Senior Strategist of Executive Communications

The Senior Strategist, Executive Communications, partners closely with the Sr. Director, Executive Communications and members of the Office of the President and University Marketing Communications teams and leaders across the University to support the President’s executive visibility and engagement strategy.
This role manages executive communications platforms, including the Office of the President website and social media strategy, develops multi-channel communications content, and leads the overall management and coordination of responses to the President’s externally-facing email and other correspondence.
Under the direction of the Senior Director, Executive Communications, this role will collaborate with members of the Office of the President team and leaders across the University to formulate content and meet communications-related requests for the President. Additionally, it will support the development of a strategic, cohesive strategy in support of the priorities of the President and University, for current events and shifting priorities.
This position will dual report to the Senior Director, Executive Communications and Deputy Chief of Staff in the Office of the President. This role is required to be in the office Monday-Thursday with remote work on Fridays and will include night and weekend support. This position is primarily in-office.
Key Responsibilities

• Executive Content & Project Management
  • Assist in content creation, including development of first drafts (speeches, key messages, commentary), to support appearances in partnership with The Office of the President’s staff and partners across the University.
  • Proactively gather assets – content, background information, photos, videos, etc. – that support the University President’s appearances inside and outside the University in collaboration with members of the Office of the President team and leaders across the University.
  • Maintain trackers, organization and templates to support executive visibility strategy and message consistency for Office of the President.
  • Assist in routing materials through various levels of review, overseeing quality control to ensure accuracy, clarity, coherence, and adherence to style guidelines.
• President’s Social Media Presence
  • Development and implementation of a proactive social media strategy in partnership with the University Marketing Communications social media team, and communications partners across the University.
  • Manage editorial strategy and approvals, partnering with the social media team on content and asset creation, account management, and reporting.
• Web Presence
  • Be an active part of the team that formulates the strategy for the Office of the President website.
  • Responsible for day-to-day management of the Office of the President website, including content development.
• Executive Correspondence
  • Manage the Office of the President email account, partnering closely with members of the Office of the President and University Marketing Communications teams.
    • Triage incoming communications and draft comprehensive responses.
    • Escalate relevant issues, themes and trends – as appropriate to team members across Office of the President and communications partners.
    • Create and maintain reports that summarize key issues, themes and trends and are easily accessible for the President and other University senior leaders.
  • Create content-including letters, acknowledgements-and ensure timely response.
• Manages multiple priorities with tight deadlines and diverse audiences while maintaining a professional and consistent strategic approach and brand identity.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with members of the Office of the President and University Marketing Communications teams and leaders across the University, along with community organizations, and external vendors.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communications, Public Relations, Marketing, or related field
• Minimum of six years of related experience in executive communications, strategic communications, social media strategy and related
• Demonstrated experience with social media management
• Excellent written and oral communications skills
• Prior experience writing in an executive voice (speeches, long form commentary, etc) and elevating an executive leader on prioritized topics
• Strong judgement, attention to detail and interpersonal skills including ability to work cooperatively with variety of internal stakeholders and individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Excellent analytical skills – distilling information to identify trends and prioritize tasks
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to the demands of changing and challenging environment with multiple competing priorities
• Proven ability to work independently and in collaborative team-based environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with content management systems.
• Strength in critical and strategic thinking with proven ability to problem solve and offer up a plan for how to move forward.
• Excellent organizational and planning skills, with the ability to independently manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Prior experience working in a complex, decentralized organization.
• The ability to respond quickly and deal successfully under pressure in an open and public environment.
• Experience with issues and crisis management communications.

Pay Range: $90,000 – $100,000; depending on education/qualifications/experience

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Time Appointment: 100% Appointment, 12 month

Position Type: P&A Staff

Please visit the Office of Human Resources website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

The University offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training and degree-seeking programs supported by the Regents Tuition Benefit Program
• Low-cost medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and employer-paid life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Excellent retirement plans with employer contribution
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) opportunity
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost
• Employee Transit Pass with free or reduced rates in the Twin Cities metro area

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online Application for the position and attach a cover letter and resume or CV.

Please include a cover letter and a resume for a complete application.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities (UMTC)

The University of Minnesota is a world-class research university and one of the largest in the United States. The University leads the way on mission-driven work opportunities, strong employee engagement, a strong benefits package including tuition reimbursement, all in an always-something-new work environment.
Founded in 1851 as a land-grant university, the school now serves more than 70,000 students from 130 countries enrolled on our campuses, thousands of study abroad students, more than 26,000 employees on five campuses across Minnesota, and half a million alumni worldwide.
The University consistently has advanced its mission with exceptional vigor-distinguished by a comprehensive commitment to integrating public engagement deeply into teaching and learning, research, and discovery. The University also strongly embraces equity and diversity as foundational values and has made both engagement and diversity central to systemwide strategic plans.
The Twin Cities campus is in the heart of a dynamic metro area that is a global economic leader, an education and culture hub, and renowned for its abundant natural resources. The Minneapolis-St. Paul metro is home to the fourth-largest concentration of Fortune 500 companies nationwide and thriving entrepreneurial and small business sectors. Ranked as one of the country’s leading “creative economies,” the Twin Cities is renowned for its arts and nonprofit sectors, as well as many lakes, parks, and a wealth of recreational and entertainment opportunities. Spanning locations in both Minneapolis and St. Paul, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities straddles the Mississippi River and adjoins a national park.
The University is an anchor institution for a globally competitive region and state with notable strengths in areas critical to today’s knowledge economy-including biosciences, medical devices, and agriculture and food production. The campus is also located in an increasingly diverse region, with 11 federally-recognized tribal nations, the largest urban Native American population in the country, and growing African American, Latino and Chicano, and Asian American populations.
The Twin Cities campus is located on traditional, ancestral and contemporary lands of Indigenous people. The University resides on Dakota land ceded in the Treaties of 1837 and 1851. The University acknowledges this place has a complex and layered history and is committed to ongoing efforts to recognize, support and advocate for American Indian Nations and peoples.