Assistant Vice President, Strategic Communications & Public Relations

Brandeis University is delighted to announce a career opportunity as the Assistant Vice President (AVP), Strategic Communications & Public Relations. At Brandeis, we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package which includes medical, dental and life insurances. If you are looking to advance your career through educational opportunities, Brandeis offers tuition assistance for employees, dependents and spouses. Our 403b retirement savings plan includes a generous match.

Reporting to the Vice President for Marketing Communications, the AVP will shape and implement an integrated communications strategy that enhances Brandeis' reputation, raises its visibility, and reinforces its distinctive identity.

This leader will serve as a senior advisor and spokesperson for the University, managing proactive media relations, internal and external communications, executive communications, and issues and crisis communications. The AVP will work closely with the President and senior leadership, providing trusted counsel and playing a key role in developing and delivering presidential communications that advance Brandeis' mission and voice. They will be instrumental in elevating Brandeis' reputation as an R1 research university rooted in Jewish Values and as a trailblazer in undergraduate education that is reinventing the liberal arts for the 21st century.

The AVP will lead a talented communications team, fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and continuous improvement. They will develop clear metrics and KPIs to measure impact and adapt strategies based on data and emerging best practices.

Strategic Communications Leadership (20%)

• Develop, implement, and maintain a comprehensive, data-informed communications strategy aligned with Brandeis' mission and strategic goals.

• Serve as a senior communications advisor to the President and senior leadership, providing counsel on reputation management, issues, and crisis response.

• Ensure consistency and integration of messaging across all channels and audiences.

Media and Public Relations (25%)

• Lead a proactive, results-driven media relations strategy to enhance Brandeis' visibility locally, nationally, and globally including pitching stories that showcase Brandeis as a leader in innovative undergraduate education.

• Cultivate strong relationships with journalists, editors, influencers, and thought leaders.

• Oversee the preparation and distribution of press releases, media statements, and other materials; serve as a university spokesperson as appropriate.

• Engage external PR agency partners as needed to amplify reach and impact.

• Monitor media coverage, analyze trends and sentiments, and share insights with leadership to inform communications strategies and protect the University's reputation.

Internal and Executive Communications (15%)

• Develop and execute internal communications plans to keep faculty, staff, and students informed, engaged, and connected.

• Serve as strategic partner to president and senior leadership team, crafting and refining messaging, speeches, statements, and other high-profile presidential and university communications.

• Partner with internal stakeholders and senior leadership to promote a cohesive internal narrative.

Reputation and Issues Management (15%)

• Refine and maintain robust reputation management and crisis communications plans in collaboration with senior leadership, public safety, general counsel, and crisis response team.

• Monitor emerging issues and public perception; proactively identify risks and opportunities to protect and advance Brandeis' reputation.

• Serve as a core member of the crisis response team, ensuring clear, accurate, and timely communication.

Storytelling and Content Development (15%)

• Partner with editorial team to oversee development of compelling, audience-focused storytelling across owned channels, including the University website, newsletters, magazine, and digital platforms.

• Generate national and global press coverage that highlights Brandeis' leadership in reinventing the liberal arts and its distinctive approach to undergraduate education.

• Highlight Brandeis' distinctive research, faculty expertise, student impact, and alumni success.

• Develop and implement strategic distribution plans for key stories, ensuring they reach priority audiences through coordinated pitching, media placements, owned channels, and social media.

Team Leadership and Management (10%)

• Lead, mentor, and inspire a collaborative communications team; ensure ongoing professional development.

• Develop and manage budgets for communications and media relations.

• Establish clear metrics for success; regularly assess and report on impact.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, or related field.

• Minimum of 8-10 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, with at least 3-5 years managing and developing teams.

• Demonstrated expertise in media relations, crisis communications, and reputation management for a complex organization.

• Exceptional written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.

• Proven ability to build strong relationships with media, leadership, and campus stakeholders, including experience supporting presidential or CEO-level communications.

• A sophisticated understanding of best-in-class communications programs, media trends, distribution strategies, and measurement practices, including media monitoring and analytics.

• Demonstrated tact, diplomacy, and discretion, with a collegial, collaborative, and customer-service mindset that reflects Brandeis' core values.

Preferred:

• Advanced degree in a relevant field.

• Experience working in a public relations or strategic communications agency environment, with an understanding of agency best practices and client service.

• Experience in higher education or a similarly complex, mission-driven organization.

• Familiarity with issues and opportunities in higher education communications, including reputation, research impact, and enrollment marketing.

Additional information:

The position is located at the Brandeis University campus in Waltham, Massachusetts. Hybrid work arrangements are available, with a minimum of three days per week in-person required.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Brandeis University is an equal opportunity employer which does not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religious creed, gender identity and expression, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, caste, military or veteran status or any other category protected by law (also known as membership in a "protected class")