Leadership Communications Specialist

Position Summary:

The Leadership Communications Specialist (TERM)* is part of the Integrated Communications team within Vanderbilt University Communications and Marketing (MarComm) and is responsible for developing high-quality executive communications and leadership content that support Vanderbilt University priorities and institutional initiatives. This role develops speeches, remarks, talking points and other high-profile communications for Vanderbilt’s Chancellor and other designated university leaders and institutional priorities. Additionally, this role combines strategic thinking, rapid content development, strong editorial judgment and technology-enabled content production to support university leadership, with a primary focus on communications for the Chancellor and senior executives.

Reporting administratively and functionally to the Director of Integrated Communications, this position collaborates across MarComm and university partners to produce speeches, remarks, talking points, scripts, correspondence and other leadership communications that are audience-centered, timely and aligned with Vanderbilt’s voice and strategic priorities. 

The ideal candidate is an agile communicator who can synthesize complex information quickly, leverage emerging technologies and AI-enabled tools to accelerate content development, and refine communications into polished, executive-ready materials in a fast-paced environment.

*NOTE: A Term position is a staff position that exists for a period longer than six months but is not expected to last beyond one year. Although a position may exist for a specified or indefinite period, staff who accept term positions are not guaranteed employment for the entire period; they are employed for indefinite periods within the limit of the appointment. There are no guarantees of continued employment, either within the term or when the term ends.

About the Work Unit:

The Integrated Communications team within Vanderbilt University Communications and Marketing develops and executes strategic communications initiatives that support the university’s mission, priorities and reputation. Through integrated storytelling, executive communications, editorial strategy and cross-channel coordination, the team works to engage key audiences and elevate Vanderbilt’s voice nationally and globally.

This position will work closely with the Director of Integrated Communications, the Office of the Chancellor and communications colleagues across the university to support executive communications initiatives and ensure consistency in messaging, tone and institutional voice.

The Communications and Marketing team at Vanderbilt University is a dynamic and deeply collaborative group. The division, with all of its departments and sub-teams, serves as the institution-wide center of excellence for communications and marketing, developing and executing strategies that inform, engage and inspire others to participate in Vanderbilt University’s global academic and research mission. The division is a key strategic adviser and partner for other divisions in the university, providing comprehensive plans and thoughtful analysis on messaging opportunities and constraints. The Communications and Marketing team continuously seeks innovative solutions to new and emerging challenges in order to deliver results at scale to advance the larger mission, values and priorities of the university.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

• Serves as speechwriter, developing speeches, remarks, talking points, scripts, op-eds, correspondence, stories and other communications materials for designated university leadership.

• Produces high-quality written and multimedia-ready content efficiently and at scale by leveraging strong editorial judgment, strategic thinking and technology-enabled workflows, including AI-assisted content development tools.

• Rapidly synthesizes information from meetings, briefings, research, stakeholder input and institutional priorities into clear, compelling and audience-appropriate communications.

• Uses emerging communications technologies, AI tools and prompt development techniques responsibly and effectively to accelerate drafting, content organization, research synthesis and production workflows while maintaining accuracy, quality and institutional voice.

• Refines, edits and elevates draft materials into polished executive communications that align with leadership voice, tone and strategic objectives.

• Operates effectively in a fast-paced and evolving environment with shifting priorities, compressed timelines and varying levels of ambiguity.

• Partners closely with university leadership and cross-functional teams to translate strategic priorities into actionable communications deliverables.

• Continuously evaluates and adopts new tools, workflows and communications technologies that improve responsiveness, scalability and operational efficiency across executive communications.

• Contributes to broader Integrated Communications and Vanderbilt University Communications and Marketing initiatives and special projects as needed.

• Demonstrates professionalism, sound judgment, discretion and confidentiality in all aspects of the role.

• Demonstrate understanding of the university’s mission, values, goals and priorities and an ability to ensure that all are considered in developing communications strategies.

• Demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion and the importance of equity as an organizational operating principle.

• Communicate and collaborate effectively with a wide range of audiences—including students, faculty, coaches, staff, families, leadership, alumni, donors and vendors.

• Efficiently and effectively manage multiple, complex and results-oriented projects with both quick turn-around requirements and long lead times.

• Operate in a highly organized fashion with attention to detail on all projects. Work outside regular business hours as needed in order to perform job responsibilities, including being officially on-call. 

Supervisory Relationships**:**

This position does not have supervisory responsibility; this position reports administratively and functionally to the Director of Integrated Communications.

Education and Certifications

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.

• A degree in English, Journalism, Communications or a related field is preferred.

Experience and Skills**:**

• At least five years of experience in executive communications, strategic communications, journalism, content development or related fields is necessary.

• Experience producing high-quality executive communications in fast-paced, high-visibility environments is preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to rapidly synthesize complex information into clear, compelling and strategically aligned communications is necessary.

• Exceptional editorial judgment, writing, editing and verbal communication skills are necessary.

• Demonstrated ability to leverage AI-enabled tools, emerging technologies and modern content development workflows to improve speed, efficiency and scalability is necessary.

• Strong prompt development, research synthesis and content refinement capabilities are preferred.

• Ability to balance speed, responsiveness and quality while managing multiple concurrent priorities is necessary.

• Comfort operating in ambiguous, rapidly changing and high-expectation environments is necessary.

• Ability to adapt messaging, tone and communication style to reflect executive leadership voices and varied audiences is necessary.

• Strong judgment, discretion, professionalism and ability to manage confidential information are necessary. 

• Self-motivation, adaptability, intellectual curiosity and a solutions-oriented mindset are necessary.

At Vanderbilt University , our work - regardless of title or role - is in service to an important and noble mission in which every member of our community serves in advancing knowledge and transforming lives on a daily basis. Located in Nashville, Tennessee, on a 330+ acre campus and arboretum dating back to 1873, Vanderbilt is proud to have been named as one of “America’s Best Large Employers” as well as a top employer in Tennessee and the Nashville metropolitan area by Forbes for several years running. We welcome those who are interested in learning and growing professionally with an employer that strives to create, foster and sustain opportunities as an employer of choice.

We understand you have a choice when choosing where to work and pursue a career. We understand you are unique and have a story. We want to hear it. We encourage you to apply today so that you might become a part of our story.

Vanderbilt University is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.