Internationally recognized for its immersive model of art and design education, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) is a private college and vibrant creative community that cultivates a critical exchange among artists, designers, and scholars—and the dynamics that shape our future.
In 2022, RISD welcomed Crystal Williams as its 18th president. President Williams brings to the role a global vision to guide RISD and its inclusive community in creating a more just, fair, and sustainable society. As President Williams’ vision for her presidency and her role as a leader, catalyzer, and builder takes shape, RISD seeks an Executive Communications Writer to work in partnership with the president and RISD’s chief marketing and communications officer, Kerci Marcello Stroud, to craft communications that capture both the president’s and the institution’s voices.
President Williams believes that education—shaped by and focused on art and design and amplified by commitments to equity and justice—is essential to transforming our society. With a spirit of curiosity, openness, plurality, and creative dynamism, the Executive Communications Writer will artfully adapt to the president’s voice in creating and researching a variety of external and campus-focused communications, such as speeches, keynote addresses, op-eds, presentations and talking points for events, and all-campus communiqués designed to foster and strengthen engagement, elicit connections, and mobilize support with key external and internal audiences.
The Executive Communications Writer will bring a nuanced understanding of social equity and inclusion and how art and design play a role in driving social and cultural change. They will be a highly skilled researcher who brings an appreciation for multiple forms of inquiry and historical context, while also being a deep listener, seeking out contemporary themes and narratives about the transformative impact of art and design across a wide range of disciplines, sectors, and communities. They will have an elastic approach to writing that is both bold and accessible and brings a lens of relevance and rigor as an editor, ensuring that communications convey the president’s vision and institutional priorities with clarity and consistency, and in alignment with RISD’s identity and brand standards. Exhibiting a flexible and inventive approach, they will work collaboratively, contribute productively to collective decisions, and execute in alignment with the president and the Office of Marketing and Communications.
RISD welcomes candidates whose skills and experience have been developed and proven in a variety of settings (e.g., public affairs, narrative change and storytelling, journalism, agency, scholarly inquiry, and thought leadership focused on cultural/community transformation, shifting power and/or diversity, equity, and inclusion). Candidates must have an ability to create strong relationships across an inclusive and varied community and be able to translate ideas, reflections, and learnings into succinct communications that advance dialogue at local, national, and global levels.
Application Instructions
RISD has retained Talent Citizen to assist in this recruitment. President Tracy Welsh and Senior Associate Eva Kotilinek are leading this search.
Please submit your resume and a cover letter outlining your interest, the reasons why you are best suited for the position and would be a great addition to the RISD community, and where you learned of the position. Nominations and application materials should be sent directly to: RISD-ECW@talentcitizen.com.
RISD recognizes diversity and inclusivity as fundamental to its learning community and integral to an art and design education. RISD welcomes candidates whose experience has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. RISD is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetics, or any other protected characteristic as established by law.
