Director, Presidential Communications, Office of the President

The Director for Presidential Communications serves as the primary writer for presidential communications, speeches, media, and special projects. Reporting to the Chief of Staff in the Office of the President, this role will work directly with the President on the preparation of substantive, creative, occasion-specific and well-researched speeches, talking points and other communications from the President. The Director will work closely with the Vice President for Communications and will establish a communications program to meet the president’s objectives and strategic priorities. He/she/they must deeply engage in the University and local community to reflect, embrace, and project the University’s mission and values, including a passionate commitment to advancing diversity, inclusion, and belonging. The successful applicant will have a demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment with non-negotiable deadlines and to be comfortable operating independently and with a certain level of ambiguity. A genuine curiosity and enthusiasm for the work of the President, the University, and the City of Chicago will be essential to this role. 

 Responsibilities

• Researches and drafts speeches, messaging, and talking points tailored to the needs of the President and crafted to emphasize and disseminate the administration's key messages in the President's style and voice, and with primary responsibility for fact-checking.
• Develops speeches and written content of high stylistic quality, consistent tone and quality, and historical accuracy.
• Crafts and manages strategic messaging from the University’s President. Develops communication strategies that uphold and align with the President’s goals.
• Interprets the President’s perspective into compelling content and creative approaches for a variety of audiences.
• Translates complex concepts into clear, compelling language for audiences ranging from students, staff, faculty, and alumni to government agencies, partner institutions, and the local community.
• Works in close coordination with the Office of Communications to develop and enhance University communication approaches for the President, ensuring mutual alignment with institutional messages, themes, and priorities.
• Partners with various offices on campus including Alumni Relations and Development, academic units, the Provost’s Office, Office of the Executive Vice President, Office of Legal Counsel, Office of Civic Engagement, Office of Science, National Laboratories, Innovation, and Global Initiatives, Office of the Secretary, Admissions, and others to align presidential speaking engagements and written messages with the goals of units.
• Advises the President and other leaders on effective messaging and communication strategies on matters of importance.
• Collaborates closely with colleagues who manage Presidential correspondence on a day-to-day basis and crafts individual correspondence, letters, recommendations, and meeting notes as needed.
• Discreetly addresses sensitive and/or delicate assignments, exercising sound editorial discernment, and maintaining the trust and confidence of the President and senior leaders.
• Oversees President’s role in major announcements.
• Participates in the University’s crisis communications preparedness and response in the event of a crisis.
• Identifies and researches issues of high importance to the President and the strategic priorities of the University.
• Leads, determines, researches, verifies, writes and edits publications, which often includes technical/scientific material for manuals or journals.
• Uses expert knowledge of writing to write in-depth pieces relating to specialized field (e.g. scientific writing).
• Provides expertise in the design and planning of communications strategies.
• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications
 

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Preferred Qualifications

 Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism, English, or a related field.
• Advanced degree.

 Experience:

• Demonstrated experience in university leadership communications, journalism, or publishing; special consideration will be given to experience in high-level speech writing in a fast-paced, complex, high-stakes environment.
• Substantial experience envisioning, developing, and implementing a successful and comprehensive communications program.

Preferred Competencies

• A demonstrated ability to translate complex ideas into accessible narratives and messages for a variety of audiences.
• A deep and nuanced understanding of the issues facing higher education and a demonstrated respect for the particular dynamics of universities.
• Conduct research on a broad range of topics and incorporate research into various mediums.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate and forge productive and lasting relationships with internal and external stakeholders, with emphasis on developing and achieving shared goals.
• Excellent leadership skills with a demonstrated ability to lead through influence.
• Perform duties with the utmost discretion, tact, decorum, and diplomacy.
• Excellent decision-making skills; think conceptually, analytically, and remain focused on goals and objectives.

Working Conditions

• Attend meetings and functions in person, including on some weeknights and weekends.

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)
• Cover Letter (required)
• References Contact Information (3) (required)
• Writing Sample (1) (required)

Posting Statement
 

Employees must comply with the University’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements. More information about the requirements can be found on the University of Chicago Vaccination GoForward.

The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.

Staff Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-5800 or submit a request via Applicant Inquiry Form.

 We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages a diversity of perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange.

 All offers of employment are contingent upon a background check that includes a review of conviction history.  A conviction does not automatically preclude University employment.  Rather, the University considers conviction information on a case-by-case basis and assesses the nature of the offense, the circumstances surrounding it, the proximity in time of the conviction, and its relevance to the position.

The University of Chicago's Annual Security & Fire Safety Report (Report) provides information about University offices and programs that provide safety support, crime and fire statistics, emergency response and communications plans, and other policies and information. The Report can be accessed online at: http://securityreport.uchicago.edu. Paper copies of the Report are available, upon request, from the University of Chicago Police Department, 850 E. 61st Street, Chicago, IL 60637.