Senior Director of Communications

Company Description Are you a high-performer who wants to contribute to a mission-driven and values-based organization? If you are motivated by doing impactful work and making a difference in people’s lives, then the Indiana University Foundation (IUF) is the place for you.
At the IUF, we believe in making the dream of higher education attainable, providing support for life-changing research, and preparing the next generation of leaders.
As a trailblazer among our peers, we provide fundraising leadership and endowment stewardship to support needs and initiatives across all of Indiana University’s campuses.
As part of our team, you will help make IU donor’s dreams last forever.
At the IUF we work hard, celebrate achievements, and foster an environment where everyone’s contributions matter.
We are nimble and innovative, and we want you to bring your ideas and energy to join forces with some of the best talent in our industry.
In addition to being part of a meaningful mission as an IUF employee, you’ll find there are many ways to connect and collaborate.
Our diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives ensure that our colleagues are celebrated for who they are and have a voice.
Our FUNdation (see what we did there?) Committee helps us connect and unwind with food truck lunches, holiday gatherings, costume contests, free snacks, IU spirit-wear Fridays, and spontaneous gestures that surprise and delight.
Our Wellness Committee ensures that the health and well-being of our employees is top of mind, offering yoga, a lunchtime walking group, meditation breaks, the Headspace app, and topical workshops.
We encourage community leadership and service and make space for our staff to pursue their passions.
Our total rewards philosophy ensures that we support employees financially, emotionally, and in their career growth.
If the IUF sounds like a fit for you, we invite you to join us today.
Job Description The Indiana University Foundation (IUF) is seeking a master problem solver, relationship builder, and strategic business partner to serve as Senior Director of Communications.
In this pivotal role, you will be the champion and advocate for the IUF President, the organization, and the entire advancement community.
Your expertise in communication strategies, project management, and execution will play a vital role in supporting the organization's top priorities.
As a key member of the IUF’s President’s Division, you'll thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment, drawing on your strategic communications experience to navigate complexity and ambiguity while mitigating reputational risk.
Your collaborative efforts with executive leaders and various departments across the organization will drive an understanding of organizational priorities among employees, alumni, donors, and constituents.
You will be responsible for a variety of communications on behalf of the IU President, including speech writing and presentations, so experience amplifying the voice of executives is a must.
You will lead a team of both internal and external communication strategists, shaping IUF’s and Indiana University Alumni Association’s (IUAA) communication channels.
This includes social media, magazines, newsletters, presidential touchpoints, the intranet, and all board and press platforms.
As the point person for media relations, you will also spearhead all media relations activities in local and national markets, establishing working relationships with the media and serving as the Foundation spokesperson.
Additionally, you will promote IU advancement experts as speakers, writers, and philanthropic leaders.
You’ll guide team members to design strong, eye-catching content strategies and ignite amplification methods to drive readership and community engagement.
You’ll track, monitor, measure, and report on your team’s efforts and leverage analytics to inform your team's decision-making.
Your role further extends to advancing and driving executive communication, providing strategic counsel, developing programming, and amplifying the IUF President’s professional brand and voice.
Join us in shaping the narrative and strengthening the mission, vision, and purpose of the Indiana University Foundation.
KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES REQUIRED: Proven ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects for a variety of stakeholders successfully and independently.
Stellar written and oral communication skills, with the ability to grasp and translate complex and disparate ideas into cohesive and clear key messages.
Graceful, resilient, and flexible in the face of change.
Proven ability to work under tight deadlines and deliver high-quality work quickly.
A clear understanding of audience segmentation, considering the impact of messaging on all stakeholders.
Expertise in the development of visual content for a variety of platforms to help reach organizational goals.
Media relations experience.
Demonstrated ability to lead and manage a team, keeping organizational values as a guidepost.
Deep crisis-communication experience.
Proven ability to leverage metrics to inform decision-making.
Impeccable problem-solving skills.
Successful and inspiring record of crafting, planning, and executing focused, creative, purpose-driven, and integrated communications strategies to support multiple long-term objectives.
Ability to create appropriate content and tone for a wide variety of voices in a mix of mediums including news releases, executive communications, speeches, emails, blogs, media briefings, and presentations.
Ability to analyze, conceptualize, research, and implement projects and initiatives, even in the absence of existing models.
Collaborative spirit which fosters the building of relationships across all levels of the organization.
Ability to facilitate, negotiate, and resolve conflicting viewpoints.
Strong attention to organization, detail, quality, and timeliness.
The highest level of interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain excellent working relations with colleagues across IUF, the university, donors, alumni, corporate partners, media representatives, and the public.
Ability to be confidential and discreet.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications with an emphasis on Teams, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
A working knowledge of current communications best practices and how to apply them to department initiatives.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications A bachelor’s degree in communications is required.
A minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in marketing and communications is required.
Executive-level/c-suite experience is a must! Preferred Qualifications A master’s degree is preferred.
Combinations of education and experience will be considered.
Additional Information Apply today! We are accepting applications now through February 25th, 2024.
A cover letter articulating your interest in the position is highly recommended for consideration.
In addition, we welcome writing samples or other publications.
This position is located out of our Bloomington, IN office.
Hybrid work is available with at least 3 days per week in the office.
The IUF is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and professional work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.
The IUF will not tolerate any form of discrimination or harassment based on the Individual’s race, ethnicity, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, genetic information, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, ancestry, marital status, protected veteran status, pregnancy, or any other basis prohibited by law.