Job Description for the Senior Director of Presidential Communications position. Review job description, requirements, and qualifications. Apply or register interest for the position.

Title: Senior Director of Presidential Communications

Position Type: Staff Full-Time

Days Per Week: Monday - Friday

Hours Per Week: 40

VP Area: Office of the President

Department: President's Office

Position Summary

The Senior Director of Presidential Communications serves as the primary communications strategist within the Office of the President, responsible for developing, implementing, and managing strategic communications that advance the strategic plan and institutional priorities. This position crafts presidential messages, manages presidential digital presence, and coordinates with senior administrators and the office of University Communications to ensure consistent messaging across all platforms. The Senior Director also supports high-level internal and external communications, drafts speeches, talking points, and correspondence for the president, and collaborates with campus partners to amplify university initiatives. This role requires someone who can serve as a trusted advisor to the president on all communications matters, with the ability to anticipate issues and opportunities while maintaining the highest levels of confidentiality. The Senior Director of Presidential Communications is a highly-collaborative, full-time, 40-hour per week, 12-month position.

Benefits of Working at Elon

As an Elon University employee, you’ll join an internationally acclaimed university with a commitment to fostering a thriving community. Ranked among the most innovative, creative and best-run universities in the nation, Elon’s personal approach to education extends to employees, whose growth, professional development and success is a hallmark of our training and advancement opportunities.

Elon University’s home is the charming town of Elon, North Carolina, a small, friendly community located a short distance from the beach and the mountains, and among the vibrant cities of Greensboro, Raleigh and Durham. In addition to the beautiful canopy of historic oak trees iconic to our campus, you’ll find boundless opportunities for family-friendly recreation, cultural events and outdoor activities. Hiking, water sports, fine dining and entertainment are just a few of the many happenings in the Elon area, making the region one of the nation’s premier travel destinations.

Employees at Elon enjoy a generous and comprehensive benefits package that includes:

28 annual days off, including holidays and vacation.

Immediate tuition remission for undergraduate courses

Tuition remission for approved graduate-level courses after 12 months of employment.

Retirement plan with an 8 percent contribution from the university.

Immediate eligibility for health, dental and vision insurance, along with free acute care and lab services at our onsite Health & Wellness Clinic.

Free use of campus fitness facilities.

Free admission to musical and theater performances, guest speakers, religious and ethnic observances, recitals, art exhibitions, entertainment and our Division I Phoenix athletics.

Eligibility for tuition remission at Elon for spouses, qualifying domestic partners and dependents begins at two years of service. After two years of employment, eligibility begins for participation in the Tuition Exchange, a national scholarship exchange program that enables dependents to enroll in nationally recognized partner colleges and universities.

Elon values and celebrates the diverse backgrounds, cultures, experiences and perspectives of our community members. As an equal opportunity employer, Elon’s principles of diversity extend to race and gender identity, age, disability status, veteran status, sexual orientation, religion, and other aspects of one’s identity. At Elon, our employees respect human differences, passion for lifelong learning, emphasis on personal integrity and an ethic of service.

Minimum Required Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree required with significant professional experience. Minimum of ten years of progressive experience in communications, preferably in higher education or a comparable, complex environment. Demonstrated excellence in writing, editing, and verbal communication skills. Proven track record in crafting executive-level communications and managing digital presence for organizational leaders. Experience working with diverse constituencies of students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, and trustees is required. Must be a strategic thinker, innovative problem-solver, and highly motivated professional with the ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously while meeting tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

Required Other Training, Certifications, or Licensing

Driver's license and ability to be insured by university's carrier required.

Job Duties

• Strategic Communications Leadership:
  • Develop and execute comprehensive communications strategies that align with and support the president as she advances the priorities for the university.
  • Draft compelling speeches, remarks, talking points, and correspondence for the president for various audiences and occasions, ensuring the president's authentic voice is maintained.
  • Write and edit presidential messages for campus-wide distribution, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and appropriate tone across all constituencies.
  • Collaborate with University Communications to coordinate messaging across multiple platforms and ensure brand consistency.
  • Serve as a strategic advisor to the president and Chief of Staff on communications strategy, messaging, crisis communications and public relations matters.
  • Act as the primary liaison between the President's Office and University Communications.
  • Prepare the president for media engagements, interviews, panels, presentations, and public appearances with comprehensive briefing materials.
  • Extend the president's reach by serving as a trusted resource and representative to internal and external stakeholders.
• Crisis and Issues Management:
  • In collaboration with University Communications, develop and implement communications strategies during sensitive situations and crises affecting the university.
  • Monitor and manage potential reputational issues, providing counsel on appropriate messaging and response strategies.
  • Work with leadership to craft timely responses to campus and community concerns, ensuring transparent and thoughtful communication.
  • Maintain awareness of current events and issues in higher education that may impact the university's reputation or operations.
• Digital and Social Media Leadership:
  • Oversee strategy and content development for the president's social media accounts and digital presence.
  • Develop and implement innovative approaches to expand the president's digital engagement with internal and external audiences.
  • Monitor analytics and engagement metrics to continuously refine digital communication strategies.
  • Ensure presidential digital communications align with institutional messaging and advance university priorities.
  • Stay current with emerging digital communications trends and best practices in higher education.
• Content Development and Executive Communications:
  • Research, write, and edit content for various presidential communications, including website content, newsletters, annual reports, and Board communications.
  • Create compelling messaging that effectively communicates complex university initiatives and priorities to diverse audiences.
  • Design and develop high-quality presentations for the president's speeches, Presidential Councils, Board of Trustees meetings, and other significant institutional events.
  • Develop visual content in coordination with university designers to enhance presidential communications.
  • Ensure all presidential communications and presentations reflect the university's brand standards, values, and voice.
  • Verify editorial and factual accuracy of reports, correspondence, and materials before sharing them with the president.
• Presidential Events and Relationship Management:
  • Collaborate with event organizers to ensure appropriate protocols are maintained for all events in which the president participates.
  • Support presidential engagement with key stakeholders including donors, alumni, community leaders, and public officials.
  • Prepare comprehensive briefing materials for meetings, appearances, and events, ensuring the president is fully informed and prepared.
  • As requested, track progress of strategic projects and initiatives that emerge from presidential meetings and events.
• Administrative Leadership:
  • Maintain the highest levels of confidentiality, quality work, and attention to detail.
  • Coordinate with the President's Office team to ensure integrated communications approach.
  • Track and archive presidential communications for historical records.
  • Participate in the development and management of communications-related budgets.
  • Occasional travel, evening and weekend work expected.
  • Other duties as assigned by the President or Chief of Staff.

Special Instructions to Applicants: This search is being conducted by The Duffy Group. Please send all application materials to John Fierro at jfierro@duffygroup.com.