Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Darden School of Business

Portfolio Responsibilities

• The Global Communications & Reputation Portfolio
  • Elevate Darden’s intellectual capital and brand equity worldwide; strategically position the School within the highly competitive peer set and global rankings.
  • Craft the foundational narrative for the School and its affiliated fundraising efforts. Oversee executive communications and global thought leadership platforms for the Dean and other key leaders. Provide media training and ensure internal alignment.
  • Lead a high-profile strategic initiative to merge Darden’s flagship print magazine and two distinct digital publications into a single, AI-enabled world-class media asset. Oversee the editorial direction, content strategy and digital architecture of this new omni-channel platform, transforming it into the definitive global vehicle for the School’s news, thought leadership and faculty research.
  • Digital & Social Ecosystem: Champion a cutting-edge content strategy that leverages multi-platform social media management, high-impact video production, and influencer and content strategies tailored to diverse global audiences.
  • Public Relations & Stakeholder Engagement: Drive proactive, international public relations and media strategy. Partner with Advancement and Alumni Services to inspire philanthropic investment and lifelong affinity among a global network of 20,000 alumni across 90 countries.
  • Crisis & Change Management: Serve as the strategic architect for global issues management and crisis communications. Safeguard institutional equity across different regulatory and media environments.
• The Marketing & Growth Engine Portfolio
  • Champion the visual identity and overarching brand experience of Darden, ensuring absolute consistency and premium positioning across all marketing efforts.
  • Lead a high-velocity, full-funnel marketing machine for degree programs that is powered by predictive data analytics, AI-driven lead scoring, and dynamic personalization to maximize quality lead generation.
  • Direct cutting-edge digital advertising and optimize national and international recruitment and retention marketing to secure top-tier global talent.
  • Oversee the evolution of Darden’s digital ecosystem in the age of AI. Drive a sophisticated web and mobile strategy rooted in advanced UX/accessibility and high-performing, multi-region SEO strategy.

Candidate Profile

• The ideal candidate will be an inspiring leader of people, a culturally adept diplomat, and a sharp, metrics-driven strategist who thrives in a collaborative academic environment.
• Required Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree and 10+ years of relevant professional experience required.
  • Advanced degree (MBA, Master's in Communications, Marketing, Journalism, International Relations, or a related field) is highly preferred.

About the Darden School of Business

• The University of Virginia Darden School of Business prepares responsible leaders through unparalleled, transformational learning experiences.
• Darden offers top-ranked graduate degree programs, including the Full-Time MBA, Part-Time MBA, Executive MBA, MSBA and Ph.D., as well as Executive Education & Lifelong Learning delivered by the Darden School Foundation.
• Darden’s faculty is renowned for teaching excellence and consistently ranked No. 1 in the world for bringing out the best in learners.
• Driven by innovation and a bold vision reflected in the brand mantra “Not business school as usual,” Darden serves a global network of students, alumni, faculty and partners through world-class degree programs and lifelong learning.
• Darden has Grounds in Charlottesville, Virginia, and the Washington, D.C., area, with strategic representation in Shanghai, China and Mumbai, India.
• Its Charlottesville learning hub includes The Forum Hotel operated by Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants and the Tahija Arboretum and LaCross Botanical Gardens.
• UVA Darden DC Metro is located in Rosslyn, Virginia, in a skyrise with 360-degree views of the capital region.
• Darden’s global community includes approximately 1,250 degree-seeking students, 4,000 Executive Education participants, 20,000 alumni across 90 countries and millions of online learners.
• This is a pivotal moment for Darden at a time when the school is experiencing great momentum. Darden has reached record enrollments, recently launched a part-time MBA and expanded its Executive MBA at its Washington, D.C., Metro grounds. With record rankings as the No. 1 global public Full-time MBA program, record-setting success with $632M in philanthropic impact in its recently concluded capital campaign and record scholarship resources available to top talent, Darden continues to innovate in a competitive global admissions landscape.
• About the Darden School Foundation:
  • The Darden School Foundation is an independent, nonprofit organization that advances Darden's mission by fostering philanthropic support, stewarding the School's endowment, and overseeing its world-renowned Executive Education programs and The Forum Hotel.