Responsibilities

• Leads the development of VUSN's overall brand and messaging approach, refining how the school presents itself to internal and external audiences.
• Leads and executes the development of a comprehensive communications strategy that aligns with VUSN and university priorities.
• Shapes and maintains VUSN's brand identity including how the school articulates its mission, strengths, and impact.
• Develops and oversees institutional narratives, taglines, and strategic messaging platforms for executive communications, presentations, and major initiatives.
• Provides strategic counsel to the Dean and senior leadership on communications approach, public relations strategy, and reputation management.
• Directs public relations strategy, including media positioning, thought leadership, and external storytelling to enhance awareness and influence.
• Leads integrated, high-impact campaigns that promote VUSN's programs, research, community impact, and institutional priorities to key audiences.
• Establishes clear guidelines to support clear, consistent communication across the school.
• Oversees the planning, execution, and evaluation of communications and marketing programs.
• Serves as the primary communications advisor and liaison to senior leadership, ensuring alignment, clarity, and effectiveness of messaging across stakeholders.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree is required
• 10 years of progressive related experience in communications, marketing, public relations, and brand strategy with demonstrated leadership in complex organizations.
• Experience in higher education or healthcare preferred.
• Proven experience developing and executing brand strategy, positioning, and messaging frameworks that enhance organizational reputation.
• Experience advising senior executives and serving as a strategic partner in messaging, executive communications, and institutional positioning.
• Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels, translating vision into execution while maintaining focus on school and institutional positioning.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate and persuade others, and to demonstrate patience and empathy are preferred.
• Self-starter, enthusiastic, excellent communication skills (oral and written, including public speaking) is necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and work as part of a team and to work independently.

Preferred

• Master's degree is preferred
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate and persuade others, and to demonstrate patience and empathy are preferred.
• Experience leading a marketing/communications team in a university or healthcare setting is preferred
• Ability to operate with cross-functional collaboration across multiple stakeholders is preferred