Associate Director, Executive Communications

Executive Communications and Content Development

• Develop and manage executive communications that support the Senior Vice President (SVP) and ORP Executive Leadership Team.
• Research, write, edit, and coordinate speeches, presentations, talking points, briefing materials, reports, correspondence, newsletters, and other leadership communications.
• Ensure messaging aligns with ORP priorities, university objectives, and brand standards.
• Translate complex research and innovation topics into clear, compelling content for various audiences.

Strategic Communications Planning and Implementation

• Develop and execute strategic communications plans that advance ORP initiatives and leadership priorities.
• Oversee editorial calendars, communication campaigns, and content strategies across multiple channels.
• Coordinate communication efforts across ORP units to ensure consistency and alignment.
• Monitor communication outcomes and recommend improvements to increase effectiveness and audience engagement.

Media Relations Support

• Support of reactive media relations.
• Coordinate media relations activities for ORP leadership, including responding to inquiries, preparing media materials, and facilitating interviews.
• Identify opportunities to enhance visibility of ORP research, innovation, and partnership initiatives.
• Collaborate with university communications partners on public-facing communications.
• Monitor media coverage for ORP and provide recommendations for proactive engagement.

Staff Leadership and Operational Management

• Supervise communications staff and student employees.
• Establish priorities, manage workflow, and allocate resources to ensure timely completion of communications projects.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities.
• Support recruitment, onboarding, and training activities as needed.

Collaboration, Stakeholder Engagement and Special Projects

• Partner with university leadership, communications teams, colleges, departments, and external stakeholders to coordinate messaging and communications activities.
• Support institutional initiatives, executive events, and special projects.
• Serve as a communications resource to ORP leadership and stakeholders.
• Foster collaborative relationships that advance the mission and strategic priorities of the Office of Research and Partnerships.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated knowledge of strategic communications, public relations, media relations, and content development principles and practices.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, including experience developing executive-level communications, speeches, presentations, and messaging.
• Ability to translate complex scientific, technical, and research-related information into clear, compelling communications for diverse audiences.
• Strong strategic planning, project management, and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to develop, implement, and evaluate communication strategies and campaigns that support organizational goals and stakeholder engagement.
• Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and effectively influence, advise, and work with leaders, faculty, staff, media representatives, and external partners.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and adapt communication approaches in a dynamic and complex organizational environment.