The School of Social Work seeks a dynamic and strategic leader to serve as its next Executive Director for Marketing and Communications.
The Executive Director for Marketing and Communications serves as the Schools senior communications leader and a core member of the Deans leadership team. The successful candidate will be an experienced communication strategist, trusted thought partner, and proactive advisor to School leadership. The Executive Director will set the strategic vision for the Schools internal and external communications, ensuring cohesive messaging, strong brand identity, and engagement across all audiences faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, community partners, and external stakeholders. This position will collaborate closely with VCU Enterprise Marketing and Communications to align content, storytelling and brand positioning with institutional priorities and standards.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership and Thought Partnership
Serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to the Dean and senior leadership team on communications positioning, opportunities, and challenges
Anticipate emerging issues; provide proactive counsel on messaging, reputation management, and stakeholder alignment
Develop a forward-looking, school-wide communications strategy that advances academic priorities, research excellence, community engagement, and student success
Internal Communications and Culture Building
Design and implement a comprehensive internal communications program, focused on fostering a collaborative culture and faculty, staff, and student engagement
Create structures and content that build transparency, strengthen culture, and promote community
Equip students, faculty, and staff to serve as ambassadors of the School, fostering ownership and pride across internal stakeholders
Brand, Messaging, and Storytelling
Working within guidelines provided by the University, lead development of a consistent, compelling brand identity and integrated messaging strategy for the School
Oversee storytelling that elevates the accomplishments of faculty, students, staff, alumni, and programs through print, digital, video, and social platforms
Ensure communications reflect the voice, mission, and values of the School of Social Work
Media, Public Relations, and Reputation Management
Strengthen the Schools regional, national, and disciplinary visibility by guiding media outreach and cultivating relationships with VCU News partners
Serve as the Schools primary spokesperson, when appropriate, and partner with VCU Enterprise Marketing & Communications on issues and crisis communications to ensure coordinated, timely and effective messaging across the enterprise
Digital Communications and Web Strategy
Oversee strategy, content, and user experience for the Schools website and digital channels
Lead analytics-informed improvements to ensure accessibility, clarity, and audience engagement
Supervise the development of digital marketing materials that align with recruitment, development, and academic priorities
Management and Administration
Lead and mentor the Schools communications and marketing staff, cultivating a collaborative, high-performing team
Manage the communications budget to maximize impact while maintaining compliance with University protocols
Represent and advocate for communications and marketing strategy as part of the Deans leadership team and key School committees
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelors degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, or a related field
7+ years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, preferably in higher education or a mission-driven organization
Demonstrated excellence in strategic planning, leadership, and executive-level counsel
Strong writing, editing, design, and messaging development skills across multiple platforms
Demonstrated ability to manage digital media, web systems, and content strategy
Experience leading diverse teams and cultivating an inclusive, respectful environment
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven, and complex organizational environment
Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a faculty member at VCU
Preferred Qualifications
Masters degree in communications, marketing, social sciences, or related field
Experience in communications leadership within higher education, public service, or nonprofit sectors
Demonstrated success in developing and implementing a comprehensive internal communications program within a higher education, governmental, or nonprofit setting
familiarity with social work values, professional ethics, and community-engaged framework
Salary Range: $125,000 - $150,000
Benefits: All full-time university staff are eligible for VCUs robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.
FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
Hours per Week: 40
Restricted Position: No
ORP Eligible: Yes
Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid
University Job Title: Communications, Senior Director CM
Designation: Executive and Senior Leadership
Contact Information
Contact Name: Ananda Newmark
Contact Email: anewmark@vcu.edu