Director of Marketing & Communications

Virginia Commonwealth University   Richmond, VA   Full-time     Advertising / Marketing / Public Relations
Posted on May 15, 2024
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Here, your success is supported and your career can thrive. VCU offers a generous leave package, career paths for advancement, competitive pay and mission-driven work. We advance a conscientious drive to support a climate where excellence and success for all people are valued and differences are celebrated.

The VCU School of Business Marketing and Communications (Marketing and Communications) Department serves as the strategic hub for all internal and external marketing, branding, and communications efforts. This team is dedicated to elevating the School's profile, promoting its innovative programs, and supporting its mission to develop business leaders who are equipped for future challenges. Through a combination of creative storytelling and impactful communications, the Marketing and Communications Department crafts compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences, including prospective students, alums, corporate partners, and the academic community. The team leverages various channels, including digital and social media, and traditional media, to effectively communicate the School's values, achievements, and offerings. Working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and stakeholders, the Marketing and Communications Department plays a crucial role in fostering a strong, cohesive brand identity and driving the School's continued growth and success.

This isn't business as usual. It's innovation at work. We are unlike any business school you've ever seen.

Join us. You can be unstoppable here.

Position Summary:

The School of Business Marketing and Communication team seeks a highly motivated and qualified Director. The Director will collaborate with the Interim Dean to ensure alignment of marketing initiatives with the school's strategic goals and objectives. Responsibilities include assisting the Interim Dean in overseeing the creation and dissemination of print and digital content, managing media relations, and guiding the branding, advertising and PR efforts. The successful candidate will possess a strong background in marketing and communications, including editorial skills and the capacity to work effectively in a dynamic, collaborative environment. This role requires innovative thinking, excellent organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail.

Typical Responsibilities:
  • Provide operational support for the School of Business Marketing and Communications team, by managing the day-to-day coordination of the Marketing and Communications Office.
  • Managing and directly supervising the Marketing and Communications team
  • Work with the Dean to master and maintain the organization's messaging tone and voice to ensure consistency across all communication channels
  • Serve as a strong editor with a keen eye for detail, ensuring all marketing materials and communications are clear, compelling, and on-brand
  • Demonstrate proficiency in digital workflow management, optimizing processes for efficiency and effectiveness in digital campaigns and content distribution
  • Possess project management experience with the ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring timely completion and quality standards
  • Exhibit a big-picture perspective on projects, proactively identifying potential issues in workflow and communication needs, and implementing solutions to address them
  • Understand and manage budgets effectively, ensuring resources are allocated efficiently to maximize impact and ROI
  • Seek understanding of VCU HR policies, ensuring all marketing and communications initiatives align with our standards and practices
  • Excel at engaging with and managing various personalities within the team and across the organization, fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment
  • Provide insights and strategic recommendations to assist in the decision-making processes related to SOB marketing and communications efforts
  • Responsible for other duties, such as special projects or other marketing/communications related tasks as they arise
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  • Proven experience in marketing and communications, Strong leadership skills and the ability to inspire and motivate a diverse team of professionals
  • Experience working in and fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment or the commitment to do so as an employee at VCU
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex concepts to a variety of audiences
  • Proficient in the use of digital marketing tools and platforms, with a keen understanding of current trends and best practices in digital marketing and communications
  • Strategic thinker with the ability to translate organizational goals into actionable marketing and communication strategies
  • Adaptable and resilient, with the capacity to thrive in a dynamic and fast-paced environment
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Degree in marketing, communications, or a similar discipline
  • A minimum of 5 + years in marketing and communications
  • Experience in higher education
  • Management experience
  • Possess project management capabilities
  • Familiar with Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems
  • A good grasp of the Richmond business community and student demographics
  • A history of community engagement
Additional Information:

All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU's robust benefits package that includes: comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave granted up front, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, generous tuition benefit, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement and more. Learn more about VCU's benefits here.

Salary Range: Starting at $85,000 and commensurate with experience

Position Details

Department: School of Business - Marketing and CommunicationsEmployment Type: UF - University Employee FTRestricted Status: NoFTE: 1Exemption Status: Exempt

VCU Job Title: Manager Series in Communications Job Family

ORP Eligibility: Yes

Contact Information

Contact Name: Shannon Cain

Contact Email: swcain@vcu.edu