Senior Advisor to the President for Executive Communications, Office of the President

Company Description:

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), part of the State University of New York and an internationally renowned college of art, design, business and technology with a strong emphasis on liberal arts, invites nominations and applications for a Senior Advisor to the President for Executive Communications.

Job Description:

The Senior Advisor to the President for Executive Communications will serve as an integral member of the staff of the President of FIT. The incumbent must be an artful writer and skilled strategic communicator who can translate complicated concepts into clear, compelling language for delivery by the president. They will conceive, create, and edit a high volume of executive-level speeches, blogs, columns, articles, presentations, correspondence, and related communications in a clear and consistent voice to many diverse constituencies. They will serve as the President's Office liaison on collaborative writing projects with other offices in the College and ensure the accurate, appropriate, and prompt flow of information to and from the President's office in support of recurring and special projects. 

The Senior Advisor reports to and supports a highly visible and strongly engaged President, fulfilling a key role in ensuring the intentional and effective communication of the President's vision, priorities, interests, perspective, and style.  They are attuned to the College's context and those of the various communities that FIT engages with and serves.

Responsibilities and Essential Functions:

Written Communications

• Prepares compelling speeches, blogs, columns, presentations, correspondence, and other written communications of the highest quality for the FIT President.
• Tailors each communication for maximum audience appeal and impact, conducting research on audience expectations, event agenda, topics or remarks of other speakers, and physical space and audio/visual set-up.
• Provides counsel and feedback to the president on style and delivery of remarks.
• Performs content research and develops detailed speech outlines for executive approval.
• Ensures all executive communications projects are delivered on time  
• Debriefs with the president and/or senior staff and communications leadership following each presentation in order to achieve continuous improvement.
• Coordinates efforts to enhance the overall quality of all presidential communications. 

Strategic Marketing

• Synergizes written communications with the overall messaging strategy for the president and FIT, utilizing internal and external communication platforms to articulate goals and initiatives in a clear manner, reaching as wide an audience as possible.
• Works with other senior staff and university communications as requested with crafting messages for complex communication issues.
• Maintains current knowledge of peer institutions, current events, industry issues and trends, policy proposals, and changes in legislation in order to incorporate relevant information into presidential communications.

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position; other duties may be assigned consistent with the classification of the position.

Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 7-10 years of professional experience in the field of communications, speechwriting, journalism, or publishing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience as a high-level speechwriter
• Institutional knowledge of higher education, and preferably some knowledge of the creative industries i.e. fashion, design, retail.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to write well-researched, well-organized, and occasion-specific prose.
• Strong writing, editing, oral communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Project management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Mastery of speechwriting and presentations.

Additional Information:

Please note, all offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of the background check process.

Salary

The salary range for this role is $80,000- $100,000 per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Work Schedule

Days/Hours: M-F, 9am- 5pm, this is a remote-friendly position; may require occasional on-campus presence as needed. 

Benefits

The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) provides comprehensive employee benefit programs designed to help keep our faculty and staff and their families healthy, safe, happy, and productive. Our programs also include a variety of components to help our employees improve the quality and balance of their work and family lives, and to help them prepare for their futures.

• Retirement Plans
• Health Care Plan and Dental Plan
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Account
• Commuter Benefit Plan
• FIT Tuition Exemption Program
• Paid Time Off (Vacation, Personal, Sick and Holidays) 
• 4-day Summer Workweek

For a full list of FIT benefits, visit our benefits webpage.

Pay Equity by State Employers

Pursuant to Executive Order 161, no State entity, as defined by the Executive Order, is permitted to ask, or mandate, in any form, that an applicant for employment provide his or her current compensation, or any prior compensation history, until such time as the applicant is extended a conditional offer of employment with compensation. If such information has been requested from you before such time, please contact the Governor's Office of Employee Relations at (518) 474-6988 or via email at info@goer.ny.gov.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

FIT is firmly committed to creating an environment that will attract and retain people of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds. By providing a learning and working environment that encourages, utilizes, respects, and appreciates the full expression of every individual's ability, the FIT community fosters its mission and grows because of its rich, pluralistic experience. FIT is committed to prohibiting discrimination, whether based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, religion, ethnic background, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military service status, genetic information, pregnancy, familial status, citizenship status (except as required to comply with law), or any other criterion prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local laws. FIT is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment, including the opportunity for upward mobility for all qualified individuals. Applications from minorities, women, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged. Inquiries regarding FIT's non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX Coordinator, 212 217.3360, titleix@fitnyc.edu.   

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Requirements

This position will be required to constantly read and comprehend, occasionally perform calculations, constantly verbally communicate, frequently analyze, and constantly write. The working conditions for this position will be on campus, primarily in an office environment. The physical requirement for this position will require occasional sitting, constant standing, occasional bending, frequent walking, and occasional lifting 10 lbs. or less.

Application Instructions:

In order to be considered for the position, you must submit the following documents online:

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Unofficial Transcript
• A list of three references with telephone numbers and email addresses

Returning Applicants - Login to your FITNYC Careers Account to check your submitted application materials.

Review of applications will begin immediately until the position is filled. 

Please note that due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to contact each applicant individually regarding his or her application status.

Additional information about the Fashion Institute of Technology can be found at: http://www.fitnyc.edu.

Apply Online