Director of Executive Communications

Required Qualifications (as evidenced by an attached resume):
Bachelor’s degree (foreign equivalent or higher). Six (6) years of full time progressively responsible experience in executive communications for a CEO or senior leader in a corporation, government, or non-profit organization.
*Writing samples will be requested from those candidates selected for an interview.

Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree (foreign equivalent or higher) in English, Communications, or related field. Advanced degree (foreign equivalent or higher). Additional years (7+) of full time progressively responsible experience in executive communications for a CEO or senior leader in a corporation, government, or non-profit organization. Experience supporting a president or a senior leadership position in higher education or an academic medical center. Experience working with social media platforms in creating and implementing programs. Experience developing thought leadership opportunities and content.

Brief Description of Duties:
The Director of Executive Communications will serve as the senior communications strategist and trusted advisor to the president. Reporting to the Chief of Staff, the Director of Executive Communications is a core member of the president’s immediate team with responsibility for designing, building, implementing and assessing a comprehensive executive communications strategy that encompasses internal, institutional, and external messaging, speechwriting, social media, and thought leadership that aligns with Stony Brook University’s mission, vision, and priorities.
The Director of Executive Communications must work comfortably and confidentially with senior administrators in all areas of the university and maintain close, collaborative partnerships with the university’s central Marketing and Communications division to ensure institutional alignment. The Director of Executive Communications will proactively drive the president’s daily messaging agenda, maintain a deep understanding of shifting institutional priorities, and deliver high-quality content under tight deadlines. The director will also support crisis communications messaging and strategy as needed. Incumbent must have strong writing and highly developed strategic and critical thinking to identify and align issues with organizational priorities.

• Presidential and Executive Communication Strategy, Content Creation, and Leadership: 
  • Serve as the primary communications advisor to the president and chief of staff on internal messaging, institutional visibility, sensitive communications, and strategic alignment. Formulate and manage the president’s daily messaging agenda and communications calendar, ensuring a proactive and intentional cadence of deliverables that reflects the university’s mission, vision, and priorities. Master the president’s voice to research, draft, and finalize communications, including major speeches, university-wide addresses, panel talking points, briefing materials, employee messages, presentations, and official correspondence. Collaborate closely and confidentially with leaders across Stony Brook University and Stony Brook Medicine. Partner seamlessly with the University Marketing and Communications Division, as well as external consultants, to maintain consistent messaging across all platforms.
  • As needed, collaborate with the chief of staff and other leaders to support crisis communications and formulate response strategies.
  • Provide clear strategic direction and leadership to the executive office communications team. Support a culture of continuous learning, supervise and mentor staff, and ensure the team stays ahead of emerging industry trends.
• External Communication Strategy and Thought Leadership: 
  • Working with the president and the Chief of Staff as well as other senior leadership, identify, research, write thought leadership content, including op-eds, articles, and essays for trade, regional, national, and international media outlets. Position the president strategically for high-profile public engagements, panel appearances, and institutional storytelling that elevates the profile of Stony Brook University. Oversee the strategy, creation, and execution of highly engaging, professional content across the president’s official soci