Director Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree is required
• 10 years of progressive related experience in communications, marketing, public relations, and brand strategy with demonstrated leadership in complex organizations.
• Proven experience developing and executing brand strategy, positioning, and messaging frameworks that enhance organizational reputation.
• Experience advising senior executives and serving as a strategic partner in messaging, executive communications, and institutional positioning.
• Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels, translating vision into execution while maintaining focus on school and institutional positioning.
• Ability to operate at both strategic and operational levels, translating vision into execution while maintaining focus on school and institutional priorities.
• Self-starter, enthusiastic, excellent communication skills (oral and written, including public speaking) is necessary.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and work as part of a team and to work independently.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree is preferred
• Experience in higher education or healthcare preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate and persuade others, and to demonstrate patience and empathy are preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads the development of VUSN's overall brand and messaging approach, refining how the school presents itself to internal and external audiences.
• Leads and executes the development of a comprehensive communications strategy that aligns with VUSN and university priorities.
• Shapes and maintains VUSN's brand identity including how the school articulates its mission, strengths, and impact.
• Develops and oversees institutional narratives, taglines, and strategic messaging platforms for executive communications, presentations, and major initiatives.
• Provides strategic counsel to the Dean and senior leadership on communications approach, public relations strategy, and reputation management.
• Directs public relations strategy, including media positioning, thought leadership, and external storytelling to enhance awareness and influence.
• Leads integrated, high-impact campaigns that promote VUSN's programs, research, community impact, and institutional priorities to key audiences.
• Establishes clear guidelines to support clear, consistent communication across the school.
• Oversees the planning, execution, and evaluation of communications and marketing programs.
• Serves as the primary communications advisor and liaison to senior leadership, ensuring alignment, clarity, and effectiveness of messaging across stakeholders.
• Directs content strategy and editorial oversight across all channels, including publications, web, social media, and executive communications.
• Ensures coordination and alignment of communications efforts across VUSN, Vanderbilt University, and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
• Leads marketing strategies that support student recruitment, academic programs, and new initiatives, among other VUSN priorities.
• Oversees digital presence, including website and social media strategy.
• Oversees media relations strategy, including proactive outreach, story development in coordination with internal and external partners.
• Manages reputation strategy, including crisis communications in collaboration with central university partners.
• Builds and sustains VUSN's visibility with media, peer institutions, professional organizations, and ranking entities.
• Develops targeted communications strategies to engage key audiences, including prospective students, academic peers, healthcare partners, donors, and national rankings organizations.
• Leads, mentors, and develops the Communications and Marketing team, fostering a high-performing, strategic, and collaborative culture.
• Oversees budget planning and resource allocation for communications and marketing initiatives.
• Translates VUSN and institutional priorities into clear plans, timelines, and deliverables.
• Ensures effective execution of communications initiatives, resolving challenges and maintaining alignment with institutional goals.
• Oversees special projects in support of VUSN leadership priorities.