Responsibilities

• - serves as Rutgers’ chief reputation strategist and brand architect, responsible for shaping, advancing, and protecting the university’s identity as a leading public research institution.
• - developing and executing a unified communications and marketing strategy across a decentralized university.
• - lead the evolution of a cohesive Rutgers identity while fostering alignment across campuses and honoring their distinct strengths and markets.
• - build a high-performing, coordinated communications ecosystem; advance the university’s digital and media presence; leverage data, technology, and emerging platforms to sharpen strategy and measure impact.
• - strengthen internal communications and cultivate a deeper sense of pride and connection among alumni and broader community, transforming awareness into affinity and engagement.
• - lead proactive, sophisticated crisis communications and serve as a strategic advisor on issues related to brand strategy, reputation, constituent engagement, and public trust.
• - lead a newly evolving hub-and-spoke model and coordinate with campus leadership to ensure messaging is clear, consistent, and purposeful.
• - establish a cohesive, enterprise-wide brand strategy and unify messaging across Chancellor-Led Units, schools, and divisions.
• - unify and lead a high-performing, integrated communications organization, evaluating the role of embedded communicators and ensuring centralized vs. distributed resources are balanced.
• - strengthen issues management and crisis preparedness through modern approaches and internal protocols.

Requirements

• - Bachelor’s degree in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, business administration, public administration, or a related field.
• - A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible senior leadership experience in communications, marketing, public affairs, brand management, reputation management, media relations, or a related field, including experience leading large, complex organizations and advising executive leadership.
• - Certifications/Licenses Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (listed in the source): Strategic and Visionary Leader; Enterprise Mindset; Executive Presence and Leadership Gravitas; Reputation and Brand Strategist; Exceptional Storyteller and Communicator; Crisis Leadership and Resilience; Politically Astute and Contextually Intelligent; Collaborative Coalition Builder; Data-Informed and Digitally Fluent; Operationally Strong and Results-Oriented; Courageous and Decisive; Adaptable and Agile; Authentic and Trust-Building; Grounded in Public Mission, etc.

Preferred

• - An advanced degree is preferred.

Benefits

• - Medical, prescription drug, and dental coverage
• - Paid vacation, holidays, and various leave programs
• - Competitive retirement benefits, including defined contribution plans and voluntary tax-deferred savings options
• - Employee and dependent educational benefits (when applicable)
• - Life insurance coverage
• - Employee discount programs