Senior Associate Vice President, Marketing & Communications

Wayne State University is searching for an experiencedSenior Associate Vice President, Marketing & Communicationsat its Detroit campus location.

Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.

Essential functions (job duties):

Job Purpose

The Senior Associate Vice President, Marketing and Communications (SAVP) is Wayne State University’s senior leader and officer, responsible for strategizing and leading all actions related to telling the university’s story to internal and external audiences. Reporting to the Chief of Staff and University Relations Officer, the SAVP will continue an ongoing transformation of the University’s Marketing and Communications function into a team that is strategically positioned to support, and generate support for, the future of Wayne State. The SAVP will lead a team of approximately 40FTEs and the programmatic, financial, and operational activities of the Marketing and Communication team. This leader will build systems to ensure the coordination and alignment of dispersed marketing and communications activities, programs and personnel across the university’s divisions, colleges, and schools. The SAVP will serve as a key leader in the University Relations Division and will ensure that internal and external messaging aligns with the university’s strategic vision articulate by the President and engages all our audiences through a variety of channels.

Essential Functions

Lead the university marketing and communication functions– Continue the transformation of this team of into strategic brand ambassadors who are well positioned to tell Wayne State’s story quickly and effectively to a variety of audiences, including coordination of activities, programs and personnel that are distributed across the university’s divisions, colleges, and schools.

Deliver effective internal communications– Develop strategies and tactics to communicate strategic institutional priorities more effectively to and with the campus community aligned with the university messaging to improve impact and influence with key stakeholders.

Respond to emerging issues– Provide advice, action, and support to the executive team charged with responding to challenging and emergent issues.

Build longer-term strategies– Coordinate with executive staff and communicators, especially those in recruitment, research, and academic affairs to build communications and marketing strategies that support and grow key academic functions, as well as with those in development and alumni affairs, and economic development to enhance external advocacy and engagement.

Utilize metrics for measuring success– Implement, analyze, report, and implement adjustments based on measurements of marketing and communication impact. Proactively inform executive team of pertinent information on emerging trends and media issues.

Oversee product creation– Lead the development of varied and integrated organization communications products and services which may include reports, newsletters, and marketing collateral materials.

Perform other related duties as assigned.

Work Context

Job Reports to: Vice President/AVP/Dean.

Leadership Accountability: Develops strategic plans and interprets policy.

Supervisory Accountability: Supervises through management personnel.

Organizational Accountability: Manages department.

Financial Accountability: Manages operating budget.

Customer Accountability: Interfaces with officials and executives.

Freedom to Act: Sets broad policies and objectives.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications

Education

Bachelor's degree, Master’s degree preferred.

Experience

Expert (established subject matter expert, 7+ years experience).

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Commitment to and enthusiasm for the strategic vision, mission and purpose of an urban university.

• 7+ years of communications and marketing experience, including working in or with a large university.

• Demonstrated experience leading a team in a mission-driven marketing and communications operation with varied internal and external audiences.

• Ability to influence, lead and guide staff and leaders in transformative change; the ability to assess performance, coach and mentor staff.

• Demonstrated facility and experience with modern marketing (e.g. CRM) and communications digital tools (e.g., SEO, content management systems, geofencing, etc.) and social channels that enhance impact.

• Outstanding management, operational, and planning skills with the ability to ensure simultaneous movement of multiple projects.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including diplomacy and poise during tense situations.

• Proficiency in marketing automation and analytics tools, deep knowledge of marketing operations and platforms with a data-driven approach to marketing decision-making.

• Experience building a long-term strategy with a cross-functional executive team.

• Ability to collaborate with other leaders of diversity professional backgrounds, through formal and informal channels, to plan initiatives and resolve concerns that bridge divisional lines.

  School/College/Division:

H87 - Marketing and Communications

Primary department:

H8711 - VP Marketing & Communications

Employment type:

• Regular Employee

• Job type: Full Time

• Job category: Executive

Funding/salary information:

• Compensation type: Annual Salary

• Salary minimum: $185,000

• Salary hire maximum: $200,000

Working conditions:

• Primarily in-person on our Detroit campus. • Extended work hours. • Infrequent travel around the region, state, and country.

Job openings:

• Number of openings: 1

• Reposted position: No

Background check requirements:

University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.

Equal employment opportunity statement:

Wayne State University provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. The university encourages applications from women, people of color and other underrepresented people. Wayne State is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.