Executive Director, Issues Management

External Applicants:

Please ensure all required documents are ready to upload before beginning your application, including your resume, cover letter, and any additional materials specified in the job description.

Cover Letter and Supporting Documents:

• Navigate to the "My Experience" application page.

• Locate the "Resume/CV" document upload section at the bottom of the page.

• Use the "Select Files" button to upload your cover letter, resume, and any other required supporting documents. You can select multiple files.

Important Note: The "My Experience" page is the only opportunity to attach your cover letter, resume, and supporting documents. You will not be able to modify your application or add attachments after submission.

Current Employees:

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A cover letter is required for all positions; optional for facilities, campus services, and hospitality roles unless otherwise specified.

Job Description Summary

Job Description

Essential Functions:

• Manages and refines a comprehensive crisis communications strategy to reinforce the University's image and reputation and ensure alignment with its mission and values.
• Drafts and edits communications for senior leadership, ensuring clarity and alignment with strategic objectives.
• Provides timely, accurate information to all stakeholders during a crisis, overseeing and coordinating communications to ensure consistency and alignment.
• Develops and maintains internal workflows, decision-making structures, and monitoring/reporting systems for crisis management.
• Leads preparedness efforts, including developing communication tools (templates, guidelines) and conducting regular training sessions and simulations. Collaborates on maintaining University messaging systems and ensuring their integrity and effectiveness.
• Manages relationships with the University's Messaging Committee, Incident Management team, and other key stakeholders, including University Police, to ensure a unified crisis response.
• Oversees relationships with external communications partners, including Public Information Officers (PIOs) of emergency response partners. Serves as the University's spokesperson during crises when necessary.
• Identifies potential risks and vulnerabilities, develops proactive plans, and recommends initiatives to enhance the University's reputation and build trust.
• Analyzes goals and implements programs to enhance and shape the Wake Alert brand. Works with teams to monitor media and social media effectiveness.
• Conducts ongoing and annual assessments of communication strategies and their effectiveness in maintaining brand reputation and achieving communications goals. Reports key outcomes and performance indicators.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or a related field
• Minimum of 10 years in crisis communications, corporate communications, public relations, reputation management, or related fields. Proven experience working with high-level leaders and managing diverse communication strategies.
• Strong belief in truth and transparency as key communication principles.
• Ability to lead with empathy, emotional intelligence, and patience in high-pressure situations.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic decision-making, especially under stress; adaptability, resilience, and risk management. Strength to assume risk and deal with consequences.
• Exceptional ability to craft and deliver strategies and messaging on sensitive issues for diverse audiences, both internal and external, under tight deadlines.
• Strategic thinker with a track record of developing and executing multi-faceted communication plans, including optimal channel usage and timing.
• Strong news judgment with an understanding of brand alignment in response strategies.
• Deep understanding of news and social media dynamics, including stakeholder interactions across various channels.
• Excellent organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and proactively troubleshoot.
• Experience in project management, including drafting multi-faceted communications plans and monitoring, analyzing, and reporting on outcomes.
• Exceptional interpersonal communication and relationship management abilities. Ability to gain buy-in from project stakeholders.
• Collaborative mindset, with the ability to connect information, objectives, and stakeholders across the organization.
• Familiarity with relevant laws and regulations related to crisis management.
• Willingness to work nights, weekends, and holidays if required, including regularly being on-call.
• Respect for the dignity and abilities of all people.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Master's degree and/or related certifications preferred.
• Experience working in higher education environment preferred.

Accountabilities:

• Responsible for own work.
• The Executive Director is also accountable for the work of advisory groups and task forces and the work of external contractors.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Conditions:

Sedentary work primarily involving sitting/standing; communicating with others to exchange information; repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands, and/or fingers; and assessing the accuracy, neatness, and thoroughness of the work assigned. No adverse environmental conditions expected.

Additional Job Description

Time Type Requirement

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes all qualified candidates to apply without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and military or veteran status.

Accommodations for Applicants

If you are an individual with a disability and need an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact AskHR@wfu.eduor (336) 758-4700.