Assistant Vice President, Strategic Communications

The Pennsylvania State University•University Park, FL

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

Penn State’s Office of Strategic Communications, the University’s central public relations and marketing division, is seeking an experienced, proactive, and innovative leader to serve as its Assistant Vice President, Strategic Communications (AVP). This position will report directly to the Vice President for Strategic Communications, Rachel Pell, and collaborate with academic, administrative, and communications and marketing leaders and staff at Penn State campuses across the state. The AVP will help protect and advance the University's reputation for integrity; nurture pride and attachment among faculty, staff, and students; enhance understanding of and drive support for major leadership priorities; strengthen the institution's commitment to its employees; and advance Penn State's position as an exceptional employer. Specifically, this forward-thinking and collaborative communications executive will provide overall vision and strategic leadership to an integrated team of 11 who are responsible for internal communications, including human resources and change management communications; Penn State News and other news vehicles; and partnership with communicators outside Strat Comm. The AVP will also partner closely with the issues and crisis team to support and work in critical areas facing the University. This individual must be a proactive and engaged member of the office who works toward solutions, directly contributes to the work of the office, and provides perspective on a variety of issues and forces shaping Penn State, as well as higher education, during a time of evolution in the University’s structure and priorities.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in public relations, marketing, communications, advertising, journalism, business administration, or related discipline
10+ years of relevant communications experience (or an equivalent combination of education and experience), including leading communications related to significant organizational change; the demonstrated ability to extrapolate and be valuable to supporting areas such as structural realignment, budget and resource planning, operational transformation, and student success initiatives; and at least eight years of experience in a supervisory or senior management role.
Prior experience in higher education is not required.

Nice To Haves

Exceptional judgment and the ability to anticipate stakeholder perspectives, frame complex issues thoughtfully, and build understanding and confidence during periods of change
An inclusive and facilitative leadership style that inspires and empowers staff, fosters innovation, and encourages open communication and collaboration
Proven experience in a senior communication role within a complex organization serving multiple, broad constituencies
Demonstrated strong leadership skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams and distributed partners
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with an eye for strategic thinking and innovative problem-solving
Expertise in employee communications, engagement, and internal brand development, with a deep understanding of data-driven decision-making
Sophisticated understanding of communications channels and technology, from social media to CRMs to AI
Experience working in an environment serving many internal clients and external constituents
The ability and desire to thrive in a fast-paced, high-impact environment, managing multiple priorities while maintaining a focus on long-term objectives
A commitment to Penn State's land-grant mission and sensitive to the diverse needs of regional campuses
The ability to communicate, relate, and work effectively with and demonstrate respect for people at all levels of the organization and a wide variety of diverse backgrounds and cultures
A high degree of integrity, character, and emotional maturity; humility, a sense of humor, and life balance; and an optimistic personality

Responsibilities

Lead enterprise change communications and stakeholder engagement; serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders to anticipate, evaluate, and clearly communicate the impacts of organizational, operational, financial, and strategic decisions
Strengthen institutional capacity for change management by developing frameworks, processes, and communication strategies that enable leaders to navigate complexity, uncertainty, and competing stakeholder expectations with clarity, consistency, and confidence
Lead stakeholder analysis and engagement planning to shape communications around constituent needs and perspectives.
Help leaders frame complex decisions, so they promote clarity, alignment, and constructive engagement among university and external audiences.
Advance proactive change communications
Equip leaders across the University to lead during this time of ambiguity and increased expectations
Ensure that communications surrounding major initiatives are thoughtful, coordinated, and strategically aligned, positioning University leadership as informed, decisive, and prepared in the face of continual change
Provide support for and collaborate with Commonwealth Campus communicators to maintain a cohesive brand identity while addressing campus-specific needs
Oversee the team responsible for the creation and oversight of university-wide employee communications strategies, programs, and messaging regarding key University initiatives
Develop creative strategies that foster internal brand relevance and cultivate a distinctive employee value proposition, ultimately driving employee satisfaction and engagement across the University
Design and implement a comprehensive employee brand strategy that reflects the University's values, culture, and strategic objectives; aligns with overall internal communication efforts; and supports the University's brand positioning
Conduct thorough data analysis, leveraging insights from employee feedback to craft targeted engagement initiatives that promote belonging, employee satisfaction, and well-being across the University
Partner closely with the VP of Human Resources and their team for implementation and measurement
Coordinate closely with the director of Penn State's issues management team on key priorities to develop and support the execution of comprehensive, proactive, and reactive communication strategies that address crises and emerging issues that may adversely impact the University's reputation or operations
As needed, work closely with the vice president of Strat Comm and her leadership team, Penn State's executive leadership, and cross-functional teams across the University to create cohesive and effective messaging that supports the institution's mission and strategic objectives
Provide thought leadership and strengthen the University's internal expertise and capabilities in outreach and engagement by leveraging emerging technologies and platforms, including AI
Provide leadership support of robust and timely content aimed at informing internal and external stakeholders about news, events, and initiatives across Penn State