Scheduled Hours
37.5
Position Summary
The Associate Vice Chancellor for University Communications serves as a key, university-level communications strategist, advisor and spokesperson, and as a senior leader on the University Marketing & Communications team, overseeing external and internal communications functions including news and media relations, internal communications, strategic communications, and the production of WashU magazine, the university’s award-winning quarterly alumni publication. Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications, the Associate Vice Chancellor plays a key role in crisis communications and issues management, working closely with leaders at the highest level of the administration to promote and protect the university’s reputation by providing strategic guidance, managing emerging issues, and representing WashU as a spokesperson to media and other external and internal audiences. This position also is responsible for team leadership across all functions of University Marketing & Communications, providing strategic guidance on effective collaboration, continuous improvement and operational efficiency across the entire department.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Communications Management
- Lead and work collaboratively with team of communications professionals in daily activities related to external and internal communications activities described in the position summary.
- Work closely with Vice Chancellor to field media inquiries and provide strategic guidance for university responses.
- Serve as a university spokesperson.
- Provide strategic direction on communications in support of high-level university priorities, particularly those outlined in the Here and Next strategic plan, including WashU’s “In St. Louis, for St. Louis” commitment.
- Represent University Marketing & Communications on key university committees and working groups.
Strategic Leadership
- Monitor national trends in higher education issues, analyze how they could affect the university, and recommend communication strategies for how best to represent the university’s interests in managing them.
- Monitor and report on emerging and ongoing issues through social media, online research and interaction with campus partners and external stakeholders.
- Review accuracy of stories covering university issues.
- Convene campus issues forecasting group and report on potential and current issues.
- Advise on issues-related communications for schools and units across campus.
- Work closely with representatives and leaders of schools and units to anticipate and respond to issues and trending stories.
- Advise on monitoring and planning for media response in close coordination with the media relations team. This includes offering media training and issues management advice to representatives from the schools and units.
- Support and coordinate with other relevant university units, including Emergency Management and WashU PD.
Team Management
- Serve as a senior leader on the University Marketing & Communications team, working closely with staff to build a collaborative, supportive environment and to facilitate a culture of growth, learning and success.
- In partnership with Vice Chancellor and Associate Vice Chancellor for University Marketing, provide strategic leadership and guidance to the team in support of the departmental strategic plan.
- Contribute to an environment where every member of the team has meaningful work that brings them joy and is fully engaged in support of the department’s strategic priorities.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Working Conditions:
Job Location/Working Conditions
Physical Effort
Typically sitting at desk or table.
Repetitive wrist, hand or finger movement.
Ability to move to on and off-campus locations.
Equipment
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor’s degree or combination of education and/or experience may substitute for minimum education.
Certifications:
No specific certification is required for this position.
Work Experience:
Communications (10 Years)
Skills:
Crisis Communication Management, Deadline Management, Interpersonal Communication, Issue Management, Leadership, Media Writing, Oral Communications, Work Collaboratively, Working Independently, Written Communication
Driver's License:
A driver's license is not required for this position.
More About This Job
Required Qualifications:
- Ten years of experience in communications-related field, working on deadline, with experience writing media statements and working closely with news media.
- Experience working on crisis communications and issues management in a deadline environment.
- Ability to interact in a professional manner with university leaders, faculty, staff, students and the media.
- Proven track record of effectively and positively leading a communications team.
- Ability 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.
- Ability to manage multiple projects at once while delivering on deadlines.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Advanced degree or professional certificate(s) in communications-related field(s).
- Experience and strong understanding of working in higher education environment.
- Track record of effectively speaking with media on the record.
- Experience translating technical content for a general audience.
- Passion for creativity and strategic thinking.
- Dynamic leader who can build and energize a team.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across departments and functions.
- Attention to detail and ability to thrive while working simultaneously on multiple projects in a deadline-driven environment.
- Enthusiastic learner who appreciates the value of participating in a vibrant academic community.
Preferred Qualifications
Education:
Master's degree
Certifications:
No additional certification beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.
Work Experience:
No additional work experience beyond what is stated in the Required Qualifications section.
Skills:
Detail-Oriented, Media Strategies, Multitasking, News Media, Relationship Building, Strategic Communication Management, Strategic Thinking, Team Development, Technical Content Writing
Grade
G00
Questions
For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.
Accommodation
If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email [email protected] or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at 314-935-1149 and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.
All qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship.
Pre-Employment Screening
All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.
Benefits Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to providing a comprehensive and competitive benefits package to our employees. Benefits eligibility is subject to employment status, full-time equivalent (FTE) workload, and weekly standard hours. Please visit our website at https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/ to view a summary of benefits.
EEO/AA Statement
Washington University in St. Louis is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity and especially encourages applications by those from underrepresented groups. It is the University’s policy to provide equal opportunity and access to persons in all job titles without regard to race, ethnicity, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.
Diversity Statement
Washington University is dedicated to building a diverse community of individuals who are committed to contributing to an inclusive environment – fostering respect for all and welcoming individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives. Individuals with a commitment to these values are encouraged to apply.