PD_EOP_Speechwriter

Position Description

assistant to the president and director of speechwriting, executive office of the president

Overview

Position Type
Presidential appointment (PA)¹ _{Plum book}

Agency Mission

The Office of Communications crafts the message the president delivers to the world, from inception to execution. From planning an address to the nation to working closely with local newspapers, the Office of Communications collaborates with media of all types to advance the agenda of the president.² _{https://www.whitehouse.gov/participate/internships/departments#Comms}

Position Overview

The assistant to the president and director of speechwriting oversees all of the president’s public remarks.³ _{https://medium.com/the-white-house/watch-and-read-white-house-chief-speechwriter-cody-keenan-s-commencement-address-to-nyu-s-wagner-d6a543585af#.v5400mtb4}

Compensation

$176,461 in 2016⁴ _{https://www.whitehouse.gov/21stcenturygov/tools/salaries}

Position Reports to

Reports through White House Chief of Staff to the President

Responsibilities

Management Scope

Former assistants to the president for speechwriting have directed a speechwriting team, which generally includes two deputies and a core team that writes, edits, researches and fact checks every speech. The speechwriting team varies in size and scope, depending on the preferences of the president.

Primary Responsibilities

® Writes speeches for the president in the president’s voice, for a variety of public appearances
® Consults directly with the president to discuss speeches⁵ _{http://www.slate.com/articles/podcasts/working/2016/07/working_how_does_cody_keenan_the_president_s_director_of_speechwriting_work.html}
® Collaborates with a large number of White House employees, including policy advisors, researchers and other writers⁶ _{http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/state-union-meet-cody-keenan-president-obama-s-speechwriter-n494816}
® Knows the position, policy agenda and preferred writing and speaking style of the president
® Meets with the president, White House chief of staff and other senior staff members, as appropriate, to identify the goal of the speech and the broad framework of points or messages
® Researches topics, understands audience and factors in the means for conveying the message
® Blends points, themes, positions and messages with research to create an informative, original and authentic speech for the president⁷ _{Romney Readiness Project position description}

Strategic Goals and Priorities

[Depends on the policy priorities of the administration]

Requirements and Competencies

Requirements

® Command of the spoken and written word
® Thorough understanding of the political climate, and the president’s agenda and policies
® A strong sense of history and literature

Competencies

® Comfortable maintaining anonymity⁸ _{http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/02/12/meet-cody-keenan-lead-speechwriter-on-obama-s-2013-state-of-the-union.html}
® Willingness to work long hours to meet deadlines⁹ _{http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/state-union-meet-cody-keenan-president-obama-s-speechwriter-n494816}
® Willingness to collaborate with other White House employees¹⁰ _{http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/state-union-meet-cody-keenan-president-obama-s-speechwriter-n494816}
® Ability to translate complex economic and policy issues into a clear message for the general public
® Ability to write in a voice that reflects the character and style of the president
® Ability to absorb facts and impacts of crisis situations and write swiftly under pressure, without sacrificing quality of thought
® Comfortable accepting criticism and comments, and ability to deftly incorporate changes into redrafts¹¹ _{Romney Readiness Project position description}

Past Appointees

Cody Keenan (2012 to 2017)¹² – Deputy Director of Speechwriting, Executive Office of the President¹³; Speechwriter, President Obama’s General Election Campaign¹⁴; Legislative Aide, Senate¹⁵ _{http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/state-union-meet-cody-keenan-president-obama-s-speechwriter-n494816 http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/Felsenthal-Files/February-2013/Cody-Keenan-Obamas-Chief-Speechwriter-Chicago-Born-and-Mostly-Bred/ http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/Felsenthal-Files/February-2013/Cody-Keenan-Obamas-Chief-Speechwriter-Chicago-Born-and-Mostly-Bred/ http://www.chicagomag.com/Chicago-Magazine/Felsenthal-Files/February-2013/Cody-Keenan-Obamas-Chief-Speechwriter-Chicago-Born-and-Mostly-Bred/}
Jon Favreau (2009 to 2012) – Director of Speechwriting, President Obama’s General Election Campaign; Deputy Director of Speechwriting, former Sen. John Kerry’s General Election Campaign; Speechwriter, then President-elect Obama’s Senate office¹⁶ _{http://voices.washingtonpost.com/44/2008/11/26/obama_appoints_white_house_spe.html}
Marc Thiessen (2008 to 2009) – Chief Speechwriter to Secretary Rumsfeld, Department of Defense¹⁷; Spokesman and Senior Policy Advisor to Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman; Press Secretary, 1994 Huffington for Senate Campaign in California¹⁸ _{https://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2007/12/20071214-12.html http://www.ovalofficewriters.com/team.htm#1}
The Partnership’s Center for Presidential Transition helps ensure the efficient transfer of power that our country deserves. The Center’s Ready to Govern· initiative assists candidates with the transition, works with Congress to reform the transition process, develops management recommendations to address our government’s operational challenges, and trains new political appointees.