Director, Executive Communications

About the role

SMU is data driven, and its powerful supercomputing ecosystem – paired with entrepreneurial drive – creates an unrivaled environment for the University to deliver research excellence. Now in its second century of achievement, SMU is recognized for the ways it supports students, faculty and alumni as they become ethical, enterprising leaders in their professions and communities.

As SMU advances its strategic plan and elevates its national profile, Marketing and Communications is evolving to operate more strategically, proactively, and in alignment with institutional priorities and the academic mission. The Director of Executive Communications leads the University’s executive communications function, developing speeches, remarks, correspondence, thought leadership, digital content, and major institutional messaging for the President, Executive Vice President and Provost, and other senior leaders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute communications strategies for the President, Executive Vice President and Provost, and other senior leaders.
• Oversee and develop speeches, remarks, presentations, correspondence, talking points, video scripts, op-eds and other executive communications materials.
• Oversee the strategic management and ongoing maintenance of the Office of the President and Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost web presence.
• Support communications related to SMU’s strategic priorities, including transformative teaching and programs, research that matters, athletic impact, exceptional experiences and principled leadership.
• Support executive preparation for media interviews, public appearances, and other high-profile engagements.
• Lead executive narrative development, thought leadership, and strategic messaging efforts that advance University priorities, reputation, and institutional visibility.
• Ensure consistency in executive voice, tone and institutional positioning across communications channels, including executive social media platforms.
• Support communications planning for major University initiatives, announcements, events and milestones.
• Identify opportunities to elevate executive visibility and showcase institutional accomplishments.
• Partner with Academic Affairs and leaders across the University to ensure coordinated communications and alignment on key messages.
• Manage executive communications workflows, priorities, timelines and approvals.
• Supervise the executive communications team, including the Associate Director for Strategic Communications and Executive Communications Social Media Manager.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree is required, preferably in Communications, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations or another related field. Master's is preferred. A minimum of eight (8) years of experience in executive communications, strategic communications, speech writing, journalism, public affairs or other related fields is required. A minimum of three (3) years of experience managing a communications team is required.

Skills

Candidate must demonstrate strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate broadly across the University and develop and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of constituencies. Candidate must have exceptional writing and editing skills with demonstrated ability to adapt tone and voice for senior leaders. Candidate must possess strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify and analyze problems, as well as devise solutions. Must also have strong planning, organizational, and time-management skills. A strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite is required.

Benefits

SMU offers staff a broad, competitive array of health and related benefits. In addition to traditional benefits such as health, dental, and vision plans, SMU offers a wide range of wellness programs to help attract, support, and retain our employees whose work continues to make SMU an outstanding education and research institution. SMU is committed to providing an array of retirement programs that benefit and protect you and your family throughout your working years at SMU and, if you meet SMU's retirement eligibility criteria, during your retirement years after you leave SMU. The value of learning at SMU isn't just about preparing our students for the future. Employees have access to a wide variety of professional and personal development opportunities, including tuition benefits.