Executive Speechwriter

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff “for fit” makes significant contributions to Howard University’s overall mission.

At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.

Here is what we offer: 

• Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
• Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
• Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match 
• Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
• Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us! 

https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness

JOB PURPOSE:

Serve as the principal speechwriter and lead writer for strategic, editorial, and ceremonial communications for the President of Howard University. This position requires a seasoned speechwriter who will work closely with the University President, President’s Executive Staff and Vice President and Chief Communications Officer (VP/CCO) to elevate the President’s voice and thought leadership on a range of issues of importance to the President, Howard community, and local, national, and global audiences.

The incumbent will write, review, and edit all presidential communications, including but not limited to speeches, remarks, talking points, quotes, opinion editorials, commentary, columns, ceremonial letters, testimony, updates to the Howard community, video scripts, Board and conference presentations, and executive briefings for internal and external speaking engagements. The incumbent will also provide travel support by advancing and attending designated speaking engagements for the University President.

SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY:

None identified

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Contacts are with the University President, President’s Executive Staff, Cabinet Members, Board of Trustees, faculty, staff, students and alumni; internal and external subject matter experts; event contacts and other key stakeholders.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Lead writing for presidential communications under the guidance of the University Vice President and Chief Communications Officer and in collaboration with the President, President’s Executive Staff, Administration Cabinet members, faculty and staff experts, Office of University Communications (OUC) staff and key internal and external event contacts.
• Attend regularly scheduled meetings with the President/President’s Executive Staff, VP/CCO and OUC staff and the Senior Vice President and Chief Strategy Officer to review and plan for the editorial and communications needs of the President.
• Collaborate with OUC, External Affairs, Institutional Advancement, Office of the Provost, Office of the Secretary, Student Affairs and other key campus partners and designated external contacts to develop a range of communications deliverables in support of internal speaking engagements, external public appearances, media interviews/placements, video messages, and other opportunities that support University brand elevation and reputation management; the President, faculty and staff thought leadership; student and alumni success and donor support.
• Review, proofread and edit presidential communications materials created by campus partners to ensure alignment with the overall University communications strategy, key messages, and protocols.
• Establish processes and methodologies for tracking assignments, approvals, conducting research, information gathering and content development for presidential communications to provide deliverables according to established deadlines.
• Create content and deliverables that are factual, compelling, strategic, informative, suitable to the events and audiences, and timely. Ensure that all final versions of Presidential deliverables are properly filed/archived in the OUC Content Management System (Wrike).
• Collaborate with the VP & CCO and the Office of the President to finalize briefings for public speaking engagements and to determine logistics and staffing needs during the President’s travel.
• Provide travel support to the President for designated events, including travel to advance the President’s arrival and on-site staffing support.
• Perform other related executive communications duties as assigned.

CORE COMPETENCIES:         

• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. Demonstrated speechwriting, editing and strategic messaging and rapid response writing experience, as well as experience implementing communications strategy for senior executives or officials.
• Demonstrated understanding of historical events and context setting to support speechwriting success and proven research skills to support speech content.
• Knowledge, skill, and experience in using the Associate Press (AP) publication style.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to get up-to-speed quickly on new and complex issues. Advanced proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment. Demonstrated ability to manage responsibilities independently and work with minimal supervision. Ability to work well with a wide range of people at all levels of the university, including faculty, staff, students, alumni, and key external contacts.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Journalism, English/Writing, Mass Communications or a related field and a minimum of seven years of executive speechwriting experience in a higher education, government or business environment.
• Ability to respond to requests for executive communications support outside of normal working hours.
• Master’s degree desired, but not required.

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure

Expected Pay Range: $140,000 - $150,000 annually