Director of Communications, Office of the President

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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• 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.

• 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.

• Master's degree preferred.

Office of Talent Acquisition

talent@arizona.edu

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.