Associate Director, Executive Communications

Associate Director, Executive Communications

Stanford University - Stanford, CA 94305

Within the Office of Public Affairs, University Communications provides support and campus leadership in planning, coordination and implementing strategic communication programs that support Stanford University and its missions. University Communications is responsible for brand positioning and strategy; issues and reputation management; crisis communications; oversight of digital content and top level web and social media platforms; media relations and news services; presidential and provostial communications with the public, media and other constituencies (including all speeches); internal communication to faculty and staff; parent communications programs, major publications; and encompasses a campus video production studio and video production group. University Communications coordinates with communications professionals across the university on communications issues and projects, provides leadership to the Communications Working Group and advises on communications policy with senior executive staff.

The Associate Director, Executive Communications reports to the Associate Vice President, Strategic Communications and plans, coordinates and develops presidential speeches and a range of other executive communications for the public, the university community and other constituencies. The position also researches, writes and edits other communications and special assignments in support of the senior administration of the university, including the Stanford Board of Trustees. The position is responsible for providing consultation to campus constituencies on executive communications and for working with departments and schools across campus to identify content. This position serves as a communications liaison between the Office of the President and various internal communications groups.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

Developing, executing and managing written communications for the president – including speeches, talking points, magazine columns, correspondence, opinion pieces and quotes – that:

articulate the goals and vision of the president in a way that is understandable and meaningful to various constituencies and that reflect the president’s voice;

demonstrate understanding of a wide variety of audiences;

identify and research key information, messages and topics; and

clearly and credibly communicate a diverse array of topics.

Serving as a thought partner with the leadership of University Communications in developing strategy for speeches and other presidential communications.

Anticipating issues, needs and problems, consulting with others before developing a plan to address them.

Providing, upon assignment, written communications and editing for special projects supporting senior administration and the Board of Trustees.

Collaborating with various departments and schools across campus to identify and gather content for executive communications.

Responding to deadline-driven requests, developing, managing and coordinating activities to ensure successful and timely completion of projects and assignments.

Managing institutional knowledge and consistency of messaging through changes in personnel, organization and development campaigns.

Coordinating interaction about communications between internal departments and the Office of the President, ensuring that protocols are followed to assure content quality.

Qualifications MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Bachelor’s degree and at least seven (7) years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES REQUIRED:

Possess excellent written communications skills and demonstrated ability to write in a manner which will persuade, influence or lead others.

Possess outstanding research and analytical skills, as well as skills in conceptual editing, copy editing and proof reading.

Ability to maintain confidentiality, discretion and tact on sensitive issues and in interactions with university administration.

Experience in analyzing a wide range of situations and using sound professional judgment.

Demonstrated ability to work independently and to meet deadlines while balancing multiple demanding assignments.

Exceptional organizational skills needed to track and manage large numbers of writing projects at various stages of development.

Possess sufficient experience to be well-regarded across campus and to work effectively with a wide range of campus constituencies, including the president, the provost and their administrative staff; chair and other members of the Board of Trustees; vice presidents, deans, faculty members, students, donors and alumni.

Ability to work collaboratively with internal communications groups across campus.

Demonstrated interpersonal skills in working with a variety of people to gather information for executive communications and to balance varying perspectives and input.

Ability to apply a thorough knowledge of the principles and concepts of a number of topical yet unrelated fields of expertise along with the ability to communicate often highly technical information in a manner easy to understand.

Certifications and Licenses:

None

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.

Frequently stand/walk, sit, use a telephone, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, speaking.

Occasionally grasp forcefully, writing by hand.

Rarely sort/file paperwork.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the university will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Occasional work on evenings and weekends.

On call and ability to respond 24/7.

WORK STANDARDS:

Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrates the ability to work well with Stanford colleagues and clients and with external organizations.

Promote Culture of Safety: Demonstrates commitment to personal responsibility and value for safety; communicates safety concerns; uses and promotes safe behaviors based on training and lessons learned.

Subject to and expected to comply with all applicable university policies and procedures, including but not limited to the personnel policies and other policies found in the university’s Administrative Guide, http://adminguide.stanford.edu.

Stanford is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

Job : Communications Location : Office of Public Affairs Schedule : Full-time Grade: K Job Code: 4264