Communications Director

University of Wisconsin Madison • Madison, WI

9h • Onsite

About The Position

The Communications Director serves as a communications strategist and trusted advisor in the Office of the Provost on executive, internal and institutional communications. The director operates as both a strategic advisor and an operational leader, balancing high-level counsel with hands-on execution across a broad portfolio of work.

Requirements

• 8+ years of progressively responsible communications experience
• Exceptional writing, editing and verbal communication skills
• Experience leading communications in complex environments
• Bachelor's degree required

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated organizational judgment, discretion, and ability to manage confidential and sensitive matters
• Experience prioritizing and managing multiple competing priorities
• Track record of building trust through clarity, follow through, and consistency
• Proven ability to build relationships and influence across multiple stakeholders without formal authority
• Experience managing organizational change or large-scale internal communications initiatives
• Demonstrated openness to learning, listening to different perspectives, and adapting strategies when presented with new information
• Understanding of communication technologies and channels and a vision for using them strategically
• Familiarity with higher education organizational structures, including shared governance; academic culture; and institutional decision-making processes
• Experience advising institutional leaders or senior executives on communication strategy and messaging
• Skilled facilitator

Responsibilities

• Executive and strategic communications: Leads the development and execution of communications strategies that support the Office of the Provost and advance the academic mission of the University. Ensures that high-level communications are reflective of the campus strategic framework.
• Internal communications leadership: Leads communications efforts related to academic initiatives, leadership transitions, organizational priorities, policy changes and operational updates.
• Communications coordination: Strengthens alignment and supports the institutional brand across the Provost's portfolio. Develops communication that supports transparency, alignment, engagement and change management across complex academic units. Develops a communications strategy workflow, and smooth execution on daily needs, as well as longer term projects. Fosters connections and supports alignment and partnership among communicators in units reporting to the Office of the Provost. Ensures alignment with central campus communication priorities and the Office of Strategic Communication.
• Issues management: Anticipates institutional risks, reputational considerations and opportunities. Provides guidance on sensitive and high-profile issues, serves as a key liaison with university-wide partners, and assists in executing urgent or emergency communications.
• Content development: Supports the provost's engagements with internal and external audiences. Develops presentations, correspondence, speeches, remarks, web content and talking points. Manages daily operational communication needs of the Office of the Provost. As needed, support units reporting to the Office of the Provost.
• Identifies, establishes, and directs media relationships and partnerships with internal and external sources (20%)
• Develops, implements, and monitors strategic communication initiatives for designated audiences and internal stakeholders to maximize engagement and strengthen collaboration efforts (40%)
• Audits and directs day-to-day operational plans to align with strategic initiatives and to meet established objectives (20%)
• Identifies, proposes, and implements new or revived operational policies and procedures (20%)

Benefits

• generous paid-time off
• competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance
• tax-advantaged savings accounts
• participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior