Vice President, Strategic Communications

New York University • New York, NY

2d • $280,000 - $350,000

About The Position

NYU is a leading private research university with multiple campuses and global study sites. It emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, global education, and a strong commitment to accessibility and impact. The university values staff leadership and aims to foster a diverse, welcoming community of students, faculty, and staff. The Vice President, Strategic Communications partners closely with the Senior Vice President, University Relations and Public Affairs (URPA) and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer, the Offices of the President and Provost, as well as with external partners in University Development & Alumni Relations, Admissions, Student Life, Office of the General Counsel, Chief Legal Officer, as well as school Deans and their communications offices, to advance a strategic communications plan for the University and its leadership, as well as coordinating that plan’s execution across the division. The Vice President will serve as a core leader in URPA’s change management, helping to share the department’s structure and function to meet the University’s complex communications needs. As a trusted advisor to the Senior Vice President and as a senior member of the URPA leadership team, the Vice President builds and mentors a high-performing team, which includes building out an Executive and Institutional Communications function within the division, which will coordinate the wide array of communications within the University community. This consolidated function will better align the communications of the University and its leadership to schools and centers, students, faculty and employees, leveraging the institution’s breadth of channels and voices to foster a stronger sense of community and integration. In this leadership role, the Vice President will ensure the effective coordination and convening of University partners outside of URPA to align on a cohesive approach to storytelling and communication, as well as foster a culture of collaboration among school-based communicators and their teams to share strategy and messaging. The Vice President will assist University leadership in responding to the breadth of internal and external issues facing higher education, navigating a complex stakeholder and governmental environment. This includes working with the Senior Vice President to coordinate crisis response and communication.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree
• 12+ years of progressively responsible experience in corporate or executive communications, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience managing senior communications teams.
• Experience developing and executing integrated communications strategies that include public relations and marketing.
• Experience advising leadership and internal stakeholders on effective strategies for communication and engagement.
• Proven ability to develop and implement integrated communications strategies that support institutional goals and enhance reputation across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Exceptional strategic thinking, judgement, and decision-making skills, including the ability to navigate high-stakes and sensitive issues with discretion, nuance, and professionalism.
• Strong interpersonal and leadership capabilities, including the ability to inspire and manage and foster collaboration across teams.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, balancing strategic priorities with operational execution.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages for different audiences and channels.
• In-depth understanding of the higher education landscape, including the unique needs of students, faculty, staff, and global audiences, with the ability to tailor communications and engagement strategies accordingly.

Nice To Haves

• Master's Degree in Communications, Marketing, Business Administration, or other relevant field.
• 5+ years experience within an academic institution, large company, or government agency.
• 10+ years Extensive experience across multiple areas of communication, including public relations, marketing, social media
• Strong knowledge and experience in crisis communications.

Responsibilities

• Advance a strategic communications plan for the University and its leadership, and coordinate that plan’s execution across the division.
• Serve as a core leader in URPA’s change management, helping to shape the department’s structure and function to meet the University’s complex communications needs.
• Build and mentor a high-performing team, including building out an Executive and Institutional Communications function within the division.
• Coordinate the wide array of communications within the University community.
• Ensure the effective coordination and convening of University partners outside of URPA to align on a cohesive approach to storytelling and communication.
• Foster a culture of collaboration among school-based communicators and their teams to share strategy and messaging.
• Assist University leadership in responding to the breadth of internal and external issues facing higher education, navigating a complex stakeholder and governmental environment.
• Coordinate crisis response and communication with the Senior Vice President.

Benefits

• New York University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position, candidate's experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, as well as, market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive