Director of Communications for the Provost

About this role

Job Requisition: JR101728 Director of Communications for the Provost (Open) Job Posting Title: Director of Communications for the Provost Department: CC00036 WM001 | PROV | Provost's Office Job Family: Staff - Communications Worker Sub-Type: Regular (benefited) Job Requisition Primary Location: William & Mary Primary Job Posting Location: Posting Location - William & Mary Job Description Summary: The Director of Executive Communications leads the development and execution of communications supporting the Provost’s priorities and advancing the university’s mission, vision, and strategic goals. Reporting to the Chief of Staff to the Provost, this position serves as the principal writer and a key advisor on messaging and positioning, shaping the Provost’s voice across internal and external audiences.

The Director is responsible for high-level communications including speeches, executive correspondence, Board of Visitors presentations and materials, and digital content. The role operates with a high degree of independence and exercises sound judgment in managing complex, sensitive, and high-visibility communications. The position collaborates closely with University Communications and senior academic leadership to ensure alignment, consistency, and effectiveness of messaging across the institution.

The Director is responsible for high-level communications including speeches, executive correspondence, Board of Visitors presentations and materials, and digital content. The role operates with a high degree of independence and exercises sound judgment in managing complex, sensitive, and high-visibility communications. The position collaborates closely with University Communications and senior academic leadership to ensure alignment, consistency, and effectiveness of messaging across the institution. Job Description: Required Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or a related field. • Progressive experience in executive communications, speech writing, or high-level editorial roles (typically 7+ years). • Demonstrated ability to capture and sustain an executive voice across varied formats and audiences. • Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills with strong attention to detail and familiarity with AP style. • Experience working in a confidential, high-profile executive or academic leadership environment. • Strong digital media fluency, including website management and content strategy. • Advanced proficiency in PowerPoint and executive presentation development. • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects under deadline pressure.

Preferred Qualifications: • Advanced degree. • Experience in higher education, public institutions, government or similarly complex organizations. • Experience leading communications strategies for major initiatives or organizational change efforts. • Experience with digital communications strategy, web content governance, and social media. • Experience representing an office on cross-functional committees or advisory councils.

Conditions of Employment:   This position requires additional hours beyond the typical work week, to include occasional evening and weekend work as needed to meet the needs of the Provost’s Office.

Job Duties:   25% - Executive Communications: • Direct the development of executive communications for the Provost, including speeches, major addresses, Board-facing materials, and high-profile written communications. • Oversee Provost-level correspondence strategy, ensuring timely, appropriate, and strategically aligned responses across a range of sensitive and high-visibility issues. • Manage the content and production of the Provost’s weekly messaging outreach. • Ensure all communications authentically reflect the Provost’s voice while reinforcing institutional priorities and academic leadership.

  20% - Strategic Communications Leadership & Institutional Positioning: • Serve as the lead communications strategist for the Provost and the academic enterprise, shaping and executing an integrated communications strategy that advances institutional priorities, academic initiatives, and William & Mary’s strategic plan. • Advise the Provost on high-level messaging, reputational considerations, and positioning of complex academic, financial, and policy matters. • Establish frameworks and standards to ensure consistency, clarity, and alignment with William & Mary’s brand, voice, and editorial direction across all Provost Office communications. • Identify emerging issues and proactively develop messaging strategies that support institutional priorities and mitigate risk. • Translate complex academic and administrative topics—including institutional planning, faculty affairs, and resource allocation—into compelling narratives for internal and external audiences.

  15% - Senior Leadership Partnership & Enterprise Coordination: • Serve as a key strategic partner to the Provost’s Chief of Staff, integrating communications planning with leadership priorities, decision-making, and operational execution. • Partner with the Chief of Staff to develop presentations, slide decks, and supporting materials for the Board of Visitors and other senior leadership engagements. • Coordinate closely with University Communications and Marketing leadership to align Provost Office messaging with university-wide campaigns, media strategy, and brand positioning. • Engage vice provosts, deans, and senior administrators to ensure cohesive messaging across the academic enterprise and elevate unit-level initiatives to institutional visibility.

  15% - Digital Strategy, Web Governance & Audience Engagement: • Provide strategic oversight of the Provost Office’s digital presence, including website governance, content strategy, and integration with broader university platforms. • Produce digital communications that are audience-centered, accessible, and aligned with institutional priorities and brand standards. • Lever

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