Executive Director of Academic Affairs Communications (Internal Applicants Only)

Duties & Responsibilities

Reporting to the Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs Communications, the Executive Director of Academic Affairs Communications is a senior communications leadership role responsible for elevating VCU’s national prominence by fostering a more unified, collaborative communications ecosystem across the university’s academic units.

This role focuses on bridging the gap between the Office of the Provost, Enterprise Marketing and Communications and individual school-based priorities to support a cohesive institutional voice. The primary focus of this position is the implementation of broad institutional alignment initiatives and the operationalization of cross-campus brand strategies.

• Operate within a decentralized communications model to find opportunities for highly-coordinated enterprise frameworks.
• Plan and drive the implementation of academic-wide assessment recommendations aimed at strengthening the communications function, ensuring that strategic goals are met with measurable results.
• Aid in creating academic-wide, and/or university-wide issues management frameworks with clear escalation pathways and communication protocols to protect and promote the academic mission.
• Partner with VCU Enterprise Marketing & Communications on issues and crisis communications to ensure coordinated, timely and effective messaging across the enterprise.
• Serve as a key strategic partner to deans and academic communication leads, building trust and fostering a culture of mutual support.
• Act as a "strategic bridge," aligning individual unit goals—such as specific enrollment targets or research initiatives—with the university’s broader national reputation goals and messaging appropriately in both directions.
• Lead and coordinate regular forums for university communicators to share best practices, surface high-impact stories, and identify opportunities for shared resources.
• Ensure that specialized brand platforms for the health sciences and other key academic areas are integrated seamlessly into the broader university narrative.
• Work across academic units to identify and elevate "uncommon" stories of academic excellence, research innovation, and community impact that resonate on a national stage.
• Identify and implement enterprise-level tools and shared services that improve productivity and ensure brand consistency across all academic touchpoints.
• Develop shared metrics and evaluation standards to assess the effectiveness of marketing efforts across the academic enterprise.
• Assist in the modernization of job descriptions and performance standards within the marketing and communications job family to ensure the university is equipped with top-tier talent.

Institutional Strategy & Alignment

• Operationalize Integration: Find opportunities for highly-coordinated enterprise frameworks.
• Strategic Roadmap Execution: Plan and drive the implementation of academic-wide assessment recommendations.
• Policy & Protocol Development: Assist in creating academic-wide, and/or university-wide issues management frameworks with clear escalation pathways and communication protocols.

Leadership & Performance Metrics & Evaluation

• Develop shared metrics and evaluation standards to assess the effectiveness of marketing efforts across the academic enterprise.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Performs other duties, as assigned, to help drive our vision, fulfill our mission, and support day-to-day business operations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s in journalism, communications, public relations or a related field; Advanced degree preferred or equivalent combination of relevant education and experience to include 7+ years of progressive experience in communications or marketing leadership, preferably within higher education or complex organizations.
• Substantial experience in marketing or communications leadership within a large, complex organization, preferably in a public research university setting.
• A proven track record of building successful partnerships and influencing stakeholders across various levels of an organization.
• Demonstrated experience leading organizational change or large-scale strategic initiatives that require high levels of coordination and buy-in.
• Ability to use data and analytics to inform marketing decisions and demonstrate the ROI of communications efforts.
• A deep understanding of the unique communications needs of a public academic enterprise and a commitment to fostering an environment of professionalism and civility.
• A demonstrated ability to work in and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from all backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.

Preferred Qualifications

• Substantial experience in strategic communications, public relations or marketing leadership, ideally within a higher education or large, complex organization.
• Demonstrated success advising senior leadership and integrating communications across multiple units, ideally within a higher education.
• Demonstrated success in communicating institutional impact to support fundraising and philanthropic campaigns.
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated experience managing, leading, and developing cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated abilities in conflict resolution, employee coaching, and performance management.

Salary Range

Up to $165,000

Benefits

• Comprehensive health benefits
• Paid annual and holiday leave
• Moderate tuition benefits
• Retail savings options
• Tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs
• Employee discounts
• Well-being resources
• Abundant opportunities for career development and advancement
• More

FLSA Exemption Status

Exempt

Hours per Week

40

Restricted Position

No

ORP Eligible

Yes

Flexible Work Arrangement

Hybrid - Enjoy the flexibility and balance of in-person and remote work.

Contact Information

Contact Name: David Oglethorpe
Contact Email: oglethorped@vcu.edu