration with Communications and External Relations, cultivate strong relationships with faculty and subject matter experts to enhance executive communications and promote Caltech’s research and impact.
• Screen, engage, and manage work performed by external third-party vendors as and when needed to support executive communications objectives.

Presidential Engagement

• Partner with the President-elect to develop and maintain a forward-looking presidential engagement strategy and roadmap that reinforces the Institute’s mission.
• Advise on the prioritization and selection of internal and external engagements, assessing institutional impact, reputational considerations, and alignment with presidential objectives.
• Collaborate with Communications and External Relations and other senior leaders on the planning and execution of major events involving the President-elect, shaping the messaging, content, and positioning.
• In partnership with the Office of Communications and External Relations, identify external engagement opportunities for the President-elect that strengthen Caltech’s influence and reputation.
• Act as a strategic partner to leadership to enhance presidential engagements, strengthen community relationships, and advance institutional goals.

Leadership Support and Special Projects

• Translate complex strategic priorities into clear, compelling narrative frameworks and public engagement strategies that resonate within and beyond the Institute.
• Provide strategic and operational support for select initiatives and special projects.
• Play a lead role in the communications and stakeholder engagement planning for presidential initiatives and special projects.
• Support and staff the President-elect at institutional events, meetings, and engagements as necessary, including periodic travel.
• Other duties as assigned.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public policy, higher education administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in executive communications, strategic communications, public affairs, or a related field, including experience advising senior leaders.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a principal writer and strategic communications advisor to executive-level leadership in a complex organization.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and narrative development skills, with a portfolio demonstrating high-level speechwriting and executive communications.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and political acuity in highly visible and sensitive environments.
• Experience developing and implementing comprehensive communications strategies aligned with institutional priorities.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrated experience supervising staff and/or managing external vendors.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build collaborative relationships across diverse constituencies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in communications, public affairs, higher education, public policy, or related discipline.
• Experience in higher education, research institutions, science and technology organizations, or similarly complex mission-driven environments.
• Familiarity with the national higher education landscape.
• Experience supporting communications during crisis or issues management situations.
• Experience working with governing boards, trustees, or senior institutional leadership.
• Demonstrated experience integrating executive engagement strategy with advancement, external relations, or government relations functions.
• Experience operating in organizations with national or global visibility.

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter

Hiring Range

$210,000 - $220,000 per year

The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training.

As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick time, parental leave, bereavement, etc.), tuition reimbursement, and more. Non-benefit eligible employees will have access to some benefits such as onsite counseling and sick time. Learn more about our benefits and staff perks.