Responsibilities

• Strategic Communications and Public Affairs • Develops and executes institute-wide communication plans that support the Superintendent’s priorities and institutional goals.
• Coordinates communications activities with other offices and departments on post and with the VMI Alumni Agencies.
• Develops and coordinates communications strategies in response to issues that have the potential to affect the reputation of the Institute.
• Oversees messaging and engagement for key events, ensuring relationships and engagement among cadets, employees, alumni, and the community.
• Crisis Management • Leads the communications effort in actual or potential crisis situations.
• Serves as the Institute spokesperson and public information officer during emergencies, including representing VMI Police and coordinating public messaging.
• Provides communication counsel to senior leadership during emergencies and coordinates all crisis-related communication activities, including coordinating local government and law enforcement, the adjacent Washington & Lee University, and any other outside entities.
• Responsible for updating the website during emergencies to provide timely communication.
• Media Relations • Directs all media relations activities including responding to media inquiries, coordinating and preparing senior leaders for interviews, preparing press releases and proactively pitching stories.
• Oversees reputation monitoring, media tracking, and social media listening to identify emerging issues and opportunities. Will also provide strategic direction on handling any issues or opportunities.

Requirements

• A master's degree or equivalent experience in public relations, media studies, communications, marketing, or a related field is required.
• An additional five years of related experience beyond a master's degree is required.

Preferred

• Previous higher education communications and/or military public affairs experience preferred.
• Crisis communication and/or incident command system training or certification preferred.