Vice President, Marketing & Communications

University Of Lynchburg•Lynchburg, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The University of Lynchburg is seeking a full-time Vice President, Marketing and Communications to lead the University’s marketing and communications function. Reporting to the President and serving on the President’s senior leadership team, this strategic leader will advance institutional enrollment, brand, marketing, advertising, and communications goals. The Vice President will establish University-wide objectives, turn data and insights into actionable strategies, develop talent, and steward resources to achieve measurable results. The role partners with Enrollment, Alumni Relations, Athletics, Advancement, Professional Development, academic leaders, and external partners to create integrated campaigns that support institutional priorities, strengthen brand recognition, and achieve enrollment and campaign goals. This is a fully on-site position at the University of Lynchburg; regular in-person campus presence is required, and remote work is not available. The Vice President will lead the University-wide marketing strategy, build and develop a high-performing organization, and steward the University brand across audiences and channels. The position directs creative strategy, campaigns, agency partnerships, and brand standards; advises the President and senior leaders on reputation, crisis communications, brand positioning, and stakeholder engagement; and advances digital and data-driven marketing across the website, SEO/AEO, social media, email, paid media, marketing automation, CRM, analytics, and emerging technologies. The role also oversees proactive media relations, executive and internal communications, crisis and issue communications, budgets, technology investments, vendors, agencies, and strategic partnerships. Marketing and communications practices must align with institutional priorities and applicable accessibility, privacy, legal, and University standards. The University of Lynchburg is a private regional university in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Central Virginia. It embraces diversity and seeks to cultivate an inclusive, equitable, and safe campus climate grounded in mutual respect and understanding. The University is an equal-opportunity employer.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Public Relations, Business, or a related field.
10 or more years of progressive marketing, communications, or related leadership experience, including significant experience leading teams and enterprise-wide initiatives.
5 or more years of management experience, including hiring, developing, and leading marketing or communications professionals and managers.
Proven experience developing and executing strategic, integrated marketing plans tied to organizational goals and measurable outcomes.
Strong business acumen, strategic thinking, and decision-making skills.
Demonstrated ability to lead and develop high-performing teams and foster trust, excellence, and continuous improvement.
Exceptional written, verbal, presentation, and public speaking skills.
Ability to influence, negotiate, and collaborate with senior leaders and diverse stakeholders.
Strong project management and organizational skills, including managing multiple complex initiatives and competing priorities.
High integrity, discretion, judgment, and professionalism in handling sensitive and confidential matters.
Demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence and engaging diverse audiences.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Marketing, Communications, Business Administration, Higher Education, or a related field.
Higher education experience, particularly partnering across Enrollment, Advancement, Alumni Relations, Athletics, and academic leadership.
Digital and marketing technology expertise, including CRM/advancement systems, marketing automation, analytics, paid media, and strategic applications of AI and emerging technologies.
Demonstrated success leading major initiatives such as institutional brand development, integrated campaigns, enrollment or fundraising initiatives, organizational transformation, or high-profile launches.
Executive communications and reputation management experience, including media relations, crisis communication, executive messaging, and advising senior leaders on institutional positioning.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute an integrated marketing and communications strategy aligned with the University’s strategic plan, enrollment goals, fundraising priorities, and institutional brand.
Establish clear priorities, KPIs, budgets, and measures of success.
Provide leadership, mentorship, and accountability for marketing and communications professionals and senior leaders; foster collaboration, creativity, professional growth, and results.
Steward the University brand and ensure a consistent voice, visual identity, and message across audiences and channels.
Lead creative direction, campaigns, agency partnerships, and institutional brand standards.
Serve on the President’s senior leadership team and advise on reputation, crisis communications, brand positioning, and stakeholder engagement.
Lead integrated digital strategy across the University website, SEO/AEO, social media, email, paid media, marketing automation, CRM, analytics, and emerging technologies.
Establish dashboards and reporting to evaluate performance, optimize investments, and improve audience experience.
Partner with Enrollment Management, Advancement, Alumni Relations, and campus leaders on campaigns supporting recruitment, retention, alumni engagement, fundraising, and institutional advocacy.
Use audience insights and market trends to inform strategy and strengthen impact.
Oversee proactive media relations, executive and internal communications, and crisis and issue communications.
Advise the President and senior leadership team on institutional reputation, messaging, brand positioning, and stakeholder engagement.
Oversee the marketing and communications budget, technology investments, vendors, agencies, and strategic partnerships.
Align resources with institutional priorities and ensure practices meet applicable accessibility, privacy, legal, and University standards.