Executive Communications Specialist

Key Responsibilities

Position Details Position Details Advertising/Posting Title Executive Communications Specialist Posting Summary The Executive Communications Specialist serves as the principal writer and communications professional for the President of the University of Vermont, the state’s flagship public, land-grant research university. This role is responsible for crafting, refining, and stewarding the President’s voice across all platforms and audiences—ranging from major addresses and significant announcements to correspondence, digital presence, event materials, and institutional announcements and related messaging.

The specialist will likewise prepare remarks, announcements, talking points, PowerPoint presentations and other communications on behalf of senior leaders including the Provost and the Vice President for Finance and Administration. Additionally, this position will support communications for the university’s strategic plan, translating executive vision into compelling narratives that build institutional alignment and engagement. As an important point of connection between UVM’s leadership and the broader university community, this position ensures that all communications attributed to the President and other senior leaders clearly and authentically reflect strategic priorities, institutional values, and UVM’s mission of education, research, and public service.

In supporting the rollout and ongoing momentum of the strategic plan, this role will build communications that connect day‑to‑day campus strategies and initiatives back to overarching vision of university leadership. The role ensures consistency, alignment, and strategic coherence between executive messaging and university‑wide communications. This position reports to the Executive Director of University Communications and serves as a part of the Strategic Communications central team, with a dotted line to the Chief of Staff and President’s Office operations.

Demonstrates a sophisticated ability to internalize and authentically represent the President’s voice, tone, and rhetorical style across a wide range of formats and audiences.

Thinks holistically and strategically about how presidential messages are received, what they signal to internal and external audiences, and how they advance UVM’s long‑term institutional goals and public reputation.

Exercises sound judgment and the highest level of discretion when handling sensitive, confidential, or privileged information, maintaining the trust and confidence of the President, the Office of the President and executive leadership.

Manages complex workflows, competing deadlines, and multiple stakeholders with efficiency, professionalism, and attention to detail.

Understands and actively advances UVM’s mission, values, strategic priorities, and brand in all executive communications.

• Bachelor’s degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or a related field.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in executive communications, speech writing, or senior editorial roles.
• Exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with strong attention to nuance, clarity, and accuracy; familiarity with AP style.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build productive relationships across diverse academic and administrative communities.
• Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent projects under tight deadlines.

• Advanced degree in English, Journalism, Communications, or a related field.
• Experience in higher education—particularly at a public or land-grant…