Senior Director of Executive Communications, EVP/COO

About the Role

Loyola Marymount University (LMU) is seeking a strategic, experienced communications leader to serve as the Senior Director of Executive Communications for the EVP/COO. This position serves as the principal communications strategist and senior communications lead for the EVP/COO, working closely with senior leadership and LMU’s Marketing, Communications, and External Relations (MarComm) division. The Senior Director will act as a trusted strategic thought partner to the EVP/COO, helping shape, prioritize, and communicate the executive agenda supporting university administration, operations, organizational effectiveness, institutional reputation, and external engagement.

Responsibilities

• Executive Communications Strategy
  • Serve as the principal communications strategist and trusted advisor to the EVP/COO.
  • Develop communications strategies and roadmaps supporting key operational and organizational priorities.
  • Develop an executive visibility strategy, including speaking engagements, thought leadership, digital platforms, and other high-impact channels.
  • Translate executive priorities into clear communications objectives, integrated plans, editorial calendars, and measurable deliverables.
  • Anticipate communications needs related to complex, cross-functional, and high-visibility matters.
  • Exercise independent editorial and strategic judgment while appropriately escalating sensitive issues.
• Executive Writing & Content Development
  • Develop and maintain an authentic executive voice for the EVP/COO aligned with LMU’s mission, brand, and tone.
  • Research, write, edit, and finalize executive communications, including campus messages, leadership updates, speeches, remarks, correspondence, presentations, reports, FAQs, blog posts, and op-eds.
  • Develop executive digital and social media content and engagement strategies.
  • Translate complex operational, financial, policy, technical, risk, and organizational information into clear, compelling, audience-appropriate communications.
  • Maintain high standards for accuracy, tone, fact-checking, quality assurance, and editorial consistency.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Serve as the communications liaison between the Office of the EVP/COO and LMU’s MarComm division.
  • Partner with senior communications leaders supporting the President, Provost, and other university leaders to ensure cohesive institutional messaging.
  • Collaborate with leaders and subject matter experts across operations, finance, HR, IT, facilities, campus safety, auxiliary services, external relations, and other areas.
• Change & Issues Communications
  • Lead or support communications related to operational change, organizational transitions, complex institutional decisions, and other high-impact or time-sensitive developments.
  • Prepare message maps, stakeholder briefs, FAQs, scenario plans, and rapid-response materials for sensitive or reputationally significant matters.
  • Support issues management and, when needed, crisis or emergency communications planning and execution.
• Communications Innovation & AI
  • Integrate AI-enabled and emerging communications tools into research, synthesis, drafting, content development, analytics, and workflow management.
  • Build efficient, human-centered communications workflows that improve productivity, quality, and turnaround time.
  • Apply sound judgment regarding privacy, confidentiality, accuracy, accessibility, ethics, and institutional policies when using AI.
  • Use audience feedback and performance analytics to assess effectiveness and inform communications strategy.
  • Stay current on emerging executive communications practices, platforms, and AI-enabled productivity tools.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, English, marketing, or a related field; master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressively responsible communications experience, including substantial experience supporting C-suite, cabinet-level, presidential, provost-level, or other senior executive leadership in a complex organization.
• Exceptional executive writing, editing, storytelling, and strategic communications skills.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex operational, financial, policy, technical, or organizational information into clear and compelling communications.
• Experience developing integrated communications strategies and managing multiple high-visibility projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong executive presence, judgment, discretion, maturity, and professionalism when handling sensitive or confidential matters.
• Proven ability to influence across functions, build strong partnerships with senior leaders, and operate effectively without direct authority.
• Familiarity with communications analytics and measurement.
• Experience using AI tools and emerging communications technologies to improve efficiency, synthesis, drafting, content quality, or decision support.
• Experience in higher education or another mission-driven, reputation-sensitive, and operationally complex institution is preferred.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities, including occasional evening or weekend support as needed.

Why LMU?

This is an opportunity to join a collaborative communications team and play a critical role in helping a senior university executive communicate complex priorities with clarity, credibility, and purpose. Communications at LMU are viewed as a leadership discipline that builds clarity, trust, transparency, alignment, and institutional momentum.