Responsibilities

• Translate Vanderbilt University’s institutional brand direction into messaging frameworks and narrative structures for communications and marketing.
• Partner with senior leadership to reflect institutional priorities consistently in messaging.
• Maintain a clear articulation of Vanderbilt’s value proposition and narrative across schools and initiatives.
• Develop and maintain the university’s messaging architecture, including narrative pillars and proof points.
• Ensure messaging coherence across major initiatives, campaigns, and storytelling.
• Translate complex priorities into clear narrative frameworks guiding communications across units.
• Support senior leaders in articulating Vanderbilt’s story in line with direction and messaging.
• Lead brand-focused initiatives that strengthen messaging clarity and alignment.
• Own and drive key brand programs, including messaging frameworks and toolkits.
• Define scope, sequencing, and success measures for brand initiatives and coordinate across the division.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree or commensurate experience is required.
• 10+ years of experience in brand strategy, institutional communications, or related field.
• Experience translating institutional priorities into actionable messaging guidance across teams.
• Strong ability to influence across diverse teams and senior leaders.
• Experience conducting or interpreting brand research and market insights.
• Comfortable working with ambiguity and bringing structure to loosely defined problems.
• Proven bias for action with disciplined execution and operational efficiency.

Preferred

• Master’s degree (MBA) or commensurate experience is preferred.
• Experience in higher education, research institutions, or mission-driven organizations.
• 10+ years of experience in brand strategy, institutional communications, or related field.