Details
Posted: 20-May-22
Location: Nashville, TN, United States,
Type: Full-time
Salary: Open
Categories:
Executive
Internal Number: 10002318
Vanderbilt University is seeking an experienced and innovative leader to serve as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Relations. The Assistant Vice Chancellor plays a leading role in designing and driving public relations efforts for Vanderbilt University as a top-tier academic research institution and serves as an in-residence expert and advisor on all public relations strategies. Drawing upon a comprehensive background in communications and public relations, this position will lead a team of media relations specialists, social media specialists, and crisis and issues communications managers to protect and enhance Vanderbilt University's local, national and international reputation to advance the university's mission. It is an exciting time at Vanderbilt as the institution nears its 150th anniversary and the launch of a capital campaign. The Assistant Vice Chancellor for Public Relations will enhance and advance Vanderbilt's status as one of the world's leading research universities.
This position reports directly to the Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing and serves as a member of the Vice Chancellor's core leadership team. The Assistant Vice Chancellor works collaboratively with other members of the university leadership team, including the Chancellor, the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, the Vice Chancellor for Athletics and University Affairs, the Vice Chancellor for Development and Alumni Relations, the Vice Chancellor for Administration, as well as the deans of the 10 schools and colleges and many others throughout the university.
The Communications and Marketing team at Vanderbilt is a dynamic and collaborative group. The division serves as the institution-wide center of excellence for communications and marketing, developing and executing strategies that inform, engage, and inspire others to participate in Vanderbilt University's global academic and research mission. The division is a key strategic adviser and partner for the mission-based work of the university, providing comprehensive communications and marketing plans and thoughtful analysis on messaging opportunities and constraints. The Communications and Marketing team delivers impactful marketing and communications results across key audiences in order to serve the larger mission, values and priorities of the university.
This role requires the ability to report to work in person on the Vanderbilt University campus.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Work closely with the Vice Chancellor and the Communications and Marketing leadership team to develop, implement and refine an overall public relations strategy for the university.
- Bring industry expertise to the university's public relations strategy that will allow the institution to connect with and build stronger key constituencies locally, nationally and globally.
- Further refine Vanderbilt's identity as a premier academic and research destination that offers a unique approach to learning and discovery.
- Serve as an advisor to the Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing and other leaders across the university on all matters regarding public relations.
- Continue to center the university's values of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all communications as part of an ongoing effort to reach out to and engage with diverse audiences throughout the Vanderbilt community and beyond.
- Develop and direct overarching communications strategies to engage priority audiences and achieve the university's reputation, recruiting, and revenue goals at both the institutional and project level.
- Consult with stakeholders within the Communications and Marketing team and the broader university on strategy, content, and goals.
- Oversee the development and execution of public relations strategies and tactics that support the university's mission and overall communications goals. This includes the co-creation and distribution of compelling content across a variety of digital and traditional channels.
- In partnership with the executive communications team, develop public relations strategies for the university's top executives, including the chancellor, provost and vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs, and athletic director that align with the university's mission and goals.
- Work with the director of crisis and issues management to develop and execute crisis and issues management strategies and tactics across the university. Provide counsel and guidance to divisional and university leadership in appropriate response strategies during emerging, developing, or active crisis periods and in managing issues. Support the Vice Chancellor for Communications and Marketing in their role as chair of the Special Situation Team (SST) as needed.
- Advise on media relations strategy, prioritizing national, high priority, and international media outlets, and work with the associate director of media relations to build and maintain strong relationships with key media contacts locally, nationally, and internationally.
- Work with the director of social media to develop and execute social media strategy, prioritizing meaningful engagement with key audiences according to each account and platform.
- Work closely with the Communications and Marketing leadership team and leadership across the university--from Academic Affairs to Athletics to Development and Alumni Relations--to ensure alignment and oversee key cross-divisional institutional communications priorities and outcomes.
- Lead and guide the Public Relations team, facilitating a results-driven culture of collaboration, self-empowerment, and accountability. This includes setting goals across the team, monitoring progress toward results, and overseeing both performance and professional development.
- As part of establishing goals for the Public Relations team, direct the collection of key performance indicators (KPIs) for the team and individual staff members' success, including through qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis; demonstrate a high level of comfort with media and social media monitoring software; analyze and interpret data and information and make appropriate recommendations based on findings.
- Direct and manage the Public Relations budget.
- Recruit and retain talent.
- Represent the Communications and Marketing team at key events and meetings, both internal and external.
- Maintain fluency in current and ongoing developments in higher education and the broader communications and marketing industries.
- Think creatively and pragmatically with a willingness to consider many options, problem solve, and take directives as necessary.
- Demonstrate excellence in news judgment, written communications skills, and a sense of what is appropriate for the Vanderbilt University brand.
- Adhere to confidentiality and business ethics; demonstrate outstanding judgment and discretion.
- Demonstrate understanding of the university's mission, values, goals, and priorities, and an ability to ensure that all are considered in developing communications strategies.
- Communicate and collaborate effectively with a wide range of audiences--including leadership, faculty, staff, coaches, students, alumni, and vendors.
- Efficiently and effectively manage multiple, complex, and results-oriented projects with both quick turn-around requirements and long lead times.
- Work outside regular business hours as needed in order to perform job responsibilities, including being officially on-call.
- Provide overall support as needed and assigned for institutional priorities.
- Perform other relevant duties as assigned.
Qualifications - A bachelor's degree is required.
- A degree in communications, journalism or a related field is strongly preferred.
- A master's/advanced professional degree (MA, MBA, or Ph.D.) is preferred.
- At least 10 years of experience in public relations, communications, journalism, or a related field is required.
- At least 3 years of experience managing a team of 5+ people is required.
- Evidence of ability to achieve results and move projects forward is required.
Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.
Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.
Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.
