Responsibilities

• Institutional Brand Strategy and Positioning: Lead the development and stewardship of the University's brand strategy, including positioning, messaging frameworks, and brand architecture.
• Define and articulate the University's distinctive value proposition within the higher education landscape.
• Develop and steward core brand attributes that define how the University is perceived and differentiated.
• Ensure consistent brand expression across academic programs, institutional initiatives, and communications channels.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to brand strength, market visibility, and institutional reputation, and ensure alignment with enrollment and advancement outcomes.
• Executive Leadership and Institutional Communications: Serve as a senior leader within the University's strategy and growth functions, contributing to institutional strategy, priorities, and decision-making.
• Partner with senior leadership to advise on institutional positioning, public narrative, and reputational strategy.
• Lead institutional communications planning to support the University's strategic priorities and growth objectives.
• Strategic Communications and Institutional Narrative: Lead strategic communications initiatives that highlight academic excellence, faculty scholarship, student success, and community impact.
• Translate complex institutional initiatives into clear and compelling narratives for internal and external audiences.

Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education, preferably in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, business administration, or a related field.
• At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in strategic communications, branding, marketing, journalism, public relations, or related fields. Experience may be gained within higher education or other sectors with comparable responsibilities for brand development, strategic communications, reputation management, or organizational visibility initiatives.
• At least ten (10) years of leadership experience in a management role within a complex organization, including responsibility for strategic initiatives, staff supervision, and management of budgets and resources.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing institutional communications or branding strategies that strengthen organizational visibility, reputation, and stakeholder engagement.

Preferred

• Preferred Qualifications: Experience supporting executive-level communications, including communications for senior leadership or governing boards.
• Experience developing and implementing issues management and crisis communications strategies.
• Experience working with donors, community leaders, or other high-profile external stakeholders.
• Experience in higher education or other mission-driven organizations.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate and steward institutional brand attributes and translate them into messaging and communications strategies.