Assistant or Associate Vice President, Strategic Communications

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JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Penn State's Office of Strategic Communications, the University's central public relations and marketing division, is seeking an innovative and experienced leader to be the University's Assistant or Associate Vice President (AVP) for Strategic Communications. This position will report directly to the Vice President for Strategic Communications, Rachel Pell, and will collaborate with academic, administrative, and communications and marketing leaders and staff across 24 campuses to provide overall vision and strategic leadership for internal communication, change management, issues management, and crisis communication.

The Opportunity

As a seasoned, proactive, and forward-thinking communications expert and leader, the person in this role 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.

The successful candidate will bring an inclusive and facilitative leadership style that inspires and empowers staff, fosters innovation, and encourages open communication and collaboration. Partnering with talented and dedicated staff within the Office of Strategic Communications, as well as faculty and administrative leaders throughout Penn State, this leader will continue to build and implement a clear, unified vision for strategic communication aimed at strengthening the University's culture, supporting its employees, protecting its reputation, and managing institutional change.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a proven leader to make a lasting impact at one of the nation's preeminent public research universities by shaping communication strategies at the highest level while engaging, informing, and connecting internal and external stakeholders with the institution's mission and strategic goals, particularly during periods of institutional change.

This is a hybrid position that requires occasional evening and weekend hours.

Position Summary

The Assistant or Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications will provide vision and leadership for crucial areas of communication at Penn State, including crisis and issues management, internal and change management communications, and HR/employee relations communications. This role will also collaborate with leadership in the Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses to provide strategic communication counsel and support that advances Penn State's commitment to its Commonwealth campuses.

The AVP will lead a centralized team of talented professionals and be responsible for the following key areas:

• Crisis and Issues Management:

  • Lead Penn State's issues management team and develop, implement, and manage 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.

  • Engage with external stakeholders-including media, government officials, and community leaders-to manage the University's reputation and navigate complex issues.

  • Work closely with Strategic Communications' vice president and leadership, 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.

• Internal and Change Management Communications:

  • Provide thought leadership and strengthen the University's internal expertise and capabilities in employee engagement and change communication

  • Oversee the communications team responsible for informing, engaging, and supporting internal stakeholders through periods of organizational change.

  • Lead the development and execution of change communication plans for University-wide initiatives.

  • Provide leadership support of robust and timely content aimed at informing internal and external stakeholders of news, events and initiatives across Penn State.

  • Provide support for and collaborate with Commonwealth Campus communicators to maintain a cohesive brand identity while addressing campus-specific needs.

• HR/Employee Relations Communications:

  • Lead the team responsible for the creation and oversight of University-wide employee communications strategies, programs, and messaging regarding key University initiatives.

  • Develop and implement strategies that foster internal brand relevance and cultivate a distinctive employee value proposition, ultimately driving employee satisfaction, engagement, and retention 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.

  • Establish metrics and develop and implement strategies for tracking and reporting on the Penn State employee experience.

  • 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.

All of this needs to be accomplished with a high level of professionalism and integrity; a transparent, team-oriented, and collaborative style; a demonstrated commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity, access, and belonging; a passion for the mission of Penn State; and a commitment to identifying and embracing opportunities for change that will move the University forward.

The ideal candidate for this position will:

• Have proven experience in a senior communication role, preferably within a complex organization, with a focus on crisis and issues management.

• Demonstrate strong leadership skills and the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams and stakeholders.

• Possess exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with an eye for strategic thinking and innovative problem-solving.

• Have a proven track record in developing and implementing successful communication strategies, particularly in times of change or crisis.

• Exhibit expertise in employee communications, engagement, and internal brand development, with a deep understanding of data-driven decision-making.

• Thrive in a fast-paced, high-impact environment, managing multiple priorities while maintaining a focus on long-term objectives.

• Be committed to Penn State's land-grant mission and sensitive to the diverse needs of regional campuses.

• Foster a collaborative work environment that empowers teams to deliver high-impact communication solutions.

Education and Experience

Typically requires a bachelor's degree in public relations, marketing, communications, advertising, journalism, business administration, or related discipline (or an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience). Qualified candidates will have ten or more years of relevant communications experience, an extensive background in issues/crisis management, a solid understanding of and experience with change management, and at least eight years of experience in a supervisory or senior management role. The position will be filled as an Assistant or Associate Vice President, depending on the selected candidate's education and experience. Prior experience in higher education is not required.

More about Penn State's Office of Strategic Communications

As Penn State's central public relations and marketing division, Strategic Communications is a fully integrated, award-winning, best-in-class marketing and public relations team defined by innovative strategy and breakthrough creative driven by measurable goals. We advance the University by strengthening and protecting the institution's reputation in regional, national and international spheres of influence in ways that serve recruitment, resource and leadership goals.

Spanning Penn State's large-scale enterprise-including 24 campus locations across Pennsylvania, nearly 90,000 students, and an alumni base exceeding 700,000-Strategic Communications' work encompasses all forms of communications and engagement, ranging from branding, marketing, and trademark and event management to internal communications, proactive and social media, research communications, and crisis and issues management. We've attracted talented and diverse team members from private and public sectors at all levels of our division, giving us the ability to build a strategic program of excellence recognized throughout the University.

Strategic Communications values and reflects Penn State's commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB), and our DEIB committee is actively involved in providing staff programming that helps incorporate DEIB principles into the fabric of our communications.

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