Vassar College

Vice President for Communications

Department: Communications Office

Duration of Position: Full year / Full time

Position Type: Administrator

Posting Date:

Posting Removal Date: Open Until Filled

Posting Number: 1001254

About Vassar College
Located in the scenic Mid-Hudson Valley, Vassar College is a highly selective, residential, coeducational liberal arts college. Vassar is strongly committed to fostering a community that reflects the values of a liberal arts education and to promoting an environment of equality, inclusion and respect for difference. Vassar College is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, and applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged.

Position Summary and Responsibilities Reporting to the President, the Vice President for Communications is responsible for telling Vassar's story to the world, defining and building the College's brand, and coordinating the provision of useful and timely information to the Vassar community and its constituents. As the College's chief marketing officer, communications officer and spokesperson, the Vice President represents and promotes the College, increasing its visibility and advancing the institution's mission, vision, and goals. The Vice President leads a team of dynamic and creative professionals who work together to create and implement communications campaigns that will attract the best and brightest applicants, motivate alumnae and donors, recruit high quality faculty and staff, and further the institution's historic mission of advancing women's leadership and education. The Office of Communications oversees Creative, Editorial, Media Relations, Strategic Communications, Digital Strategy, and Marketing functions for the College. In addition to leading the College's central team of communicators, the Vice President provides strategic marketing and communications counsel to all academic and administrative units.

Duties & Responsibilities:

1. Provides strategic counsel to the President, senior leadership team, and Board of Trustees on all aspects of marketing, branding and communications;
   
2. Develops and implements an integrated marketing and communications plan to define Vassar's identity, broaden awareness of its programs and priorities, and increase the visibility of the institution across key stakeholder audiences;
   
3. Identifies challenges and emerging issues faced by the College, working with leadership teams and staff to recognize communications opportunities and solutions, and devise and execute appropriate strategies;
   
4. Leads the Office of Communications, a creative and dynamic staff with responsibility for Creative, Editorial, Media Relations, Strategic Communications, Digital Strategy, and Marketing functions;
   
5. Externally, responsible for telling Vassar's unique story, and those of its individual community members, in a way that advances the College's mission and strategic goals, attracts the best and brightest applicants, and increases support from alumnae and other key stakeholders;
   
6. Internally, responsible for communicating College priorities, initiatives and accomplishments in a way that fosters commitment to Vassar's mission and values, and ensures that faculty, students and staff are well-informed;
   
7. Creates public relations and marketing strategies that allow the institution to cultivate and enhance meaningful relationships with a variety of audiences locally, nationally and internationally, including the media and other key constituencies;
   
8. Works closely with senior administration to ensure that major College communications are consistent with strategic objectives across academic and administrative units;
   
9. Serves as the College's chief spokesperson;
   
10. With the Emergency Management team, develops and oversees crisis communications strategy and implementation for the College;
    
11. Leads, mentors and motivates others to excel in the pursuit of the institution's mission and strategic goals;
    
12. Participates and leads when necessary the planning for major College events and programs;
    
13. Serves on and leads when necessary College committees;
    
14. Performs additional duties and responsibilities in support of the President, Board of Trustees, and College as needed.

Qualifications
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Excellent ability to articulate messages clearly, compellingly and quickly; Stellar writing and presentation skills that demonstrate versatility, speed and accuracy. High level of discretion, judgment and professionalism; ability to interact and build relationships with a variety of constituents including media, senior leadership, faculty, administrators, students, alumnae, neighbors and elected officials. Keen interest in local, national, and world news coverage of major events and issues; comprehensive understanding of print, digital and social news cycles. Experience with major social media platforms and how they can be used to strategically and creatively tell compelling stories and/or move individuals to act. Thorough understanding of brand management, marketing and public relations. Discerning ear for what makes a good story, and discerning eye for compelling and creative visuals. Ability to produce excellent quality work under pressure. Demonstrated success managing teams, multiple projects and competing priorities. Fiscal acumen and experience in budget development and oversight. Proven ability to interpret analytics and data in order to build or adapt communications strategies around such findings.Required Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in a relevant field. 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in communications, marketing and/or external affairs, including five years in management at an upper or executive level in a complex organization. Demonstrated track record in brand development and management Robust understanding of key issues in higher education. Substantial experience in web-based marketing and social media. Demonstrated ability to create and implement successful, large-scale marketing campaigns, lead integrated marketing communications, and build effective media relations. Proven record of people and project management with strong leadership, communications and interpersonal skills.Preferred Qualifications: Master's degree in a relevant field. Experience working with New York City's media market as well as national and international press. Community and/or government relations experience.

Required Applicant Documents
Resume
Cover Letter
Contact Information for 3 References

Optional Applicant Documents


Special Instructions to Applicants
To complete your application, you will be required to attach your resume, cover letter, and contact information for three professional references (Word or PDF format required.) Review of applications will begin immediately. This position will remain open until filled.

For full consideration applicants should apply by:


Anticipated Start Date:


Anticipated End Date (If Applicable):


To Apply
All applicants must apply online at: https://employment.vassar.edu.

Vassar is strongly committed to fostering a community that reflects the values of a liberal arts education and to promoting an environment of equality, inclusion and respect for difference. Vassar College is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, and applications from members of historically underrepresented groups are especially encouraged.



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