CGU- Director of Executive and Advancement Communications

Claremont Graduate University (CGU) seeks an accomplished writer, editor, and communications strategist to serve as Director of Executive and Advancement Communications for a 12-month term appointment during a consequential period of institutional transformation. 

Reporting to the Vice President for Advancement, the Director will lead the development, shaping, and coordination of executive communications that articulate CGU’s direction, priorities, decisions, and evolving story to internal and external audiences. Working closely with the President, executive leadership, and other university partners, the Director will help ensure that communications are clear, consistent, timely, credible, and aligned with the university’s strategic objectives. 

This is a highly collaborative and hands-on role for an exceptional writer and editor who can translate complex institutional issues into compelling, engaging communications. The Director will play a particularly important role in communicating CGU’s transformation — helping university leaders explain not only what is changing, but why it matters and how those changes advance CGU’s mission and future. 

The Director will also serve as a key point of coordination for media relations, including responding to media inquiries, preparing university leaders for interviews, and helping shape external messaging on issues affecting the institution. The ability to act proactively, strategically, and punctually is essential. 

Salary Range: $90,000- $105,000 

Applicants, please note that actual compensation is determined by several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job-related skills, depth of experience, certifications, relevant education or training, and specific work location, among others. The offered wage or salary is only one aspect of an employee's total compensation 

This is a temporary, one-year appointment with the potential for extension based on institutional needs. The expected start date for this position will be in 2026. 

Key Responsibilities 

Executive Communications 

• Lead the development of communications for the President and other senior university leaders, working in close partnership with the Vice President for Advancement and Associate Vice President of Marketing to ensure alignment across executive, advancement, and institutional communications. 

• Write, shape, and edit speeches, remarks, presentations, correspondence, institutional messages, statements, opinion pieces, and other executive materials, capturing the distinct voice of university leaders while advancing CGU’s priorities and institutional narrative. 

• Translate complex academic, financial, operational, and strategic matters into clear and accessible communications for internal and external audiences. 

• Provide senior-level editorial judgment and counsel on message, tone, timing, audience, and communications strategy. 

Transformation and Institutional Communications 

• Lead communications supporting CGU’s institutional transformation, helping executive leadership articulate the university’s direction, priorities, decisions, milestones, and progress. 

• Develop clear narrative and messaging frameworks for complex or evolving issues, anticipating stakeholder questions, and adapting communications quickly as circumstances change. 

• Coordinate the sequencing of major institutional communications across audiences and channels in partnership with Advancement and Marketing. 

• Ensure that communications about institutional change are timely, accurate, consistent, and grounded in CGU’s mission and long-term direction. 

Media Relations and Issues Management 

• Serve as a principal point of contact for media inquiries and coordinate institutional responses in consultation with appropriate university leadership. 

• Develop media statements, talking points, background materials, interview preparation, and other external communications, and prepare senior leaders for media and public engagements. 

• Anticipate and monitor emerging issues that may affect the university’s reputation, advising leadership on communications strategy and leading rapid-response and crisis communications when needed. 

• Develop and maintain productive relationships with journalists and media contacts. 

Editorial Support and Institutional Storytelling 

• Partner with Advancement colleagues to strengthen the quality, clarity, and consistency of university content and storytelling across platforms and audiences. 

• Provide senior-level editorial review and guidance on priority stories, features, profiles, campaign content, institutional narratives, and other high-visibility communications. 

• Help identify, write, and shape compelling stories that demonstrate CGU’s academic strengths, student and alumni impact, faculty expertise, philanthropic priorities, and distinctive role in graduate education. 

• Support the development of strong narrative frameworks, messaging, and editorial standards that enable Marketing and Advancement teams to create content that is accurate, engaging, and aligned with institutional priorities. 

Strategic Communications Counsel 

• Serve as a trusted communications advisor to the President and executive leadership, working in close partnership with the Vice President for Advancement and Associate Vice President of Marketing on institutional positioning, reputation, and major communications priorities. 

• Identify opportunities to strengthen CGU’s external profile by communicating the university’s distinctive academic strengths, impact, leadership, and future direction. 

• Help ensure alignment across executive communications, advancement communications, marketing and brand communications, and other major university messaging. 

• Exercise sound judgment in confidential, sensitive, and rapidly evolving situations, proactively presenting leadership with communications options, implications, and recommended approaches. 

Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree and significant professional experience in executive communications, strategic communications, journalism, public relations, higher education, or a related field , and 10 or more years of relevant professional experience. 

• Exceptional writing, editing, and storytelling skills, with strong editorial judgment — the ability to identify the essential message within complicated subject matter and shape it for different audiences and purposes. 

• Demonstrated experience developing communications for organizational change, institutional transformation, reputation management, crisis communications, and other high-stakes environments. 

• Proven ability to communicate complex or rapidly evolving issues clearly and effectively to multiple constituencies. 

• Experience working directly with university presidents, CEOs, or other senior executives, providing candid and strategic communications counsel, with an understanding of the collaborative and iterative nature of that work. 

• Experience managing media inquiries, developing institutional responses, and preparing senior leaders for interviews and external engagements. 

• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, shifting circumstances, and tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment. 

• High degree of discretion, diplomacy, and professionalism when handling confidential or sensitive institutional matters. 

• Strong understanding of the audiences, governance structures, and communications dynamics characteristic of higher education or similarly complex institutions. 

• Ability to work collaboratively across executive leadership, Advancement, Marketing, academic leadership, and other university functions while maintaining a consistent institutional voice and message.  

Leadership Characteristics 

The successful candidate will be: 

• An exceptional writer who values clarity over jargon. 

• A sophisticated editor who can strengthen both message and voice, often in nuanced ways. 

• A strategic thinker who understands that communications can help institutions navigate change, build trust, and create understanding. 

• Comfortable operating in an environment where circumstances and information may evolve quickly. 

• Diplomatic but willing to offer candid counsel to senior leaders. 

• Able to rapidly develop fluency in complex subjects. 

• Highly collaborative while also capable of independently driving work from concept through completion. 

• Attentive to accuracy, confidentiality, and institutional reputation. 

Hours & Classification Status 

• HOURS: The regular work schedule for this position is generally Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Work hours and schedules may vary based on university, departmental, and operational needs. 

• This position is primarily on-site; however, flexible or remote work arrangements may be available with supervisor approval and are subject to operational needs and university practices. Any flexible work arrangement may be modified or discontinued as business needs change. 

• Classification: Exempt 

• Appointment Type: Temporary, 1 year (with the potential for extension; continued employment contingent upon institutional needs and available funding). 

• Benefits Eligibility: This temporary position is benefits-eligible under CGU’s staff policies. 

Benefits 
We are committed to supporting the well-being and professional development of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes: 

• Medical, Dental and Vision insurance 

• Group life insurance 

• Retirement plan with a 8% employer contribution — no employee match required (after 1 year of service) 

• Generous paid time off, including vacation, sick leave, and holidays 

• Winter closure in December, subject to institutional approval 

• Tuition reimbursement program available to eligible employees and their dependents for approved coursework, subject to plan guidelines and institutional policies 

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None. 

REPORTS TO:  VP of Advancement   

Physical Activities 

Ascending or descending ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like. 
☐ Never         ☒ Occasionally           ☐ Constantly 

Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces. 
☐ Never         ☒ Occasionally           ☐ Constantly 

Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods. 
☐ Never         ☐ Occasionally           ☒ Constantly 

Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another. 
☐ Never         ☒ Occasionally           ☐ Constantly 

Adjusting or moving objects up to __ pounds in all directions. 
☐ Never         ☒ Occasionally           ☐ Constantly 

Communicating with others to exchange information. 
☐ Never         ☐ Occasionally           ☒ Constantly 

Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers. 
☐ Never         ☐ Occasionally           ☒ Constantly 

Operating machinery and/or power tools. 
☒ Never         ☐ Occasionally           ☐ Constantly 

Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment. 
☐ Never         ☒ Occasionally           ☐ Constantly 

Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned. 
☐ Never         ☐ Occasionally           ☒ Constantly 

Environmental Conditions 

Low temperatures. 
☒ Never         ☐ Occasionally           ☐ Constantly 

High temperatures. 
☐ Never         ☒ Occasionally           ☐ Constantly 

Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind. 
☐ Never         ☒ Occasionally           ☐ Constantly 

Noisy environments. 
☐ Never         ☒ Occasionally           ☐ Constantly 

Hazardous conditions. 
☒ Never         ☐ Occasionally           ☐ Constantly 

Poor ventilation. 
☒ Never         ☐ Occasionally           ☐ Constantly 

Small and/or enclosed spaces. 
☐ Never         ☒ Occasionally           ☐ Constantly 

No adverse environmental conditions expected. 
☒ Never         ☐ Occasionally           ☐ Constantly 

Physical Demands 

Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing. 
☐ Never         ☐ Occasionally           ☒ Constantly 

Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds. 
☐ Never         ☒ Occasionally           ☐ Constantly 

Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds. 
☒ Never         ☐ Occasionally           ☐ Constantly 

Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more. 
☒ Never         ☐ Occasionally           ☐ Constantly 

EEO Statement:  

Claremont Graduate University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender and/ or gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, veteran or military status, sex, age, sexual orientation, or physical disability or any other legally protected basis in its employment practice and in admission of students to educational programs and activities in accordance with the requirement of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title I of the American Disabilities Act of 1990 and other applicable laws. CGU is committed to affirmative action in employment practices regarding ethnic minorities, the physically challenged, Vietnam-era veterans, and women. This job description defines the essential or fundamental job duties of the employment position. It is assumed that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of this job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others. Qualified candidates of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels. 

This job description defines the essential or fundamental job duties of the employment position.  It is assumed that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of this job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others. 

It may also include marginal functions, generally defined within Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act. 

Successful completion of criminal background and DMV checks required for final candidate.