Communications Manager, Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Outreach

About The Role

The Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Outreach at the University of Virginia seeks a Communications Manager to help tell and amplify the story of public service at UVA. This is a unique opportunity to shape the narrative of two cornerstone contributors to UVA’s public service ecosystem, specifically Madison House (MH) and Public Service Pathways (PSP), and to advance the University’s mission to educate ethically minded citizen leaders.

This position sits at the intersection of storytelling, strategy, and student engagement. The successful candidate will lead communications and marketing efforts while supporting signature programs and events that connect students, alumni, and community partners around a shared commitment to service. The role includes a dual reporting line to the Executive Director of Madison House and the Director of Public Service Pathways and collaborates closely with the Division of Student Affairs and units across the University that collectively advance UVA’s public service ecosystem. The role will also have a dotted-line relationship to the Director of Communications in the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost to ensure message alignment and continuity with the Provost’s Office, where Academic Outreach resides.

About The Programs

Madison House serves as the student-led volunteer center for University of Virginia students, supporting student leadership, community partnerships, and a lifelong commitment to service. Public Service Pathways (PSP) is a rapidly growing initiative that connects curricular and co-curricular experiences to develop citizen leaders equipped to create meaningful change and to sustain public service as a lifelong commitment and a potential career pathway. Together, these programs play a central role in developing, training, and graduating citizen leaders.

Position Summary

The Communications Manager leads a comprehensive communications strategy across Madison House and Public Service Pathways, overseeing digital and print content, brand alignment, and storytelling. The role is also responsible for supporting key events and engagement efforts—including major university programs, alumni activities, and large-scale service initiatives—ensuring cohesive messaging, strong participation, and effective execution.

Key Responsibilities

• Communications Strategy & Brand Management

• Develop and execute integrated communications strategies for Madison House and Public Service Pathways.
• Ensure consistent voice, branding, and messaging across all platforms and audiences.
• Collaborate with UVA communications partners to align with institutional priorities and guidelines.
• Track performance metrics and continuously refine communications approaches.

• Content Development & Storytelling

• Lead creation of compelling content across platforms, including websites, newsletters, social media, and print materials.
• Produce the Madison House annual report and contribute to institutional reports and impact narratives.
• Capture and elevate stories of student leadership, alumni engagement, and community partnerships.
• Manage press outreach and serve as a primary media contact.

• Digital Platforms & Publications

• Oversee content and strategy for: Madison House website, UVA Public Service website (in collaboration with partners e.g. Division of Student Affairs), Social media channels, Produce newsletters and targeted communications, including multiple biweekly PSP newsletters across student cohorts.
• Maintain brand assets, templates, and promotional materials.

• Events & Engagement

• Support planning, promotion, and execution of key events, including: Public Service Week, Student engagement fairs and orientations, Alumni panels, community partner gatherings, service days, and recognition events.
• Lead event-related communications, including marketing, registration, and audience outreach.
• Provide day-of event support, including coordination and troubleshooting as part of an “all hands on deck” team environment.
• Partner with staff, students, community partners, faculty, and alumni to ensure events reflect program goals and deliver strong participant experiences.

• Student & Program Communications

• Partner with program staff and student leaders to produce recruitment and outreach materials.
• Support student-led communications initiatives, supervise student interns, and provide coaching on messaging and design.
• Ensure program information is current, accessible, and aligned with community partner expectations.
• Develop materials for campus engagement opportunities (e.g., Activities Fair, Days on the Lawn, orientation events).

• Internal Communications & Operations

• Manage internal communication platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams workspace, staff hub).
• Monitor shared inboxes and coordinate timely responses.
• Support cross-unit communications efforts across UVA’s public service ecosystem.

• Board & Alumni Relations

• Support Madison House Board of Directors communications, meeting materials, and logistics.
• Contribute to alumni communications, storytelling, and engagement efforts.
• Aid in alumni-focused events and partnership development.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree
• At least 3 years of experience in communications, marketing, or public relations
• Excellent writing, editing, and project management skills with strong attention to detail
• Experience with digital tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, Salesforce Agentforce Marketing, CMS platforms, email marketing systems)
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities
• Commitment to community-centered communication practices
• Availability for occasional evenings and weekends

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Higher Education, or a related field
• 5+ years of relevant experience in higher education or nonprofit settings
• Experience supervising students or volunteers
• Familiarity with student engagement and university environments
• Experience with media relations and press outreach
• Experience contributing to grant writing or impact storytelling