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Title: Director of Presidential Communications

VP Area: Marketing & Communications

Department: Marketing & Communications

Work Schedule: Fixed daytime hours Monday-Friday

Telework Availability: Hybrid Available

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employee Classification: Regular full-time (staff 30+ hours)

Hours per week: 40

Months per year: 12

Require application Materials: Resume and Cover Letter

Job Purpose:

The Director of Presidential Communications leads the creation of speeches, remarks, strategic correspondence, and public communications for the President of Gonzaga University. This position elevates the President’s visibility, reputation and voice, ensuring it is authentic, mission-driven, and consistent with Gonzaga’s strategic priorities and brand. The Director creates and executes public relations strategies and communications campaigns that are compelling, audience-centered, and that engage diverse audiences ranging from students, faculty, and staff to alumni, policymakers, the media, and more. This role may serve as a spokesperson for the President when necessary, attending events with or on behalf of the President, and also provide consulting services or provide communications support to members of the President’s Cabinet or other executive leadership when necessary.

Essential Functions:

• 30% - Strategic Communications & Planning
  • Serve as a trusted advisor to the President and Chief of Staff on sensitive communications.
  • Collaborate with the Sr. Director of Strategic Communications, Assistant Director of Media relations, and other to develop a comprehensive communications and media strategies that highlight the President’s vision and elevate Gonzaga’s profile nationally and internationally.
  • Partner with Advancement, Mission, Enrollment, the Provost and other units to ensure the President’s voice is reflected across key institutional initiatives.
  • Manage an editorial calendar and coordinate communications planning with internal stakeholders, providing strategic counsel on the timing, tone, and platform for presidential messaging.
  • Implement review processes and regularly evaluate communication effectiveness, especially in response to issues or major initiatives. 
• 30% - Content Development
  • Write and edit content for speeches/remarks, talking points, op-eds, video scripts, social media, podcast strategic correspondence, digital content, and event messaging for the President.
  • Develop content for key institutional publications and the President’s regular newsletter, ensuring alignment in tone, voice, and message.
  • Manage communications for major presidential events, institutional milestones, and ceremonies including commencements, town halls, and donor engagements. Manage Presidential social media accounts, collaborating with social media team to ensure alignment between flagship University accounts and find opportunities for collaboration with other University-related accounts. Provide writing and editing support for Cabinet members as needed.
• 30% - Media & Public Relations; Crisis Communications and Reputational Management
  • Monitor media and social channels for emerging issues and provide daily news briefings to the President.
  • Monitor media and social channels to provide daily updates for the President and Cabinet on topics relevant to higher education, Gonzaga University, and the region.
  • Collaborate with the Senior Director of Strategic Communications with crisis communication planning and execution for the President.
• 10% - General Support
  • Work directly with the President, typically on a daily basis; collaborate with colleagues in the Office of the President, Cabinet, and other key stakeholders as needed.
  • Maintain strong relationships with departmental colleagues, internal partners, and external consultants, partners, business leaders and community leaders to support strategic communications initiatives.
  • Serve as a mentor and resource for staff and student workers. Perform additional duties essential to the role’s function.

• Additional Duties as Assigned by the Department

Educational Requirement:

Bachelor's Degree

Years of Related Experience Requirement:

8+ years

In lieu of the educational qualifications, candidates may qualify with equivalent professional experience at a ratio of one year of experience for each year of required education. 

Certifications and/or Licensures:

None required

Skills & Abilities:

• Bachelor’s degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, business administration, or a related field.
• Eight (8) years of progressive responsibility in executive, strategic, or public affairs communications, with demonstrated strength in writing and editing.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills across print, digital, and multimedia platforms.
• Proven ability to develop and execute high-impact communication strategies and campaigns.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with a professional, persuasive, and adaptable tone.
• Experience supporting senior executives or public figures.
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear, compelling messaging for diverse audiences.
• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills; ability to collaborate across all levels of an organization.
• Ability to manage confidential and high-stakes communications.
• High emotional intelligence, sound judgment, and discretion when handling sensitive or confidential information.
• Proficient in content creation, brand alignment, and digital communications, including social media strategy.
• Strong organizational, time management, and multitasking abilities in a fast-paced environment.
• Creative and strategic thinker with a proactive, detail-oriented, and mission-driven mindset.
• Highly skilled in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel) and proficient with online meeting and collaboration tools (e.g. Zoom) and online project management tools.
• Ability to monitor and respond to internal and external developments relevant to institutional priorities.
• Ability to work outside of typical office hours (M-F, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.), including nights and weekends, as needed to attend events or assist with timely communications.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in public relations, communications, journalism, marketing, business administration, or a related field.
• Experience in collaborative speechwriting.
• Experience working in Higher Education Institution.
• Experience working directly with the president, CEO, or top leader of a large organization strongly preferred.
• Experience with digital publishing tools (especially website content management systems and social media platforms) strongly preferred.
• Familiarity with the Jesuit mission, Ignatian pedagogy, and Catholic teachings strongly preferred.

Physical & On-Campus Requirements:

In-Office Presence - Ability to work on-site in typical office setting and participate in in-person meetings with colleagues: 5 days/week

Standing/Sitting - Ability to remain in a stationary position for a prolonged period: Daily (>75% of time)

Walking - Ability to move about on foot to accomplish tasks: Often (50%-75% of time)

Lifting/Carrying - Ability to move or transport objects up to a specified weight (e.g., 50 pounds): Rarely (1%-49% of time)

Attention to Detail - Ability to focus on detailed tasks for extended periods: Daily (>75% of time)

Problem-Solving - Ability to identify and resolve issues effectively: Often (50%-75% of time)

The budgeted salary range that the University reasonably expects to offer for this position: $99,000 - $103,000

Pay Range:

Minimum Salary (Annualized 12 months and 40 hours/week): $99,450

Midpoint Salary (Annualized 12 months and 40 hours/week): $132,600

Maximum Salary (Annualized 12 months and 40 hours/week): $165,750

Is this position eligible for relocation reimbursement or a signing bonus?: Yes