Vice President, Public Affairs

Major Responsibilities

• Develop and execute a comprehensive public affairs and external relations strategy that integrates media relations, stakeholder engagement, and reputation management.
• Advise the President and senior leadership team on messaging, positioning, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Lead information-gathering efforts with internal subject matter experts to prepare senior leaders for media interviews, public appearances, and high-profile engagements.
• Manage high-profile media interactions and represent the University externally.
• Secure proactive, high-impact media coverage to advance institutional initiatives, deepen stakeholder engagement, and increase public awareness.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with print, digital, and broadcast journalists and influencers.
• Lead the University’s Incident Response Team, a small group of leaders that convenes in anticipation of or in response to significant issues that have the potential to create immediate and/or long-term harm to the University’s reputation and its trusting relationships with important stakeholders.
• Participate in strategic planning discussions, to align priorities and communications efforts where appropriate.
• Monitor policy, regulatory, and reputational issues and develop communications strategies to address emerging risks and opportunities.
• Provide support for and coordinate with other relevant University groups and processes, such as Public Safety, Title IX, Student Conduct, and other formal processes for investigating misconduct.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree and 10 years’ experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, in public affairs.
• Experience in higher education or similarly complex, mission-driven organizations.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a spokesperson and managing media relationships.
• Proven success advising senior executives and managing high-profile cross-unit coordination.
• Able to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues spread across multiple departments.
• Excellent judgment and organizational savvy, with strong writing, editing and verbal communications skills and marketing/outreach experience.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once while delivering on deadlines.
• Demonstrated understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds.