Executive Strategic Communications Specialist - UMKC Chancellor's Office

About the role

UMKC is seeking a highly experienced and versatile writer to produce polished executive communications primarily for the Chancellor and other members of the executive leadership team. The Executive Strategic Communications Specialist will focus on a range of written materials and presentations for internal and external audiences, including speeches, scripts, talking points, digital emails, announcements, memos, and other correspondence. This individual will be housed in the Office of the Chancellor and will work closely with the Vice Chancellor of Strategic Marketing and Communications to execute high-level work in a fast-paced environment, learning the Chancellor’s voice and preparing communications that strategically deliver key messages and information to campus and community.

Responsibilities

• Draft and edit high-level communication materials for the Chancellor and other executive leaders, including reports, talking points, certain newsletters, presentations, scripts, and briefing documents that reinforce mission, goals, and priorities.
• Develop speeches and scripts that tell compelling stories grounded in rigorous research.
• Create talking points for meetings and events, digital emails, announcements, memos, and other correspondence.
• Collaborate with the Vice Chancellor of Strategic Marketing and Communications to align messaging with strategic goals and university priorities.
• Distill information from interviews, meetings, documents, and various sources to convey clear, compelling messages aligned with institutional objectives.
• Adhere to rigorous editing and review practices, including AP style, UMKC style, and division-specific standards for quality, accuracy, and voice.
• Coordinate executive communications with overall university communications to maximize impact.
• In partnership with the communications team, create metrics, analyze the impact of communication vehicles and messages, and refine strategies as needed.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience, and at least 4 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or a closely related field preferred.
• At least three years of professional writing experience, preferably in an academic environment.
• Exceptional ability to write for the spoken word, written media, and digital platforms.
• Strong project and time management skills, including the ability to work quickly and creatively under tight deadlines.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint) and digital email tools; familiarity with Adobe Suite, social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook), and cloud-storage editing tools (Box, SharePoint).
• Ability to research, collect, and organize information from diverse sources.
• Strong interpersonal skills and capacity to collaborate effectively with internal partners.
• Attention to detail and adherence to stringent editing and review processes.
• Capacity to respond receptively to feedback and coordinate staging cues and related checks and balances.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Retirement contributions and paid time off.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Paid parental and caregiver leave.
• Educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses.

Pay

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $61,000 – $70,000 annually. Salary is determined by education, skills, experience, and organizational requirements.