How to Apply

For full consideration, please include a resume, cover letter, and the following writing samples:

• A speech or spoken remarks written for a senior leader, ideally designed to be delivered in approximately eight minutes.
• A second set of remarks for a distinctly different audience or occasion, demonstrating range in voice, tone, or style.
• A short-form piece-such as an op-ed, essay, letter, or other public-facing communication-that demonstrates the ability to make a compelling idea clear and memorable.
• Please briefly describe your role in creating each sample. Finalists will be asked to complete a writing exercise focused on spoken remarks for the president.

*Submit a cover letter, resume, and writing samples as one file (due to system limitations). You can email large files to [email protected]

Job Summary

The University of Michigan seeks an exceptional speechwriter to bring the president's voice, ideas, and vision to life across the many audiences and moments that define the leadership of a great public university.

The Presidential Speechwriter will develop remarks for audiences ranging from students and faculty to alumni, civic and business leaders, policymakers, and national and global audiences. This role is for a writer who is intellectually curious, strategic, creative, collaborative, and agile-someone who can think beyond individual assignments, develop themes and stories over time, and recognize when a strong idea can travel across speeches and other thought-leadership platforms.

The position reports to the vice president for communications and works closely with the president, chief of staff, and senior university leaders.

Responsibilities*

• Draft speeches, remarks, talking points, and other spoken communications for the president.
• Capture and maintain the president's voice while adapting it for different audiences and settings.
• Translate complex ideas into clear, compelling, and memorable language and stories.
• Develop themes and narratives that build across the president's remarks and broader public platform.
• Conduct rigorous research and work across the university to surface the people, ideas, and stories that should inform presidential remarks.
• Identify opportunities to extend strong ideas into opinion pieces, interviews, digital communications, and other thought-leadership platforms.
• Support and attend rehearsals and events as needed, using experience and audience response to continually strengthen future remarks.
• Other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications*

• Bachelor's degree in political science, history, communications, public relations, journalism, or related field.
• At least seven years of experience in speechwriting, executive communications, journalism, or a related field.
• Exceptional writing and editing skills, including demonstrated ability to write authentically in another person's voice.
• Intellectual curiosity, creativity, strong research skills, and rigorous attention to accuracy.
• Ability to move quickly across subjects, audiences, and formats while exercising excellent judgment and discretion.
• Experience writing for a university president, CEO, political or civic leader, or other highly visible principal is preferred.

Above all, we are looking for a writer who can find the story in complex material, the larger idea in an individual moment, and the language that makes an audience listen.

Modes of Work

The work requires, or the supervisor approves a fully onsite presence. Onsite is defined as a designated U-M owned or leased work location within or outside of the State of Michigan.

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

Work Schedule

This position requires substantial in-person work in Ann Arbor to collaborate with and support the president. You will work outside of normal business hours, including evenings and weekends, to accommodate the president's schedule, event requirements, and deadlines.

Additional Information

Candidates for this position must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Application Deadline

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled at any time after the minimum posting period has ended.

Job Detail

Job Opening ID

283789

Working Title

Presidential Speechwriter

Job Title

Speech Writer

Work Location

Ann Arbor Campus

Ann Arbor, MI

Modes of Work

Onsite

Full/Part Time

Full-Time

Regular/Temporary

Regular

FLSA Status

Exempt

Organizational Group

Vice Pres Communicat

Department

VP for Communications

Posting Begin/End Date

10/02/2026 - 10/16/2026

Salary

$165,000.00 - $175,000.00

Career Interest

Communications & Marketing