Director, Executive Communications, Advancement Communications

Boston University•Boston, MA

23h•$100,000 - $120,000

About The Position

The Director of Executive Communications is part of Boston University Advancement Marketing & Communications and reports to the Managing Director, Strategic Communications. The role translates President Melissa Gilliam’s vision into presidential remarks and messaging platforms that inspire philanthropic engagement and advance Boston University’s standing in discovery, education, and human connection. The Director develops remarks for Advancement-led events, from donor engagements to regional and national forums, and creates messaging that articulates the University’s strategic vision, fundraising priorities, and case for philanthropic support. Communications should reflect the President’s North Star vision of convergence—uniting disciplines, communities, and global realities to address major challenges—and connect Advancement’s philanthropic mission to the University’s broader purpose. The position works closely with the Office of the President, BU External Affairs, BU Communications, Advancement teams, and University schools, colleges, institutes, and centers to align messaging and integrate Advancement storytelling into the institutional narrative. The role requires occasional travel to events, regional offices, and alumni engagement activities, and may involve evening and weekend work during event periods.

Responsibilities

Craft and refine presidential remarks for high-stakes Advancement events, including fundraising galas, donor briefings, and regional leadership forums.
Attend events and public appearances to understand and authentically reflect the President’s voice, cadence, humor, intellectual priorities, and leadership presence.
Adapt remarks and messaging for diverse audiences while advancing Advancement priorities and fundraising objectives.
Collaborate with event teams, institutional partners, and the Office of the President on event context, philanthropic objectives, audience expectations, and messaging strategy.
Manage complex speech-development timelines and multiple concurrent projects while maintaining accuracy, consistency, and strategic impact.
Develop and evolve evergreen messaging platforms that connect the President’s North Star vision with Advancement fundraising priorities.
Create messaging frameworks and speaker briefing books for Advancement leaders, deans, and campaign chairs.
Build content architecture linking campaigns, fundraising initiatives, and events to institutional priorities and philanthropic impact.
Ensure messaging reflects the work and impact of BU’s schools, colleges, institutes, and centers.
Develop messaging that positions Advancement forums and events as opportunities for philanthropic partnership.
Align Advancement messaging with the Office of the President and the President’s broader leadership narrative.
Coordinate with BU External Affairs and BU Communications to ensure consistency across University communications.
Collaborate with communications leaders to integrate Advancement storytelling into the broader institutional voice.
Work with Advancement units to understand objectives, themes, priorities, and audiences and encourage messaging adoption across teams.
Engage with schools, colleges, institutes, and centers to identify and amplify research, faculty expertise, and student outcomes.
Use research and data on alumni and donor preferences, motivations, and engagement patterns to inform messaging and fundraising strategy.
Track external trends, the competitive landscape, and emerging opportunities to keep messaging distinctive and timely.
Stay informed about University initiatives, campaign priorities, and institutional developments.
Maintain editorial standards for clarity, persuasive impact, precision, brand voice, and institutional values.
Develop and refine messaging guidelines and templates for consistent communication about University priorities, fundraising, and the North Star vision.
Ensure remarks and messaging align with Advancement’s philanthropic mission, campaign objectives, and fundraising priorities.
Travel occasionally to events, regional offices, and alumni engagement activities; work evenings and weekends during some event periods.