Inside Higher Ed
Senior Director of Presidential Communications
Inside Higher Ed, Elon, North Carolina, United States
Senior Director of Presidential Communications
Location: Elon University Campus 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. Responsibilities
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. To Apply:
To apply, visit:
https://jobs.elon.edu/jobs/92b3816a-070a-476a-ac17-5826642bab2e . Copyright ©2025 Elon University. All rights reserved. Seniority level
Executive Employment type
Full-time Job function
Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing Industries: Online Audio and Video Media Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply. This description may be subject to change.
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Location: Elon University Campus 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. Responsibilities
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. To Apply:
To apply, visit:
https://jobs.elon.edu/jobs/92b3816a-070a-476a-ac17-5826642bab2e . Copyright ©2025 Elon University. All rights reserved. Seniority level
Executive Employment type
Full-time Job function
Marketing, Public Relations, and Writing/Editing Industries: Online Audio and Video Media Eligible applicants are encouraged to apply. This description may be subject to change.
#J-18808-Ljbffr