Associate Vice President for Communications

Vassar College•Poughkeepsie, NY

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

Vassar College seeks a strategic and action-oriented communications leader to serve as Associate Vice President for Communications. Reporting to the Vice President for Communications, the AVP plays a central role in shaping and advancing the College’s institutional narrative, strengthening national visibility, and supporting mission-driven priorities through integrated communications and marketing strategy. The AVP is a brand steward who oversees editorial strategy, media relations, internal communications, issues management, and cross-channel initiatives. The role manages professional staff and external partners. It is hybrid eligible, but requires regular weekly on-campus presence in Poughkeepsie, NY.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible leadership experience in communications, public relations, or integrated marketing.
Minimum of 3 years of experience managing teams and advising executives in complex organizations.
Proven ability to combine strategic leadership with hands-on execution; use both a macro and a micro lens.
Minimum of 5 years of experience in media relations, editorial strategy, and issues management.
Agile thinker who can exercise good judgement in a fast-moving environment.
Systems thinker who embraces new approaches.
Exceptional writing, editing, and interpersonal communication skills and ability to address issues with a professional and positive attitude.
Strong project management skills and the ability to prioritize and recalibrate in dynamic environments.
Demonstrated commitment to inclusive excellence and to communicating effectively across various constituencies with divergent views and experiences.
Proficiency with content management systems, analytics platforms, email marketing tools, project management systems, and collaborative technologies.

Nice To Haves

Experience in higher education or similarly complex mission-driven organizations.
Experience in decentralized institutions.
Agency experience or experience managing agency partnerships.

Responsibilities

Institutional Communications Strategy Lead and execute integrated communications strategies aligned with institutional priorities and long-term reputation goals.
Proactively identify creative ways to amplify narratives of the Vassar community via earned, owned, and paid channels.
Serve as an advisor on messaging, positioning, reputational risk, government relations, and contribute meaningfully to crisis communications planning and response.
Model a consultative approach to partnering and approach challenges with energy, fresh ideas, and enthusiasm to drive momentum.
Drive priority initiatives from concept through delivery, ensuring quality, timeliness, and impact.
Ensure cohesive brand alignment and narrative consistency across institutional communications channels.
Reputation, Media, and Editorial Leadership Drive media strategy focused on raising Vassar’s visibility among national, regional, and sector-specific audiences strategically.
Oversee the College’s editorial strategy and news function, elevating compelling stories about faculty scholarship, student achievement, alumni impact, and institutional innovation.
Guide thought leadership initiatives and faculty visibility efforts that position Vassar prominently within national conversations about higher education and the liberal arts, including The Vassar Institute for the Liberal Arts, the Global Collaborative; and beyond.
Lead profile-raising efforts via external campus filming projects (movies, series, etc.) including vendor management, event coordination, and collaborating with campus partners.
Cross-Campus Partnership and Strategic Collaboration Collaborate closely with Advancement, Admission, Dean of the College (student affairs), and other partners to deliver coordinated, high-impact communications initiatives.
Cultivate strong relationships with faculty to translate complex intellectual work into compelling public narratives.
Serve as communications lead for institutional initiatives such as accreditation, public-facing academic programs, and cross-institutional collaborations.
Team Leadership Lead, mentor, and manage communications staff and external partners, fostering a culture of strategic thinking, collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
Establish scalable systems and workflows that streamline processes, support a robust, data-informed content pipeline, and address any process gaps or communication flow issues directly, clearly, and promptly.
Oversee and manage department budgets and expenditures in alignment with operational goals and college policies.