Chief Communications Officer

About The Department

The Office of the President supports the work of President Paul Alivisatos, providing leadership, coordination, and administrative support to strategic initiatives, programs, and activities that advance the mission and eminence of the University of Chicago. The Office also undertakes a broad range of activities that support the ongoing work of the president.

Information about the Office of the President is available here.

Job Information

Job Summary: The University of Chicago, a global leader in research and education, seeks a mission-aligned, strategic, and engaged leader to serve as the Chief Communications Officer. This is a critical time for higher education, and this position offers a significant opportunity to be part of a dynamic leadership team that advances the University of Chicago as a premier institution for research and education into the future.

Responsibilities:

• Advise the University’s President and other senior officers on a broad range of internal and external communications, both proactive and reactive.
• Drive the development of proactive strategic communications plans on matters of institutional importance; working with deans, faculty, and other University leaders to develop and execute on plans over a sustained period of time while measuring impact and adjusting plans as needed.
• Reach and build relevant audiences leveraging all elements of the University's communications capacity, including media relations, public affairs, and branding; the University's news office and internal communications; the University's creative communications group; and the design and content of the University's website.
• Create and cultivate pathways for UChicago expertise to contribute to national conversations, whether in economics, international affairs, the arts, biomedical science, artificial intelligence, and beyond.
• Monitor scholarly activities across the University and identify progress, breakthroughs, and achievements to surface through various communications platforms for academic and general audiences.
• Lead teams to develop and execute on plans to tell the stories of the University in creative and connected ways so that the stories of the University reach important audiences in different areas, including locally in Chicago.
• Innovate and be willing to try new things. Authentically champion the distinctive voice of the University of Chicago in ways that are credible internally and externally.
• Collaborate with the Office of the President to support opportunities for presidential communications that advance institutional priorities.
• Serve as a steward of the brand, ensuring consistent application of standards across a complex organization.
• Serve as primary leader and advisor on issues management, leading crisis communications, and providing strategic advice and guidance on brand and reputational risk.
• Work closely with academic deans and officers to coordinate and integrate communications across the University, including advancement activities, alumni and community engagement, institutional partnerships, and the recruitment of students, faculty, and staff.
• Inspire, lead, and mobilize a team of 30+ professionals in the central communications office as a key strategic partner to leaders and initiatives around campus.
• Guide another network of 200+ campus communicators who report into units around campus, enhancing the opportunity for University-wide communications and engagement that is strategic and impactful.
• Collaborate with external partners and associations across higher education on shared interests.
• Identify challenges and emerging issues faced by the organization. Work with University leadership and staff to recognize internal and external communications opportunities and solutions, and define and execute appropriate strategies to support them.
• Provide strategic alignment across the University by collaborating with campus partners to advance the University’s position with relevant constituencies and targeted audiences.
• Serve as a spokesperson on media and constituency interactions that promote and/or impact the organization.
• Oversee the day-to-day activities of the communications function, including budgeting, planning, and staff development.

Competencies

• Ability to understand, distill, and convey complex information to a wide range of audiences.
• Demonstrated expertise in issues and reputation management, including advising executive leadership during high stakes situations.
• Energy and enthusiasm for meaningful storytelling that engages audiences and drives impact.
• An established record of effective leadership of a dynamic enterprise within an organization with diverse and complex constituencies.
• Absorb and apply new knowledge quickly.
• Collaborate effectively with others to achieve common goals.
• Communicate clearly and persuasively, both orally and in writing.
• Develop and deliver presentations that engage and inform.
• Make sound judgments and decisions.
• Manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Oversee and manage budgets.
• Plan, organize, and implement programs.
• Provide constructive feedback.
• Set clear expectations and hold others accountable.
• Use technology effectively.

Education, Experience, or Certifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• Knowledge and skills developed through 15+ years of work experience in a related job discipline required.
• A record of exceptional leadership success and demonstrated scholarly, professional, or creative achievement required.
• Diverse background with experience across a variety of industry sectors, including higher education, government, early-stage companies, established companies, non-profit organizations preferred.
• An established record of effective leadership of a dynamic enterprise within an organization with diverse and complex constituencies required.
• Experience working across public and private entities, including experience with government offices and insight into the University’s positioning within a political context preferred.