Executive Director, Internal Communications

About the Opportunity

Position Summary

The Executive Director, Internal Communications is a strategic and collaborative communicator that is responsible for developing and executing compelling and actionable communication strategies that support critical strategic initiatives within the Office of the Provost (OTP). As part of a dynamic team, the executive director is responsible for spearheading the development of the division’s communication strategy to elevate the OTP and communicate the provost’s strategic vision to key stakeholders. The executive director provides strategic leadership to realize organizational goals through engaging and creative messaging, executive messaging, and engagement activities. The executive director works in collaboration with cross-functional teams to build meaningful and thoughtful internal communications aimed at informing and connecting Northeastern’s global community. The incumbent is a team player who can masterfully work across a multinational organization and collaborate effectively with key internal stakeholders.

Leadership and Strategic Planning

• Play a leadership role in building stronger connections with university-wide communicators to collectively shape narrative and programs to drive continuous improvement.
• Serve as a strategic partner and adviser to leadership and key stakeholders to ensure that communication is created and shared appropriately; manage expectations to drive positive outcomes.
• Key member of university-wide committees such as the Dates of Recognition Committee to ensure institutional-wide alignment between divisions.
• Build and execute the OTP’s internal communications strategy for proactively engaging stakeholders around the office’s vision, mission, and priorities in support of the academic plan, Experience Unleashed.

Internal Communications

• When appropriate, support the internal communication response to crisis situations which affect organizational reputation.
• Work directly with the provost to craft key messages, talking points, presentations and speeches for internal and external audiences.
• Drive listening and engagement strategies based on delivered communications through survey results analysis, stakeholder feedback, and identified trends.
• Ensure internal communications messages are consistent across all mediums and for different departments of the organization; develop common language and visual representations of complex thoughts and ideas, distill and sharpen key messages.
• Oversee a small team of internal communication professionals to design and implement compelling content across internal communications channels.
• Draft messages, talking points, presentations and speeches for leadership for internal and external audiences.
• Respond to feedback, adjust communications content accordingly.
• Develop key performance metrics for significant aspects of communications and ensure baselines are established prior to execution.
• Build and maintain relationships with the marketing and communications teams within the Colleges, Institutes, ODEI, and other areas that report to the Office of the Provost; Advise on best practices and key priorities.
• Craft and execute compelling content across all internal communications channels (website, town halls, newsletters, email announcements).
• In alignment with External Affairs, lead effective change in internal communication strategy techniques to better leverage opportunities and drive improvements.
• Translate all ideas to creative teams.
• Ensure internal communication messages are consistent with external communication messages.
• In partnership with Human Resources team members, implement major internal initiatives and engagement activities including drafting content for employee recognition programs.
• Develop and maintain relationships with the marketing and communications teams within the Office for External Affairs, Chancellor’s Office, Advancement and other divisions on campus not reporting to the Office of the Provost.

Creative Services and Events

• Oversee relationships with design and writing vendors to support the creation and implementation of high-volume content across multiple platforms.
• Partner with divisions to execute university-wide events and coordinate divisional contributions.
• Oversee events position focused on the execution and experience of events.
• Oversee a design co-op focused on creating print, web and other visual materials for the office.
• Oversee the inception and execution of high-level internal events produced by the OTP including leadership retreats, New Faculty Orientation, and Academic Honors Convocation, among others.
• Lead marketing and communications efforts on divisional events including publicizing through print, web, and other materials.

Other Duties

• Other duties as requested by the Provost that are critical to the advancement of the division's profile through strategic communication and interactions with internal and external constituents.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Strong design skills. Ability to design and develop digital marketing assets such as websites, e-communication, and dynamic presentations.
• Familiarity with AP style.
• Technical and digital experience with diverse platforms, including website creation/maintenance, design (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, WordPress), and social media (e.g., Facebook, Instagram, Twitter).
• Show a demonstrated ability to build relationships and work with distributed stakeholders to drive a single communications strategy. Strong interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated research, data gathering and interview skills to compose effective written materials. Demonstrated success in using analytical, judgment and problem-solving skills to determine needs and arrive at consistently sound conclusions.
• Bachelor's degree required in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism or closely related field; Master's degree preferred. 8-10 years of experience in strategic marketing and/or communications, preferably in higher education, or a complex and fast-moving corporate environment.
• Experience with brand development preferred.
• Exceptional organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously.
• Skills to build compelling internal communications plans; must be able to make complex information comprehensible and compelling for different audiences.
• Highest-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, using correct grammar, punctuation, spelling, editing, formatting, and proofreading. Two to four years of experience writing in a professional environment, preferably in the higher education fields.
• Employ a digital-positive approach, always on the lookout for new and better techniques and platforms for outreach.

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.