Stanford

Director of Communications, Stanford Race Institute (Hybrid Opportunity)

The School of Humanities and Sciences (H&S) is the foundation of a liberal arts education at Stanford. The school encompasses 23 departments and 25 interdisciplinary programs. H&S is home to fundamental and applied research, where free, open, and critical inquiry is pursued across disciplines. As the university’s largest school, H&S serves as the foundation of a Stanford undergraduate education no matter which discipline students pursue as a major. Graduate students work alongside world-renowned faculty to pursue and shape foundational research that leads to breakthroughs and discoveries that shed new light on the past, influence the present, and shape the future. Together, faculty and students in H&S engage in inspirational teaching, learning, and research every day.

Department Description:

Racial and ethnic divisions are inextricably linked to every major challenge facing humanity.

The Stanford Institute on Race (placeholder name) harnesses the expertise of its globally recognized faculty, research centers, and the University’s resources to work toward racial justice so that all people can thrive.

A new institute for the study of race - The Institute is designed to produce knowledge for bold solutions to realize racial justice and understanding. Drawing on expertise from across the University’s schools and departments, and in partnership with external partners, the Institute will be a global center of gravity. It will provide opportunities for a community of scholars and thought leaders, including government agencies, nonprofits, and corporations, to collaborate to move us closer to a just society. The Institute will also lead in developing and disseminating basic and solutions-oriented research and insights. Core activities of the Institute include:

• Providing infrastructure, including financial support, a welcoming and functional space, and personnel to advance the core work required to develop knowledge and solutions that contribute to racial justice;
• Robust support for collaborations with external partners to identify, design, and implement solutions-focused research in domains demanding urgent attention;
• Activities focused on driving pragmatic solutions designed to produce racial justice; and
• Programming to engage the public, academics, and policymakers.

Position Summary: The Stanford Institute on Race is seeking a Communications Director

The Communications Director will work under the general supervision of the Executive Director and must possess expertise and experience creating communications strategies, including crisis response practices, for academic units. This is a critical position that will work closely with the Faculty Co-Directors and Executive Director during the startup phase of the Institute, taking the lead on communications matters for the Institute, including overseeing the development of the Institute’s website, and creating and implementing the Institute’s overall communications strategy. It is critical that this position exhibit the abilities to practice sound judgment and decision-making, effective written, oral, and digital communication, strong attention to detail, and respectful relationship management, both internally and with external partners and the media.

This is a 100% FTE, continuing, exempt position. This position will be based on the Stanford campus and will be considered for an option of telecommuting (hybrid of working on-site and off-site), subject to operational need. 

If you believe that this opportunity is a match for your knowledge, skills and abilities, we encourage you to apply. For consideration, please submit a resumé and cover letter.

Thank you for considering employment opportunities with the School of Humanities and Sciences.

CORE DUTIES*:

• Develop strategic direction and oversee the implementation of long- and short-term communication plans related to the Institute.
• Devise and implement creative, compelling, and effective means of communicating the innovations, academic excellence, and essential nature of the Institute.
• Provide leadership to achieve communication goals supporting the Institute’s communication strategy, including hiring and retaining staff, career coaching, personal development for direct reports, and accountability for the performance of employees.
• Support the Institute’s crisis communication response including emergency matters.
• Collaborate with institutional communicators to ensure the Institute’s strategic plans and activities are aligned with overall university outreach, communication and media relations content and other areas.
• Provide public relations support for audiences that are both internal and external to the university, including on a national and international scale.
• Develop, execute, edit, and oversee written communications of a complex nature, including key content messages for speeches, presentations, magazine columns, correspondence, social media posts, and opinion pieces.
• Develop strategies for brand management, reputation management and issues management.
• Design and implement effective media relations programs with routine outreach to local, national, and international news organizations.
• Design and implement social media strategies.
• Liaise with staff responsible for a variety of community outreach activities.
• Establish relationships with key reporters and editors at top-tier and influential media outlets.
• Leverage relationships with key reporters and editors, media, community and/or government leaders.
• Participate in strategic planning, financial and business planning, special projects, and other assignments pertaining to the mission of communications.
• Develop strategic comprehensive communication and PR plans to meet the needs of key audiences.
• May supervise others.
• - Other duties may also be assigned

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor's degree and eight years of relevant experience or combination of education and relevant experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, outstanding research and analytical skills.
• Ability to lead collaborative efforts with internal communications groups across campus.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills in working with a variety of people.
• Proven ability to manage issues with diverse and competing interests.
• Strong communications skills and presence at all levels and for all audiences.
• Strong influencing, negotiating, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to earn credibility and influence others.
• Demonstrated ability in synthesizing complex materials and communicating highly technical information in a manner easily understood.
• Creative thinker with a desire and ability to seek and optimize opportunities.
• Proven management skills and the ability to build and sustain a best-in-class communications team.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Mastery of skills in journalism and public relations.
• Demonstrated public speaking skills.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS*:

• Constantly perform desk-based computer tasks.
• Frequently stand/walk, sit, use a telephone, grasp lightly/fine manipulation, speaking.
• Occasionally grasp forcefully, writing by hand.
• Rarely sort/file paperwork.
• - Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of the job.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Occasional work on evenings and weekend.

The expected pay range for this position is $132,000 to $160,000 per annum. Stanford University provides pay ranges representing its good faith estimate of what the university reasonably expects to pay for a position. The pay offered to a selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal equity, geographic location, and external market pay for comparable jobs.

At Stanford University, base pay represents only one aspect of the comprehensive rewards package. The Cardinal at Work website (https://cardinalatwork.stanford.edu/benefits-rewards) provides detailed information on Stanford’s extensive range of benefits and rewards offered to employees. Specifics about the rewards package for this position may be discussed during the hiring process.

Why Stanford is for You

Imagine a world without search engines or social platforms. Consider lives saved through first-ever organ transplants and research to cure illnesses. Stanford University has revolutionized the way we live and enrich the world. Supporting this mission is our diverse and dedicated 17,000 staff. We seek talent driven to impact the future of our legacy. Our culture and unique perks empower you with:

• Freedom to grow. We offer career development programs, tuition reimbursement, or audit a course. Join a film screening, or listen to a renowned author or global leader speak.
• A caring culture. We provide superb retirement plans, generous time-off, and family care resources.
• A healthier you. Climb our rock wall, or choose from hundreds of health or fitness classes at our world-class exercise facilities. We also provide excellent health care benefits.
• Discovery and fun. Stroll through historic sculptures, trails, and museums.
• Enviable resources. Enjoy free commuter programs, ridesharing incentives, discounts and more.

The job duties listed are typical examples of work performed by positions in this job classifications and are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, tasks and responsibilities. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending on department or program needs without changing the general nature and scope of the job or level of responsibility. Employees may also perform other duties as assigned. 

Consistent with its obligations under the law, the University will provide reasonable accommodation to any employee with a disability who requires accommodation to perform the essential functions of their job.

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

Additional Information

• Schedule: Full-time
• Job Code: 4219
• Employee Status: Regular
• Grade: K
• Requisition ID: 101853
• Work Arrangement : Hybrid Eligible