Executive Director for Presidential Communications

Job Summary

As part of a collaborative team, the executive director is responsible for leading the development of the president’s communication strategy to elevate the Office of the President and communicate the president’s strategic priorities and initiatives to key stakeholders, including a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, student supporters, alumni, and the broader community. The executive director plays a vital role in shaping and conveying the narrative surrounding institutional goals and the overall mission of the university for both internal and external constituents.

Department Summary

The Office of the President supports the university President who provides leadership for all aspects of Cal Poly operations. The President’s Office is committed to the pursuit of academic excellence, student success, service and community partnership through innovative leadership and collaboration. As stewards of Cal Poly, the presidential staff support the vision of the university president and the polytechnic Learn by Doing educational experience.

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in the development of strategic communications and messaging.
• Experience building and executing comprehensive communications strategies, building compelling internal communications plans, and making complex information comprehensible and compelling for different audiences.
• Expert-level writing skills, with the demonstrated ability to write persuasively on a wide variety of topics and to adapt style for a range of audiences. Thorough knowledge of AP Style, English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Research, data gathering and interview skills to compose effective written materials. Demonstrated skill in crafting speeches & message points covering leadership progress, ceremonial functions, formal events, and announcements. Demonstrated ability to support senior/executive leadership-positioning communication strategies.
• Ability to provide advice and assistance to executive leadership regarding sensitive and/or controversial subjects.
• Effectively perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature, which requires access to information which directly relates to leadership strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and frequently and effectively interact and collaborate with distributed stakeholders to develop communication plans and materials that help enhance awareness of programs, initiatives, and news to drive a single communication strategy.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, with a minimum of three (3) years of experience in executive communications, preferably in higher education or a large, complex organization. Additional years of qualifying experience may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis.

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated hiring range for this role is $125,000 - $175,000 annually. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the individual selected.

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information.

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu .

Equal Opportunity and Excellence in Education and Employment

This position is open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, Cal Poly provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every student and employee has access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities. Cal Poly complies with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws, and CSU’s Nondiscrimination Policy. We prohibit discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all university programs, policies, and practices.

Cal Poly is a diverse community of individuals who represent many perspectives, beliefs and identities, committed to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and intellectually vibrant environment. We cultivate a culture of open dialogue, mutual respect, and belonging to support educational excellence and student success. Through academic programs, student organizations and activities, faculty initiatives, and community partnerships, we encourage meaningful engagement with diverse perspectives. As a higher education institution, we are dedicated to advancing knowledge and empowering individuals to reach their full potential by prioritizing inclusive curriculum development, faculty and staff training, student mentorship, and comprehensive support programs. At Cal Poly, excellence is built on merit, talent, diversity, accessibility, and equal opportunity for all.

Cal Poly is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Supplemental Information

Satisfactory completion of a background check (including a criminal records check) is required for employment. Cal Poly will make a conditional offer of employment, which may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current CSU employee who was conditionally offered the position.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff or management positions. Applicants for staff and management positions must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

This position may be "Designated" under California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This would require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every 2 years thereafter.

Advertised: Jan 03 2025 Pacific Standard Time
Applications close:

Closing Date/Time:

• 

• California Polytechnic State University

• 805-756-2236

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