Associate Director and Senior Writer for Executive Communications - University of Oregon

University Communication is seeking applicants with excellent writing, communication strategy, and executive communications skills and experience, with an interest in playing a pivotal role in supporting the university’s mission. This position is responsible for messaging strategy, remarks research and writing, digital content creation, and executive communications project management. They will help articulate the vision and priorities of leadership to internal and external stakeholders to advance the university’s objectives and goals.

Department: University Communications
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: $80,000 - $95,000
Compensation Band: OS-OA08-Fiscal Year 2023-2024
FTE: 1.0

Application Review Begins

May 10, 2024; position open until filled

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please submit the following with your online application:
A cover letter in which you clearly describe how your knowledge, skills, and abilities prepare you for the job responsibilities and requirements outlined in the job announcement.
A resume of your educational and professional work experience.

Department Summary

The department of University Communications is charged with telling the University of Oregon’s stories to a broad range of audiences and positioning the university to succeed and thrive. The department utilizes and manages a comprehensive suite of communications tools, including public relations, branding, advertising, licensing, digital media, and more for the benefit of the university.

Position Summary

The Associate Director and Senior Writer for Executive Communications promotes and enhances the university’s reputation and brand through the execution of written, digital, and verbal communications and messaging from the president, Office of the President, and other senior executives in support of the university’s mission. The associate director’s responsibilities include messaging strategy; researching, writing, and preparing remarks, correspondence, and other messaging; creating, publishing, and distributing digital content; producing executive communications projects, and managing, tracking, and measuring communication efforts.

The associate director reports to the assistant vice president for executive and internal communications and works closely with the president’s chief of staff and the vice president for university communications to ensure cohesive messaging on behalf of the president and other university leadership.

The associate director must be proactive, show consistently sound judgment, and have a demonstrated ability to research, understand, translate, and communicate complex issues and institutional affairs to multiple audiences in a variety of media. The associate director must be able to work independently and effectively, across university-wide units and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a rapid-response, team environment.

Minimum Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, journalism, or related field, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of certification, training, education, and/or experience.
• Five years of public relations, public affairs, and/or executive communications experience.

Professional Competencies

• Demonstrated ability to develop and oversee communication plans, develop messaging strategy and provide communication counsel to executives.
• Demonstrated ability to research, write, edit, and produce remarks, messages, and statements; and adapt writing tone and voice across varied types of media and for varied audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, produce, oversee production, and measure of digital content.
•Ability to work independently, set appropriate work priorities, and require minimal supervision over regular work activities.
• Ability to work with leaders on sensitive topics, exercising discretion, attention to detail and a high level of professionalism and confidentiality.
• Ability to work successfully in a team environment with multiple persons and projects, and across departments and with external stakeholders.
• Commitment to and experience working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures, and enhancing inclusion and equity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education.
• Experience writing for an executive or leader of a large institution in education, non-profit, government or similar organization.
• Proficiency with project management software and content management software.

FLSA Exempt: Yes

---

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background inquiry.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit http://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.