Job description
Unit: Office Of The Provost MBU
Department: Academic Administration & Operations
Duties & Responsibilities:
This position plays a pivotal role in shaping how Virginia Commonwealth University communicates its academic vision, priorities, and achievements. Reporting jointly to the Executive Vice President and Provost and the Vice President for Enterprise Marketing and Communications (EMC), this position serves as a strategic bridge between VCU’s academic and communications leadership.
This position is central to ensuring that the university speaks with a clear and coordinated voice about its academic mission and achievements. Working at the intersection of the academic enterprise and EMC, the AVP will help elevate the visibility and understanding of VCU’s academic excellence and innovation across all audiences.
The AVP will lead and coordinate integrated communications strategies that advance the university’s academic mission, enhance institutional reputation, and align the priorities of the Office of the Provost with VCU’s broader brand and enterprise communications efforts.
Core responsibilities
- Strategic leadership: Develop, implement and assess a comprehensive communications strategy that advances the priorities of the Provost’s Office and Academic Affairs while aligning with university-wide goals and the VCU brand.
- Integration and collaboration: Work closely with the Provost, Vice President for EMC, deans and communications professionals across Academic Affairs to ensure consistent, coordinated messaging, strategy and funding at all levels.
- Team leadership: Supervise professional communications staff within the Provost’s Office, fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture focused on excellence and service.
- Messaging and content: Oversee internal and external communications, including messaging, editorial content, speeches, web content and social media strategies for the Provost’s Office in partnership with EMC teams.
- Crisis and issues management: Provide counsel to the Provost and Vice President for EMC during sensitive or high-profile issues, ensuring accuracy, clarity and timeliness in communication.
- Digital presence: Oversee the Provost’s website and social media platforms to provide alignment with university goals, standards and priorities. Work with Academic Affairs communications leaders to do the same at all levels.
Required skills and competencies
- Exceptional written, oral, and presentation skills.
- Strong strategic planning and implementation abilities, with demonstrated success in designing comprehensive institutional communications strategies.
- Analytical and conceptual problem-solving skills.
- Proven leadership and team management experience, including recruitment, supervision and performance development.
- Ability to lead effectively in crises and provide sound judgment under pressure.
- Strong interpersonal and decision-making skills.
- Proficiency in digital communications tools and emerging media trends.
- Ability to evaluate communications effectiveness using data and analytics.
- Capacity to work collaboratively across divisions to create integrated communications solutions that advance institutional goals.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree in journalism, communications, public relations or a related field preferred.
- Substantial experience in strategic communications, public relations or marketing leadership, ideally within a higher education or large, complex organization.
- Demonstrated success advising senior leadership and integrating communications across multiple units.
- Demonstrated ability to work and foster an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
- Experience in media relations, crisis communications and digital engagement.
- A deep understanding of the communications needs of a large public research university and its academic enterprise.
Salary Range: $148,000 to $190,000
This position is open exclusively to current employees of Virginia Commonwealth University.
Priority Application Deadline: Friday, December 12, 2025
Benefits: 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, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.
FLSA Exemption Status: Exempt
Hours per Week: 40
Restricted Position: No
ORP Eligible: Yes
Flexible Work Arrangement: Hybrid
University Job Title: 1391S – Sr Administrator CM Senior
