Executive Director of Communications

Position Information Posting date: 02/19/2026 Open Until Filled: Yes Position Number: 1129526 Position Title: Executive Director of Communications Hiring Range Minimum: $130,000 Hiring Range Maximum: $150,000 Union Type: Not a Union Position SEIU Level: Not an SEIU Position FLSA Status: Exempt Employment Category: Regular Full Time Scheduled Months per Year: 12 Scheduled Hours per Week: 40 Schedule: Location of Position: Hanover, NH Remote Work Eligibility: Onsite only Is this a term position?: No If yes, length of term in months: NA Is this a grant funded position?: No Note: Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy Position Purpose / Description The Executive Director of Communications serves as the senior communications and engagement leader for the Provost’s Office and the Provost’s Division. Reporting to the Provost’s Office, this role is responsible for shaping, advancing, and assessing a comprehensive communications and engagement strategy that supports the university’s academic mission, priorities, and institutional values. The Executive Director ensures clear, consistent, and compelling messaging across internal and external audiences. The role strengthens trust, transparency, and shared understanding between academic leadership and the faculty community, positioning the Provost’s Office and academic enterprise as thoughtful leaders in higher education. Working closely with vice provosts, leaders across the Division, and campus partners, the Executive Director integrates strategic communications with engagement practices that foster dialogue, consultation, and community across schools and divisions. Description continues with alignment of strategic communications through engagement across units and with campus partners to support academic priorities. Responsibilities Develops and implements a comprehensive communications strategy for the Provost’s Office aligned with institutional academic priorities. Serves as principal author and editor for high-impact Provost’s Office communications, including speeches, messages to faculty, presentations, reports, op-eds, and talking points. Oversees the development of Provost’s Office communications channels, including newsletters, websites, reports, and internal communications. Ensures consistent, accessible, and compelling academic messaging across platforms and audiences. Aligns academic messaging with institutional branding, media strategy, and reputational priorities. Establishes metrics to evaluate the effectiveness of academic communications and continuously refine strategies based on feedback and results. Required Qualifications Education and Years of Experience Masters plus 6 or more years' experience or equivalent combination of education and experience A minimum of 10 years of relevant experience in communications, media, publishing, or public affairs. Progressive leadership experience in higher education or a comparably complex, mission-driven organization. Demonstrated experience leading communications strategy within an academic, research, or higher education context. Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills across multiple formats and audiences. Demonstrated success in strategic communications, faculty engagement, and stakeholder relations. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with faculty, senior leaders, and institutional partners. Sound judgment and discretion in managing sensitive academic and institutional matters. Ability to synthesize complex academic issues into clear, accessible communications. Commitment to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through communications and engagement practices. Preferred Qualifications Doctorate or professional degree strongly preferred. Experience working closely with academic leadership Background in academic strategy, institutional research, or reputational advancement Familiarity with shared governance structures and faculty culture Department Contacts Department Contact for Recruitment Inquiries: Kyle Hastbacka Department Contact Phone Number: kyle.m.hastbacka@dartmouth.edu Department Contact for Cover Letter and Title: Marianne Thomson, Acting Senior Associate Provost for Operations and Chief Operations Officer Department Contact’s Phone Number: Equal Opportunity Employer Dartmouth College is an equal opportunity employer under federal law. We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, marital status, or any other legally protected status. Applications are welcome from all. Employment in this position is contingent upon consent to and successful completion of a pre-employment background check, which may include a criminal background check, reference checks, verification of work history, conduct review, and verification of any required academic credentials, licenses, and/or certifications, with results acceptable to Dartmouth College. A criminal conviction will not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment. Background check information will be used in a confidential, non-discriminatory manner consistent with state and federal law. Special Instructions to Applicants Dartmouth College has a Tobacco-Free Policy. Smoking and the use of tobacco-based products are prohibited in all facilities, grounds, vehicles or other areas owned, operated or occupied by Dartmouth College with no exceptions. For details, please see our policy. https://policies.dartmouth.edu/policy/tobacco-free-policy Supplemental Questions * How did you learn about this employment opportunity? Current Dartmouth employee (Please specify full name below) Word of mouth Mentioned on social, digital, or print media (e.g. LinkedIn feed, VOX, Valley News, listserv) jobs@dartmouth.edu email outreach (includes Job Alert notifications, marketing emails from Talent Acquisition) Recruiter (Please specify full name or event below) abilityJOBS Chronicle of Higher Education Glassdoor Handshake HigherEdJobs HigherEdMilitary Indeed Inside Higher Ed LinkedIn’s Job Board RecruitMilitary Dartmouth’s Job Board (searchjobs.dartmouth.edu) Other (Please specify below) If you would like to add more information to your answer, please specify here: (Open Ended Question) Documents Needed to Apply Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents Writing Portfolio Additional Document #1 Additional Document #2 Dartmouth College Office of Human Resources | 7 Lebanon Street Suite 203 | Hanover, NH 03755 | Ph 603.646.3411 | jobs@dartmouth.edu #J-18808-Ljbffr