Director of Executive Communications for Administration and Finance

Cal Poly • San Luis Obispo, CA

44d • $100,000 - $125,000

About The Position

The Director of Executive Communications for Administration and Finance is a strategic and collaborative communicator that is responsible for developing and executing compelling and actionable communication strategies that support critical strategic initiatives for the division of Administration and Finance (A&F). As part of a collaborative team, the incumbent is responsible for leading the development of the Senior Vice Presidents of Administration and Finance (SVP A&F) communication strategy to elevate the division and communicate and operational achievements, strategic priorities, and service initiatives to key stakeholders, including a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, student supporters, alumni, and the broader community. The incumbent plays a vital role in shaping and conveying the narrative surrounding administrative priorities, operational excellence, fiscal stewardship, and service to the campus community, aligning divisional communications institutional goals, and the overall mission of the university for both internal and external constituents. This position strengthens community and respect through effective and transparent communications that reflect and support the campus's commitments within the context of a safe, sustainable, and well-managed campus environment. Balancing short-term communication needs with developing strategic communication plans to advance organizational and operational initiatives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment is critical to the success of the Administration and Finance Division's communications efforts. This position also has a dotted line reporting into Cal Poly's central University Communications and Marketing (UCM) division, working in partnership with the UCM team to ensure strategic communications and marketing plans are aligned with the university's goals. The Director of Executive Communications provides strategic leadership to realize organizational goals through engaging and creative messaging, internal communications, executive messaging, and engagement activities. The director serves as the primary writer for the Senior Vice President and Division, providing a range of executive writing and communication assignments often involving highly sensitive and confidential information. This position works closely with University Communications and Marketing to support media relations and management and crisis communications specific to the Senior Vice President and division. The incumbent collaborates closely with colleagues at all levels across the division of academic affairs and campus, including communication leaders in other divisions and communications and marketing staff within the division of University Communications and Marketing. The Director of Executive Communications reports directly to the Assistant Vice President of Divisional Operations and works collaboratively with the Senior Vice President and Administration and Finance Senior Leadership team. This is an important point of collaboration and contact to ensure fulfillment of timely, accurate and appropriate communication for all units within A&F including Audit and Consulting Services, Cal Poly Partners, Facilities Management & Development, Financial Services, Information Technology Services, Housing, Operational Business Services, Performing Arts, Public Safety and Strategic Business Services.

Requirements

• Demonstrated expertise in the development of strategic communications and messaging.
• Demonstrated experience building and executing comprehensive communications strategies, building compelling internal communications plans, and making complex information comprehensible and compelling for different audiences.
• Highest-level writing skills, with the demonstrated ability to write persuasively on a wide variety of topics and to adapt style for a range of audiences. Thorough knowledge of AP Style, English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Demonstrated research, data gathering and interview skills to compose effective written materials. Experience in crafting speeches & message points covering leadership progress, ceremonial functions, formal events, and announcements. Experience supporting leadership-positioning communication strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to provide advice and assistance to executive leadership regarding sensitive and/or controversial subjects.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature, which requires access to information which directly relates to leadership strategies.
• Bachelor's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism or closely related field and five years of progressively responsible experience in communications. A graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for one year of the required experience. Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.

Responsibilities

• Developing and executing compelling and actionable communication strategies that support critical strategic initiatives for the division of Administration and Finance (A&F).
• Leading the development of the Senior Vice Presidents of Administration and Finance (SVP A&F) communication strategy to elevate the division and communicate and operational achievements, strategic priorities, and service initiatives to key stakeholders
• Shaping and conveying the narrative surrounding administrative priorities, operational excellence, fiscal stewardship, and service to the campus community, aligning divisional communications institutional goals, and the overall mission of the university for both internal and external constituents.
• Strengthening community and respect through effective and transparent communications that reflect and support the campus's commitments within the context of a safe, sustainable, and well-managed campus environment.
• Balancing short-term communication needs with developing strategic communication plans to advance organizational and operational initiatives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Providing strategic leadership to realize organizational goals through engaging and creative messaging, internal communications, executive messaging, and engagement activities.
• Serving as the primary writer for the Senior Vice President and Division, providing a range of executive writing and communication assignments often involving highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Working closely with University Communications and Marketing to support media relations and management and crisis communications specific to the Senior Vice President and division.
• Collaborating closely with colleagues at all levels across the division of academic affairs and campus, including communication leaders in other divisions and communications and marketing staff within the division of University Communications and Marketing.

Benefits

• Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Industry: Educational Services
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees