Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Marketing & Communications

University of Washington•Bothell, WA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Vice Chancellor for Strategic Marketing & Communications is UW Bothell’s senior marketing and communications leader, responsible for strategic direction of the university’s brand, reputation, storytelling and engagement. Reporting to the Vice Chancellor for Advancement, the role partners closely with the Chancellor, the Vice President for Marketing & Communications, and other campus leaders. The position leads an integrated team of 11 professionals working across marketing, communications, storytelling, digital engagement, creative services and advancement communications. The role advances institutional priorities through strategies that strengthen visibility, deepen engagement, support enrollment and philanthropic goals, and communicate UW Bothell’s impact. As a member of the Advancement leadership team, the Associate Vice Chancellor fosters collaboration, elevates UW Bothell’s distinct identity and helps position the university for continued growth and success. This is a full-time, permanent, regular position. The work schedule is hybrid, with three days in the office and two days eligible for telework each week. The work environment is a cubicle/open workspace that may have higher noise levels and visual distractions. Workload and schedule may vary with business needs, including occasional evening and weekend work, sometimes on short or limited notice. Regular local travel is required, with access to reliable transportation.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
At least eight years of leadership experience in marketing, communications, branding, advancement, public relations or a related field.
Equivalent education and/or experience may substitute for minimum qualifications except where legal requirements apply.
Access to reliable transportation for regular local travel.

Nice To Haves

Proven success leading multidisciplinary marketing and communications teams in complex, highly collaborative organizations.
Deep expertise in strategic marketing, brand positioning, reputation management and audience engagement.
Strong executive presence and experience advising senior leaders on communications strategy, messaging, reputation and organizational change.
Demonstrated success leading teams through change, navigating ambiguity and making sound decisions in evolving environments.
Exceptional relationship-building and collaboration skills, including the ability to influence across organizational boundaries and align diverse stakeholders around shared goals.
Ability to translate complex ideas into compelling, audience-centered narratives and identify creative ways to share stories and build connections.
Understanding of how brand, storytelling, reputation and engagement contribute to fundraising, philanthropy and long-term institutional success.
Familiarity with digital communications strategy, emerging technologies, web governance, analytics and AI-enabled tools.
Experience using data, analytics and audience insights to inform strategy, measure effectiveness and drive continuous improvement.
Experience in higher education, public institutions or other mission-driven organizations.

Responsibilities

Provide strategic leadership for UW Bothell’s integrated marketing and communications team, aligning its work with institutional priorities.
Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing team of 11 professionals; foster a collaborative, innovative, inclusive culture of creativity, accountability and continuous learning.
Establish priorities, workflows, resources and partnerships that support effective execution and organizational impact.
Build relationships across UW Bothell and the University of Washington system, and advise Bothell leadership on marketing, communications, reputation management and organizational change.
Lead integrated marketing and brand strategies that advance awareness, engagement, enrollment and philanthropic support.
Elevate UW Bothell’s distinctive identity while strengthening alignment with the broader University of Washington brand.
Enhance the university’s visibility, reputation and impact at regional, state and national levels; identify opportunities to strengthen reputation through strategic communications, storytelling and public engagement.
Partner with academic and administrative leaders on consistent messaging, brand stewardship and audience-centered marketing strategies.
Use research, data, analytics and audience insights to inform strategy, measure effectiveness and optimize results; contribute strategic marketing counsel to university-wide planning.
Lead integrated, audience-centered communications strategies and ensure coordinated messaging across platforms, audiences and institutional priorities.
Provide strategic oversight for media relations, public relations, crisis communications and issues management.
Partner with the Chancellor and senior leaders on executive communications and institutional messaging.
Partner with Advancement leaders on communications supporting fundraising, alumni engagement and campaign priorities.
Oversee campaign messaging, donor communications, stewardship materials and related content; use storytelling to communicate impact and strengthen philanthropic support.
Lead digital communications strategy across web, social media, email and emerging platforms; oversee web governance, digital experience, content standards and quality assurance.
Evaluate emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, and champion responsible, ethical and mission-aligned adoption.
Build partnerships across UW Bothell, the University of Washington tri-campus community and external stakeholders; identify opportunities for shared resources and coordinated initiatives.
Represent UW Bothell in university-wide and professional forums.