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Senior Director, Leadership Communications

Job Description

Operating Title

Senior Director, Leadership Communications

Long Classification Title

Senior Marketing Director

Campus Location

Durham

Department

UNH Communication and Public Affairs - AVP Administration

Summary of Position

The Senior Director for Leadership Communications is responsible for developing and executing strategic, consistent and aligned communication plans in partnership with executive leadership to support internal stakeholders’ communication and information needs. The role will blend strategy, writing, and distribution, requiring initiative, innovation and creativity to be successful. The position reports to the Executive Director of Public Relations and will be a key member of UNH Marketing’s public relations team. The incumbent will be responsible ensuring that university executive-level communications – such as those from the president, provost, and vice-president for finance and administration – reinforce university priorities and align with brand positioning. The role will be critical in developing and supporting a renewed culture of open communication, transparency and employee engagement on behalf of University leaders. 

Acceptable minimum level of education

Bachelor's

Acceptable minimum years of experience

5-7 years

Posting Number

PS4912FY25

Other minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree, ideally in communications, public relations, journalism, or related
discipline.
• A minimum of 5 years of related work experience, demonstrating growth, increasing levels of
responsibility, and continuous improvement.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing successful internal communications
• strategies.
• Experience working with senior executives and leaders, demonstrating an ability to manage
up, maintain confidentiality, and exercise discretion in sensitive matters.
• Demonstrated leadership capabilities, including the capacity to take initiative and effectively
manage multiple projects simultaneously. Strong interpersonal and relationship-building
abilities.
• Ability to thrive in fast-paced, collaborative environments and deliver high-quality work under
tight deadlines
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with meticulous attention to detail and
accuracy.
• Ability to work from the Durham campus several days per week, sometimes on short notice.
• Ability to work some nights and weekends

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in a related field
• Experience in higher education or a similar complex organization

Salary Information

Salary is complemented by a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, retirement, tuition, and paid time off.

Quicklink for Posting

https://jobs.usnh.edu/postings/63573

Percent Time Information (FTE)

1.00

Grade

29

EEO Statement

The University System of New Hampshire is an Equal Opportunity/Equal Access/Affirmative Action employer. The University System is committed to creating an environment that values and supports diversity and inclusiveness across our campus communities and encourages applications from qualified individuals who will help us achieve this mission. The University System prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or marital status.

Institution Information

The University of New Hampshire is an R1 Carnegie classification research institution providing comprehensive, high-quality undergraduate and graduate programs of distinction. UNH is located in Durham on a 188-acre campus, 60 miles north of Boston and 8 miles from the Atlantic coast and is convenient to New Hampshire’s lakes and mountains. There is a student enrollment of 13,000 students, with a full-time faculty of over 600, offering 90 undergraduate and more than 70 graduate programs. The University actively promotes a dynamic learning environment in which qualified individuals of differing perspectives, life experiences, and cultural backgrounds pursue academic goals with mutual respect and shared inquiry.
The UNH Diversity Resource Guide with information and programming available in the seacoast area, New Hampshire, and the region can be found here: https://www.unh.edu/hr/diversity-resource-guide

Posting Date

10/18/2024

Open Until Filled

Yes

Posting Open to Internal Candidates Only?

No

Interested Internal Candidates Exist?

No

Job Category

Salaried Staff (Exempt)

Appointment Type

Regular

Drivers License and Physical Requirements. Please check all items that apply.

None applicable

Duty/Responsibility

Leadership Communications
  • Develop and implement a comprehensive executive-level internal communications strategy to support communication with UNH students, faculty, and staff and other priority stakeholders.
  • Collaborate with executive leadership to align messaging with institutional mission, brand narrative, strategic plan, and initiatives.
  • Collaborate with UNH Marketing colleagues to develop ways of working and scopes of work that take a multiplatform approach to reaching diverse stakeholder groups.
  • Define and develop a strong understanding of different internal audiences. Use this knowledge to ensure the tone, language and format of internal communication is easily accessible to, and accessed by, a range of campus groups.
  • Oversee the creation and dissemination of executive level content, including newsletters, articles, social media, website copy, and multimedia materials that effectively communicates on issues of key importance, including (but not limited to) State of the University, budget, human resources, crisis communications and issues management, sometimes under tight deadlines.
  • Collaborate to facilitate forums, town hall meetings, and other events and initiatives to encourage dialogue, collaboration, engagement and a sense of community across the university.
  • Develop and sustain relationships with leadership, faculty, staff, students and other constituents to facilitate communication efforts.
  • Establish metrics to assess the effectiveness of internal communication and act on feedback to ensure communication is timely, relevant and meets the needs of the University and internal audiences.

Duty/Responsibility

Content
  • Produce and distribute high-quality content, including speeches, community emails, website copy, presentations, and scripts to support the university president and senior leadership — partner closely with the Marketing Department on the most appropriate and effective distribution methods.
  • Work closely with colleagues on the content team to develop content strategies and calendars for the President and Provost.
  • Support vetting and executive preparation for events and speaking opportunities.
  • Ensure event parameters and logistics are understood, and executive leadership is briefed and supported to ensure a successful engagement.
  • Facilitate the collection, review, and editing of drafts and talking points to reflect the voice and priorities of the president and other executive leaders.

Duty/Responsibility

Public Relations and Issues Management
  • In partnership with the Executive Director of Public Relations: Create and support opportunities for external thought leadership for the president and executive leadership to promote the University.
  • Provide counsel and craft messaging to manage challenges and critical reputation issues effectively.
  • Support crisis and executive communication plans by supporting the information needs of internal leaders and managers.

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