Director of Executive Communications

Job Requisition:

JR101590 Director of Executive Communications (Open)

Job Posting Title:

Director of Executive Communications

Department:

CC00001 WM001 | PRES | Office of the President

Job Family:

Staff - Communications

Worker Sub-Type:

Regular (benefited)

Job Requisition Primary Location:

Brafferton House

Primary Job Posting Location:

Brafferton House

Job Description Summary:

The Director of Executive Communications serves as the principal writer and communications strategist for the President of William & Mary. This senior-level position is responsible for crafting, refining, and stewarding the president's voice across all platforms and audiences - from formal addresses and long-form thought leadership to correspondence, event materials, and institutional messaging. The Director works at the intersection of the President's Office and the broader university community, ensuring that every word attributed to the president reflects her vision, values, and distinctive voice. This position also has a dotted line to University Communications to ensure consistency between the president's voice and university-wide messaging.

The job will be responsible for the following:
Executive Voice Mastery - Demonstrates a sophisticated ability to internalize and authentically represent another person's voice, tone, and rhetorical sensibility.
Strategic Communication - Thinks holistically about how messages land, what they signal, and how they serve the institution's long-term interests.
Discretion & Confidentiality - Exercises consistent, sound judgment in handling sensitive or privileged information; maintains the trust of the President's Office.
Collaborative Partnership - Functions as a trusted partner to campus units while maintaining the integrity and priorities of the President's Office.
Organizational Excellence - Manages complex workflows, competing deadlines, and multiple stakeholders with efficiency and grace.
Institutional Alignment - Understands and actively advances the university's mission, values, and brand in every communication.

Job Description:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or a related field.
• Progressive experience in executive communications, speechwriting, or high-level editorial roles (typically 7+ years).
• Demonstrated ability to capture and sustain an executive's voice across varied formats and audiences.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills with acute attention to detail and nuance and familiarity with AP style.
• Experience working in a confidential, high-profile executive office environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across diverse campus communities.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects under deadline pressure.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree.
• Experience in higher education, especially a public institution, government, or similarly complex institutional environments.
• Familiarity with the culture, history, and values of William & Mary.
• Experience representing an office on cross-functional committees or advisory councils.
• Background in brand management or institutional identity work.

Conditions of Employment:

• This position may require additional hours beyond typical work hours, including evenings and weekends.

Job Duties:

Presidential Voice & Writing:

• Serve as the resident expert on the president's voice, tone, and rhetorical style across all communications platforms and audiences.
• Craft presidential remarks, speeches, and formal addresses for a wide range of university and public engagements.
• Write long-form thought pieces, op-eds, and institutional narratives in the president's distinctive voice.
• Develop quotes, blurbs, and short-form content that reflect the president's brand and perspective.
• Fine-tune high-level citations, attributions, and source material integrated into presidential communications.
• Prepare and finalize correspondence on behalf of the president to all stakeholders, both internal and external.

Strategic Communications & Alignment:

• Meet the full range of communications needs for the President's Office, including proactive and reactive messaging.
• Align events, programs, and institutional materials with the president's brand and strategic communications priorities.
• Manage the president's Instagram and LinkedIn pages.
• Apply the president's voice in service of the university's mission, values, and strategic plan.
• Organize and steward processes for developing, reviewing, and approving presidential communications.
• Protect the confidentiality of all presidential communications and exercise sound judgment in handling sensitive information.

Collaboration & Partnership:

• Build trusted partnerships with units, deans, and leaders across campus who require support from the President's Office.
• Work closely with key internal and external stakeholders to gather information needed for presidential communications.
• Bridge the President's Office with University Marketing & University Communications to ensure brand coherence and message alignment. This position has a dotted line to the Executive Director of Content & Strategy and works as an embedded member of that team.
• Represent the Office of the President on the Internal Communications Council and other university-wide committees as assigned.

Event & Materials Support:

• Brief the president on upcoming speaking engagements, providing context, talking points, and audience intelligence.
• Finalize signature and executive-level materials, including commencement programs, invitations, and official event collateral.

Annual Salary: Up to $105,000, commensurate with experience.

Required Attachments: Include a cover letter, resume/CV, and two recent writing samples of no more than two pages. Apply by the review date for full consideration.

Additional Job Description:

Job Profile:

JP0510 - Communications Manager (Central University) - Exempt - Salary - S16

Qualifications:

Compensation Grade:

S16

Recruiting Start Date:

2026-04-17

Review Date:

2026-05-01

Position Restrictions:

Continuing E&G funded position and not term-limited

EEO is the Law. Applicants can learn more about William & Mary's status as an equal opportunity employer by viewing the "Know Your Rights" poster published by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Background Check: William & Mary is committed to providing a safe campus community. W&M conducts background investigations for applicants being considered for employment. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check, and when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

Remote Work Disclaimer: Remote work eligibility is not guaranteed and is subject to approval. Employee eligibility depends on the likelihood of the employee succeeding in a remote work arrangement and the supervisor's ability to manage remote workers. Departments and/or Human Resources may amend, alter, change, delete, or modify eligibility.

Each agency within the Commonwealth of Virginia is dedicated to recruiting, supporting, and maintaining a competent and diverse work force. Equal Opportunity Employer