VP COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING (UA-VPCM-IUBLA)
Department Information
The Office of the Vice President for Communications and Marketing seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as a reflection of our commitment to serve the diverse people of Indiana, to maintain the excellence of the University and to offer our students richly varied disciplines, perspectives and ways of knowing and learning.
University Communications and Marketing provides strategic leadership to protect, advance, and elevate the university’s brand and reputation in Indiana and around the world. We create guiding resources for and collaborate with communications and marketing partners across all IU campuses, schools, departments, and centers.
Job Summary
Indiana University is seeking a Director of Executive Communications to lead the development and implementation of robust, multi-channel communications strategies and thought leadership efforts to effectively position senior leadership, with a priority on the Office of the President.
Department-Specific Responsibilities
- Responsible for collaboratively developing strategic plans, inclusive of thought leadership goals, objectives, key messages, channels, tactics and internal and external stakeholders.
- Identifies opportunities and creates communications plans for the University President, in collaboration with the Office of the President, the Office of the Vice President for Communications and Marketing, and others. This includes, but is not limited to, supporting presidential speaking engagements, shaping social media strategy, developing and implementing a thought leadership platform, guiding proactive presidential media efforts, and contributing to the establishment of an impactful communications strategy.
- Provides counsel and support to equip the University President in cultivating and fostering relationships with key internal and external stakeholders and effectively communicating institutional priorities.
- Reports directly to the Assistant Vice President of Strategic Communications, and will require the development of strong working relations with campus communicators, faculty leadership and other key offices in order to be successful.
- Advances the goals and initiatives of the president as outlined in the IU 2030 Strategic Plan.
- Shapes the president’s profile in key Indiana communities on issues of importance to IU and those communities.
- Positions and promotes the president as a state, national and international leader on key higher education issues.
- Highlights the president’s role at the forefront of IU’s leadership and serve as a voice for executive communication as part of the senior leadership within the Office of the Vice President for Communications and Marketing.
- Develops or leads the development of messages ranging from major announcements to blogs, stakeholder letters, op-ed placements, news releases, public statements, quotes, talking points, background memos, reports, and social media.
- Develops objectives and KPIS’s for executive communications
- Develops key message themes and establish a clear message platform(s) aligned to presidential priorities and the university’s strategic objectives (per IU 2030)
- Develops and implements communications plans in pursuit of the identified objectives
- Develops relationships with other university leaders to ensure that messaging and content for the President is produced collaboratively with key operational and subject-matter partners across the university.
- Works to create a collegial, team-building work environment; motivate staff; models professional working relationships; and cultivate productive, collaborative interactions across all schools, departments and units.
- Partners with senior leadership communicators to ensure successful implementation and management of leader-oriented communications.
- Manages relevant relationships with various internal and external stakeholders to ensure that the Office of the President and senior leaderships’ organizations are equipped to engage with relevant internal and external initiatives, events, and programs.
General Responsibilities
- Independently creates basic and complex communications for print and e-distribution on behalf of department or large multi-faceted department and in support of departmental goals and objectives; communications may be interdepartmental; staff, faculty, or student-focused; or external.
- Responds to inquiries and requests and explains policies, procedures, and context of communications.
- Manages relationships with various internal and external stakeholders and creates communications coverage for relevant initiatives, events, and programs.
- Prepares communications timelines and shares progress of communications toward relevant deadlines with manager, team members, and other relevant constituents.
- Regularly monitors relevant social media and news sites; researches relevant subject matter to increase knowledge in area(s) of specialty.
- Utilizes various communications software programs and delivers communications in multiple formats to a variety of audiences.
- Monitors industry trends and best practices and makes process and operational recommendations to manager.
- Provides guidance to lower-level Communications Generalists.
Qualifications
EDUCATION
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, English, public relations, or related field
WORK EXPERIENCE
Required
- 8 years in relevant field
Preferred
- 10 years in relevant field (preferably higher education) that also includes 5 years experience managing and supervising staff
- Demonstrates experience in copywriting
Combinations of related education and experience may be considered
SKILLS
Required
- Proficient communication skills
- Maintains a high degree of professionalism
- Demonstrates time management and priority setting skills
- Demonstrates a high commitment to quality
- Possesses flexibility to work in a fast paced, dynamic environment
- Seeks to acquire knowledge in area of specialty
- Highly thorough and dependable
- Demonstrates a high level of accuracy, even under pressure
- Possesses a high degree of initiative
- Ability to influence internal and/or external constituents
- Excellent collaboration and team building skills
- Demonstrates excellent judgment and decision making skills
Working Conditions / Demands
This role requires the ability to effectively communicate and to operate a computer and other standard office productivity equipment. The position involves sedentary work as well as periods of time moving around an office environment and the campus. The person in this role must be able to perform the essential functions with or without an accommodation.
On-campus work in Bloomington and Indianapolis is required, including evening and weekend work when necessary
Work Location
Bloomington, Indiana or Indianapolis, Indiana
This position is eligible for remote work or to work a hybrid schedule (mix between remote and in-person work), subject to change in the future based on university policy and business needs.
Advertised Salary
$90,000 – $100,000 annually
Benefits Overview
For full-time staff employees, Indiana University offers a wide array of benefits including:
- Multiple plan options for medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Health Savings Account with generous IU contribution
- Life insurance, LTD, and AD&D options
- Base retirement plan contribution from IU, subject to vesting
- Additional supplemental retirement plan options
- Tuition benefit for IU classes
- 10 paid holidays per year
- Generous Paid Time Off
- Paid Parental Leave
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Learn more about our benefits by reviewing our online Benefits Brochure .
Job Classification
Career Level: Expert
FLSA: Exempt
Job Function: Marketing & Communications
Job Family: Communications Generalist
Click here to learn more about Indiana University’s Job Framework.
Posting Disclaimer
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there may be differences in the working conditions as advertised in our standard job postings (e.g., the ability to travel from one campus to another, etc.). If you are invited for an interview, please discuss your questions or concerns regarding the working conditions at that time.
This posting is scheduled to close at 11:59 pm EST on the advertised Close Date. This posting may be closed at any time at the discretion of the University, but will remain open for a minimum of 5 business days. To guarantee full consideration, please submit your application within 5 business days of the Posted Date.
If you wish to include a cover letter, you may include it with your resume when uploading attachments.
New employees will be provided with information regarding Indiana University’s COVID-19 vaccine policy, which includes the opportunity to request an exemption. To learn more, view our COVID-19 vaccine information page .
Equal Employment Opportunity
Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment based on individual qualifications. Indiana University prohibits discrimination based on age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Indiana University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admission, as required by Title IX. Questions or complaints regarding Title IX may be referred to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights or the university Title IX Coordinator. See Indiana University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination here which includes contact information .
Campus Safety and Security
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, containing policy statements, crime and fire statistics for all Indiana University campuses, is available online . You may also request a physical copy by emailing IU Public Safety at iups@iu.edu or by visiting IUPD.
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