Description

Job Description

The Director of Communications and Marketing for the College of Architecture, Arts, and Design will lead the development, planning, execution, and evaluation of a comprehensive, strategic communications and marketing program for the college, and align those activities with university-wide communications, marketing, and branding initiatives. In a broad sense, the Director's primary responsibility will be to tell the story of the college in a manner that captures the vibrancy and appeal of our programs. We are looking for someone who has a deep commitment to the college's disciplines; to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all marketing and communications materials; and is a thoughtful, eloquent, and incisive advocate for the college, its missions, and programs.

To achieve fulfillment of university and college priorities, the Director will collaborate with the college's leadership team, including the Dean; the college's advancement team (including communications, alumni engagement, and development staff); college and university faculty, staff, and students; University Relations and the Advancement division; and university communications colleagues. The Director will develop and implement a comprehensive, strategic marketing and communications plan that is consistent with the college's unique needs, brand marketing, and messaging, as well as the dean's communications needs, while also working within the university's larger marketing and communications framework.

The Director will directly supervise the college's communications team, which is comprised of a communications manager with the potential to add additional capacity. An administrative/professional faculty member, the Director reports jointly to the Assistant Dean of Advancement in the college and the Senior Director in University Relations.

The Director will lead the communications team to increase the visibility of the college in a variety of ways, including message alignment, written and visual content creation for university and college digital and print platforms, marketing, external media relations, elevating the dean's reputation, and more. The Director will have a strong record of progressive experience in today's communications fields, including the development and implementation of a strategic, comprehensive communications and marketing program; evidence of strong communications, interpersonal, presentation, and marketing skills; and proficiency in using word processing, image processing, content management system, and social media tools. The ideal candidate will also have experience leading a team of professional communicators; a strong understanding of effective graphic design and branding principles and the use of the Internet as a medium of communication; and the ability to manage multiple and competing priorities in a dynamic environment.

The position is based at the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. Flex/hybrid work options will be considered but the position does require a regular on-campus presence.

About the college: The College of Architecture, Arts, and Design (AAD) is a community of courageous architects, designers, artists, and creators of communities who care about - and work to improve - our shared natural and built environments. AAD is composed of four schools, the School of Architecture, School of Visual Arts, School of Performing Arts, and School of Design, sharing a vision to understand and shape the spaces and places where we live, work and play.

AAD affirms our collective responsibility to encourage, build, and embrace the polyculturalism of our world. We do this by acknowledging and addressing our past, recognizing our current responsibility, and acting in the interests of building and sustaining communities that are truly safe, supportive, and inclusive for all. Our commitment is to continually and proactively engage in these processes for the benefit of our students, staff, and faculty across the college, and the communities around the world we aim to serve.

Required Qualifications

Master's degree in communications, marketing, journalism, or related field OR Bachelor's degree with extensive experience.

Demonstrated professional experience in communications, marketing, or related field.

Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive, strategic communications and marketing program.

Demonstrated ability to define goals and objectives, identify target audiences, and measure progress toward communications and marketing goals.

Demonstrated strong communications, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

Demonstrated familiarity with a range of communications principles including messaging, writing, editing, graphic design, visual communications, branding, marketing, advertising, electronic communications, and social media.

Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and capable of working in a complex matrix management environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with architecture, arts, and design, and the ability to communicate technical content to a general audience.

Demonstrated experience supervising communications professionals.

Advanced degree in communications, journalism, or related field.

Experience in executing marketing initiatives and the analysis and application of market research.

Experience working with business/industry, alumni engagement, or development initiatives.

Demonstrated budgetary supervision experience.

Experience in a higher education, independent school, scientific organization, or nonprofit environment.

Strong skills using technology in the workplace, familiarity with content management systems and email platforms; social media competencies.

Significant prior communications experience writing and producing publications and developing and placing stories with external media.

Pay Band

N/A

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience

Review Date

3/18/24

Additional Information

Uncommon Work Schedule - (Rotating Shifts, Weekend, Nights)

Safe Driving Record

Regional and national travel required for the purposes of conducting field research, cultivation, solicitation and stewardship, which may include overnights and weekends.

Ability to work nights and weekends, and participation in college or university programs when possible.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Advancement HR at advhr@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: August 10, 2023
Applications close:

Job ID: 71878266