Job Summary

As part of a collaborative team, the executive director is responsible for leading the development of the president’s communication strategy to elevate the Office of the President and communicate the president’s strategic priorities and initiatives to key stakeholders, including a diverse group of faculty, staff, students, student supporters, alumni, and the broader community. The executive director plays a vital role in shaping and conveying the narrative surrounding institutional goals and the overall mission of the university for both internal and external constituents.

Department Summary

The Office of the President supports the university President who provides leadership for all aspects of Cal Poly operations. The President’s Office is committed to the pursuit of academic excellence, student success, service and community partnership through innovative leadership and collaboration. As stewards of Cal Poly, the presidential staff support the vision of the university president and the polytechnic Learn by Doing educational experience.

Key Qualifications

• Demonstrated expertise in the development of strategic communications and messaging.
• Experience building and executing comprehensive communications strategies, building compelling internal communications plans, and making complex information comprehensible and compelling for different audiences.
• Expert-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. Thorough knowledge of AP Style, English grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Research, data gathering and interview skills to compose effective written materials. Demonstrated skill in crafting speeches & message points covering leadership progress, ceremonial functions, formal events, and announcements. Demonstrated ability to support senior/executive leadership-positioning communication strategies.
• Ability to provide advice and assistance to executive leadership regarding sensitive and/or controversial subjects.
• Effectively perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature, which requires access to information which directly relates to leadership strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and frequently and effectively interact and collaborate with distributed stakeholders to develop communication plans and materials that help enhance awareness of programs, initiatives, and news to drive a single communication strategy.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree and seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, with a minimum of three (3) years of experience in executive communications, preferably in higher education or a large, complex organization. Additional years of qualifying experience may be substituted for the required degree on a year-for-year basis.

Salary and Benefits

The anticipated hiring range for this role is $125,000 - $160,000 annually. Note that the offer is calculated based on the background and relevant years of experience of the individual selected.

Cal Poly offers a best-in-class benefits program, including health, dental and vision insurance, retirement participation in the Public Employees' Retirement System, and educational benefits for eligible employees. See our benefits website for additional information. 

Cal Poly

Cal Poly is a nationally-ranked public university located in San Luis Obispo, California, and known for its Learn by Doing philosophy. Each year more than 20,000 top-tier students come to San Luis Obispo to put knowledge into action, taking their learning outside the classroom as they prepare for careers in engineering, agriculture, science, business, humanities and the built environment. Cal Poly’s hands-on philosophy, small class sizes and close student-faculty mentorships result in graduates ready from day one to impact their communities, California and the world. For more information, visit calpoly.edu.

Diversity Statement

At Cal Poly, we believe that cultivating an environment that embraces and promotes diversity is fundamental to the success of our students, our employees and our community. Bringing people together from different backgrounds, experiences and value systems fosters the innovative and creative thinking that exemplifies Cal Poly's values of free inquiry, cultural and intellectual diversity, mutual respect, civic engagement, and social and environmental responsibility.

Cal Poly's commitment to diversity informs our efforts in recruitment, hiring and retention. Cal Poly is an equal opportunity employer. 

Supplemental Information

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with Cal Poly. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that Cal Poly has designated as sensitive.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

This position may be "Designated" under California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This would require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every 2 years thereafter.

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo is not a sponsoring agency for staff positions (i.e. H-1B visas).