Vice President of Strategic Communications and Marketing

Department: Communications & Marketing

Web Announcement:

Vice President of Strategic Communications and Marketing

George Mason University is seeking a highly experienced industry leader to become its Vice President of Strategic Communications and Marketing. This position will report to the President and is a key member of the executive leadership team. The selected candidate will be responsible for the strategic vision and leadership of George Mason University's public voice, and especially through its public relations, internal communications, and reputation management activities. This position leads and develops the University's external and internal communications, news media relations, social media, brand vision, and supports efforts to attract the best students, to motivate alumni, parents and donors and to attract world-class faculty and staff. This position heightens a unified, transformative marketing strategy and implements an enterprise-wide communications plan and vision that informs and educates key constituents as potential allies and partners, advocates, and investors and positions philanthropic efforts that support university goals.

George Mason University is the largest public research university in Virginia, serving more than 36,000 students from over 130 countries. Mason ranks among the highest research institutions (R1) in the country by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The University has a total workforce of more than 11,000 employees who are experts in a broad range of fields. They have provided critical administrative support to academic programs, published widely, contributed to major research findings and consulted with government and business officials.

Responsibilities:

Marketing Strategy and Brand Development:

• Shepherd a comprehensive and proactive University-wide marketing and branding strategy, aligned with the strategic goals, plans and aspirations of the University; conduct and use trusted market and opinion research as a key component;
• Must create and enforce unified brand standards throughout the University;
• Work in close collaboration with key stakeholders to drive the development and strategic position of the George Mason brand to all audiences;
• Ensure consistent brand marketing and messaging across all platforms including print and digital content;
• Employ integrated marketing initiatives through multiple mediums, leveraging creative assets and partnerships to illustrate the University' impact;
• Oversee the execution of communication strategy, ensuring the development, enhancement and execution of marketing campaigns;
• Manage George Mason University's marketing strategy across multiple platforms, channels, and locations, and acts as a central resource for the marketing professionals throughout the University on the use of the brand;
• Provide data and guide planning, giving strategic direction to University-wide marketing and advertising efforts, including the evaluation of the effectiveness of those efforts;
• Provide targeted marketing, unified messaging and support brand enhancement connecting stakeholder's passions with University vision and priorities;
• Engage communications professionals across the University and facilitate brand integration to ensure that marketing materials are in line with the brand and institutional priorities.
  
  

Strategic Communications/ Leadership:

• Provide leadership and oversight to George Mason University's Strategic Communication Plan advancing the university through memorable storytelling, creative services and broad digital communications;
• Directs University events in order to enhance George Mason University's visibility, strengthen our University brand, influence decision-makers and policy leaders, engage key constituencies, and fulfill major University objectives;
• Plan and monitor the budget cost-effectively, using resources for best results in planning activities;
• Must serve as a resource for the entire University in strategic communications support;
• Manage the implementation of a multi-faceted communications plan using broad concepts to include: strategic communications; brand, theme and messaging; best-practice consultation; print and digital communications production; campaign event communications and marketing; and related digital communications coordination (email, website and social media);
• Lead the creation of communications and marketing materials;
• Provide vision and creativity to implement new forms of communications and marketing for the University, encompassing the latest trusted communications formats, tools and delivery methods;
• Oversee the production of print and digital campaign publications and proposals, targeted marketing programs, event collateral materials, and content for general marketing initiatives, direct mail and e-solicitation campaigns, website content and video productions campus-wide;
• Oversee the University's media relations strategy, including key relationships with on-campus, local, national and international media; develop programs and prepare key administrators to deal effectively with the media;
• Manage the resources and personnel with Marketing and Communications for strategic delivery of services; provide leadership and mentorship to staff, both in terms of departmental strategy and professional development;
• Develop and implement strategies for the use of digital and social media in support of University marketing initiatives;
• Build and maintain a comprehensive internal communications programs to provide continual, meaningful messaging to all faculty, students and staff;
• Provide guidance and review the strategic communication direction campus-wide;
• Bring together important voices throughout the institution to clarify goals and unify messaging to strengthen engagement with all publics, decision-makers, influentials and University community;
• Facilitate information sharing across units on strategy, emphasize transparency and proactive information sharing; work directly with units to develop strategy for positioning and differentiating the University through academic unit level SWOT's.
  
  

Presidential Advisor:

• Advises the President on all aspects of messaging, marketing, branding and communications;
• Advises senior administration and academic deans on marketing branding, and communications strategy and execution;
• Advises the governing board on select messaging, branding, media relations, crisis communications and marketing issues.
  
  

Crises Communication:

• Serve as lead advisor and strategic planner on all critical communications matters; manage communication of difficult and sensitive University issues, including crises and emergency communications;
• University spokesperson for sharing information from the University to the public in times of institutional crisis;
• Work with the University administration and other officials to provide communication for internal and external audiences;
• Taking the lead in ensuring accuracy of information on various platforms, especially social media;
• Strive to safeguard and strengthen the public's trust in George Mason University through accuracy, timeliness, transparency, and integrity in crisis situations;
• Work with academic units in areas of crisis communications, developing contractor resources, media relations, and technology platforms.
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university.
• 10 years or greater of demonstrated senior leadership experience overseeing a comprehensive communications program in a large complex organization.
• Strong marketing expertise; effective management and promotion of brand identity and development of key messages for use with a broad range of constituencies.
• Strong organizational and planning skills with the ability to influence, collaborate and negotiate.
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and execute programs in support of an organization's vision and strategy.
• Visionary thinking.
• Proven track record of effective media relations, along with the ability to develop media relations strategies quickly in response to changing circumstances.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree from an accredited university.

Salary: Commensurate with education and experience.

Location: Fairfax, VA

Mason Ad Statement:

Great Careers Begin at Mason!

George Mason University is an innovative, entrepreneurial institution with national distinction in both academics and research. Mason holds a top U.S. News and World Report “Up and Coming” spot for national universities and is recognized for its global appeal and excellence in higher education.

Mason is currently the largest and most diverse university in Virginia with students and faculty from all 50 states and over 135 countries studying in over 200 degree programs at campuses in Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William, as well as at learning locations across the commonwealth. Rooted in Mason’s diversity is a campus culture that is both rewarding and exciting, work that is meaningful, and opportunities to both collaborate and create.

If you are interested in joining the Mason family take a look at our current opportunities and catch some Mason spirit at jobs.gmu.edu/!

George Mason University, Where Innovation is Tradition.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply at https://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload a cover letter, resume, and a list of three professional references with contact information.

Equity Statement:

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.