As a UW employee, you have a unique opportunity to change lives on our campuses, in our state and around the world. UW employees offer their boundless energy, creative problem solving skills and dedication to build stronger minds and a healthier world.

UW faculty and staff also enjoy outstanding benefits, professional growth opportunities and unique resources in an environment noted for diversity, intellectual excitement, artistic pursuits and natural beauty.

The Executive Communications Specialist (ECS) composes, edits and manages executive correspondence, primarily for the UW president. This person works closely with the Office of the President (OOP) to draft a variety of presidential letters, emails and other communications as needed to a wide range of audiences. They serve as the project manager and primary liaison between University Advancement units and the OOP to ensure that all presidential correspondence consistently meets the highest professional standards. They also provide research, writing, editorial and production support to units as needed to facilitate gold-standard presidential correspondence.

As a member of UMAC, the ECS will also work on a variety of annual and ad hoc projects that involve presidential communications in service of communicating the goals and vision of the University’s advancement and fundraising efforts within brand guidelines. They interact directly with the Offices of the President, Provost, Regents, Vice President for University Advancement, Student Life and other executives, directors, fundraisers faculty and staff university-wide in the performance of duties and in support of efforts to increase positive awareness of and philanthropic contributions to the University of Washington.

Duties and Responsibilities

Writing and Strategic Communications

Compose correspondence to multiple UW constituencies for presidential or executive signature.

Conduct appropriate research to ensure presidential correspondence is accurate and highly-tailored to the appropriate audience.

Collaborate on ad hoc and annual advancement-related communications projects that involve presidential correspondence and communications.

Write and/or edit content for advancement-related publications, event collateral, policies and procedures and other communications as needed.

Attend and contribute to regular team meetings.
Project management

Serve as project manager to ensure that all correspondence requested of the president is completed smoothly and efficiently in accordance with best practices and established processes.

Ensure all presidential correspondence is routed to OOP with minimal need for review and that it follows established guidelines, processes and procedures of the OOP.

Prevent or resolve communications-related problems and keep projects on track according to best practices and established processes.

Cross-unit liaison

Act as liaison between advancement units and the OOP by producing and project tracking all presidential correspondence to both adhere to presidential correspondence standards and meet the unit partner’s strategic objectives.

Review all presidential correspondence submitted by unit partners for accuracy, style and tone, grammar, word choice, sentence structure, clarity, content, formatting, punctuation and spelling and route to OOP according to protocol.

Serve as contact for advancement-related questions about presidential correspondence and activities.

Key Competencies

Core
Valuing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging: Respects, values and contributes to the UW’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
Effective communications: Expresses oneself clearly and empathetically in interactions with others in all forms of communication, i.e., verbal and written, one-on-one and group, etc.
Critical Thinking: Obtains, analyzes and evaluates information effectively in the face of ambiguity. Makes appropriate decisions based on relevant information and experience.
Interpersonal Awareness: Builds and maintains positive relationships and actively contributes as a member of working teams to achieve results.
Professional Credibility: Takes responsibility for meeting goals, objectives, obligations, and solving problems while representing the mission, vision and values of the organization.
Ethics and Trust: Models and upholds the values of candor, openness, inclusiveness and honesty despite internal and external pressures. Acts consistently with Washington State ethical guidelines and organizational core values and beliefs.

Functional Expertise
Organizational Acumen: Able to size up a situation, balance reason and the interest of others, and act in a decisive, timely and appropriate manner that is congruent with the organization's values, goals and mission to achieve success.
Planning & Implementing: Able to develop strategies, measures for success and feasible timelines for successful project implementation and execution.
Managing Conflict: Able to recognize and address conflicts and disagreements in a safe and respectful environment, manages conflicts collaboratively, and builds consensus with the best interests.

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in English, communications or journalism or equivalent combination of education and experience from which comparable knowledge and skills have been acquired as a substitute for degree.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Experience working in higher education, familiarity with UW policies and procedures and knowledge of UW Advancement are a plus.

Experience working in executive communications, donor relations, fundraising, public relations or a related field.

Project management skills are a plus

Conditions of Employment
Must be available for majority in-person work for at least a portion of each week, including on an as-needed basis, however a hybrid in-person and remote schedule is acceptable.


Application Process:
The application process for UW positions may include completion of a variety of online assessments to obtain additional information that will be used in the evaluation process. These assessments may include Work Authorization, Cover Letter and/or others. Any assessments that you need to complete will appear on your screen as soon as you select “Apply to this position”. Once you begin an assessment, it must be completed at that time; if you do not complete the assessment you will be prompted to do so the next time you access your “My Jobs” page. If you select to take it later, it will appear on your "My Jobs" page to take when you are ready. Please note that your application will not be reviewed, and you will not be considered for this position until all required assessments have been completed.