Communications Director

The Communications Director serves as a communications strategist and trusted advisor in the Office of the Provost on executive, internal and institutional communications. The director operates as both a strategic advisor and an operational leader, balancing high-level counsel with hands-on execution across a broad portfolio of work.

This role is responsible for:

Executive and strategic communications

• Leads the development and execution of communications strategies that support the Office of the Provost and advance the academic mission of the University
• Ensures that high-level communications are reflective of the campus strategic framework

Internal communications leadership

• Leads communications efforts related to academic initiatives, leadership transitions, organizational priorities, policy changes and operational updates

Communications coordination

• Strengthens alignment and supports the institutional brand across the Provost's portfolio
• Develops communication that supports transparency, alignment, engagement and change management across complex academic units
• Develops a communications strategy workflow, and smooth execution on daily needs, as well as longer term projects
• Fosters connections and supports alignment and partnership among communicators in units reporting to the Office of the Provost
• Ensures alignment with central campus communication priorities and the Office of Strategic Communication Issues management
• Anticipates institutional risks, reputational considerations and opportunities
• Provides guidance on sensitive and high-profile issues, serves as a key liaison with university-wide partners, and assists in executing urgent or emergency communications

Content development

• Supports the provost's engagements with internal and external audiences
• Develops presentations, correspondence, speeches, remarks, web content and talking points
• Manages daily operational communication needs of the Office of the Provost
• As needed, support units reporting to the Office of the Provost

The Communications Director will report to the Chief of Staff in the Office of the Provost with a dotted line to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs and Institutional Communications in the Office of Strategic Communication to ensure communication coordination and alignment.

• Develops, implements, and monitors strategic communication initiatives for designated audiences and internal stakeholders to maximize engagement and strengthen collaboration efforts (40%)

• Identifies, establishes, and directs media relationships and partnerships with internal and external sources (20%)

• Identifies, proposes, and implements new or revived operational policies and procedures (20%)

• Audits and directs day-to-day operational plans to align with strategic initiatives and to meet established objectives (20%)

Office of the Provost

The minimum salary for this position is $125,000. Actual salary is negotiable and will depend on the selected candidate's qualifications.

This position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid-time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. Review the benefits summary for more information.

• 8+ years of progressively responsible communications experience
• Exceptional writing, editing and verbal communication skills
• Experience leading communications in complex environments
  

• Demonstrated organizational judgment, discretion, and ability to manage confidential and sensitive matters
• Experience prioritizing and managing multiple competing priorities
• Track record of building trust through clarity, follow through, and consistency
• Proven ability to build relationships and influence across multiple stakeholders without formal authority
• Experience managing organizational change or large-scale internal communications initiatives
• Demonstrated openness to learning, listening to different perspectives, and adapting strategies when presented with new information
• Understanding of communication technologies and channels and a vision for using them strategically
• Familiarity with higher education organizational structures, including shared governance; academic culture; and institutional decision-making processes
• Experience advising institutional leaders or senior executives on communication strategy and messaging
• Skilled facilitator
  

Bachelor's degree required

To apply for this position, select either "I am a current employee" or "I am not a current employee" under Apply Now. You will then be prompted to upload your application materials.

Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload the following documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area.

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Kory Breuer, HR Manager, kory.breuer@wisc.edu

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