Director or Senior Director of Executive & Internal Communications

The Office of the Dean of the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences is looking to fill an inaugural position: Director or Senior Director of Executive & Internal Communications. The Director/Senior Director will develop and execute communications strategy for the Dean and the corresponding office, while also managing the communications to internal audiences such as faculty and staff to drive increased awareness and engagement of key goals. This is a critical role in elevating awareness of the top strategic priorities and turning ideas into action. As a strategic communications partner, this individual is closely aligned with the strategic objectives of Arts & Sciences.  

Currently, this role serves as an individual contributor and will be responsible for both the strategic vision as well as the executional/tactical elements. There is an opportunity to build out this team further in the future, and there is a Communications Associate available to support this role. It’s vital that this person is both a leader and a doer. This individual will report to the Senior Associate Dean and Chief Marketing Officer, with a dotted line to the Dean. The title will be adjusted to either Director or Senior Director depending on the candidate’s experience. 

The successful candidate will oversee two key areas: 

Executive Communications 

• Develop a close relationship with the Dean and others in the Dean’s office to craft highly visible messaging and communicate it on behalf of the team in a tone that properly reflects leadership values and style.  

• Write speeches, remarks, and talking points in close collaboration with the Dean. 

• Counsel senior leadership on strategies, initiatives and materials to amplify key priorities. 

• Regularly prep the Dean and the leadership team leading up to significant presentations as well as day-to-day communications.  

• Establish a consistent identity for Dean’s Office communications and develop an annual communications plan, leveraging metrics where needed. 

• In coordination with other members of the Marketing team, be astute to the broader community and ensure that messages are amplified in an appropriate way and tone. 

• Identify and assess opportunities to position the Dean and leadership as thought leaders in their respective areas, both internally and externally to the University. 

• Collaborate with the Dean and CMO to identify and prioritize external engagements and appearances that further A&S goals. 

• Anticipate and plan for obstacles and effective responsive and/or crisis communications. 

Internal Communications 

• Lead the planning, coordination, and management of internal communications shared with faculty, staff and students.  

• Effectively communicate based on the audience, scope, message and medium. 

• Partner closely with Chief of Staff, Faculty Affairs and Staff Affairs teams to determine proper messaging and cadence to faculty and staff in a way that is thoughtful and proactive. 

• Develop and recommend results-based process improvements and optimized communication channels, tools, and strategies and be able to pivot and lead team through change management. 

• Advise Dean’s Office colleagues on best practices for internal communications and develop resources for training and equipping others to craft effective internal communications. 

• Support establishment of process to measure internal communications effectiveness and engagement. 

• Develop annual master calendar that syncs up cadence of communication events throughout the year, and proactively manage. 

Minimum Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor's degree

• Experience: At least eight years, or Master's degree with at least six years of marketing, journalism, or public relations experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with ability to synthesize complex concepts and translate into simple and clear communications. 

• Advanced Degree may substitute for some of the experience requirement. 

• Experience envisioning, developing, and implementing a successful strategic communications plan based on goals and priorities. 

• Experience in executive communications support such as presentations, remarks, essays. 

• Proven track record creating and delivering effective internal communications programs that translate strategic thinking into output. 

• Strong knowledge of best-in-class internal communications practices. 

• Demonstrate critical thinking skills and strong problem solving capabilities. 

• Strong attention to detail. 

• Experience in higher education or working with high profile leadership teams. 

This position is located in Charlottesville, VA. A hybrid work schedule may be available, dependent upon the needs of the department and the incumbent's performance.

This is an Exempt level, benefited position. For more information on the benefits at UVA, visit hr.virginia.edu/benefits.

This position will remain open until filled. Review of applications begins March 11, 2024. This position will not sponsor applicants for work visas. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. 

To Apply:

Application Instructions: Apply Now . Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile, search Find Jobs and then R0058312. Complete an application online and include the following documents:

•              CV

•              Cover letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

References will be completed via UVA’s standardized process Skill Survey. A total of five references will be requested via SkillSurvey during the final phase of the interview process.

For questions about the application process, please contact Melanie Sponaugle, Academic Recruiter, at [email protected].

For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community please see http://www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/ .

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The University of Virginia, i ncluding the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff.  We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences.  We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, veteran status, and family medical or genetic information.