Associate Vice President for University Marketing and Communications

Associate Vice President for University Marketing and Communications

Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) seeks an experienced and multi-talented senior communications professional to serve as the Associate Vice President (AVP) for University Marketing and Communications. Reporting to the Vice President for University Advancement, the AVP will lead, manage, mentor, and inspire a dynamic team of marketing and communication professionals in developing and executing comprehensive, integrated marketing and communication strategies that advance the University's mission, enhance its visibility, strengthen brand identity -- while, also supporting student recruitment, alumni engagement, and community outreach.

The AVP will serve as the university's lead marketing officer, providing strategic oversight for all aspects of brand management, institutional positioning, and market visibility. On the marketing side, this includes developing and implementing integrated strategies for brand identity, advertising, enrollment marketing, creative services, and digital engagement to strengthen the university's reputation and competitive presence. In addition, the AVP will hold senior responsibility for communications, directing media and public relations, internal and external communications, crisis communication, and digital content strategy. In this capacity, the AVP ensures that the university's voice is consistent, aligned with institutional priorities, and effectively conveyed across key audiences and platforms.

This position is a member of the President's Executive Committee and collaborates closely with university leadership, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and external stakeholders to advance the mission and strategic goals of the institution.

Responsibilities:

• Envisions, develops and implements a successful university-wide marketing and communications strategy aligned with PVAMU's strategic plan and goals.
• Assesses, builds, manages, and leads a high-performing team of professionals in marketing, design, media relations, crisis and digital communications strategy deployment.
• Integrates University Marketing and Communications into the University ecosystem, all-encompassing of decentralized marketing and communication professionals, to support and achieve University goals and priorities.
• Coordinates the planning and execution of University Marketing and Communication high-priority projects ensuring alignment with institutional goals and timelines, by developing project plans, timelines, and status reports; actively monitoring progress and proactively identifying and addressing any issues or risks that could impact success.
• Develops and manages annual departmental budgets and resources efficiently, including appropriate analysis of return on investment. Oversee contracts with vendors, consultants, and external partners.

• Builds campus partnerships with a high degree of integrity, equanimity, diplomacy, and consensus-building as an active listener and observer.
• Communicates openly with superior skills in stewarding large projects across a complex system. Guides communications planning with campus partners including but not limited to: enrollment management and student success; provost's office; athletics; research and innovation; student affairs; university advancement; and business and finance.
• Builds and maintains solid working relationships with faculty to promote their work and its impact on building a transformative educational experience for students and/or contributing to solutions regarding complex societal challenges.

• Leads communication strategies to support fundraising campaigns, alumni initiatives, stewardship programs, and corporate partnerships. Collaborate with development officers to produce compelling cases for support, campaign materials, donor impact reports, and targeted communications. Central to this responsibility is the direction of storytelling efforts that highlight student success, faculty achievement, research impact, and donor generosity.

• Maintains and evolves the University's brand identity, ensuring consistency, fidelity, and integrity across all communication channels. Oversees the production of branded materials, publications, and promotional content.
• Manages campus fidelity to the college style guide and brand protocols, while ensuring adherence to industry standard guidelines (i.e. AP Stylebook).

• Serves as the University's primary media contact and spokesperson when appropriate.
• Cultivates, builds and maintains strong relationships with local, regional, and national media outlets, pitching story ideas, and elevating the University's media footprint Creates and manages crisis communication protocols and serves as lead communicator during emergency and reputation-impacting situations.

• Oversees the development and maintenance of the University's website, social media platforms, and other digital content.
• Leads the optimization of data-driven digital platforms and tools to support outreach strategies and marketing campaigns for brand awareness and perception, student recruitment and retention, institutional advancement research and innovation, and other ad hoc initiatives as needed.

• Establishes clear and consistent procedures and guidelines to ensure timely and informative communication with internal stakeholders including faculty, staff, and students.
• Supports external communications for alumni, donors, prospective students, and the broader community through existing platforms and the creation of new outlets.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in communications, public relations, marketing, journalism, or related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in marketing and communications, including supervisory experience.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, brand development, crisis communication, and media relations.
• Strong writing, editing, and public speaking skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in marketing, communication, business administration, or related discipline.
• Experience in higher education or a large, mission-driven organization preferred.
• Familiarity with the unique mission and values of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
• Experience with digital marketing analytics and CRM tools (e.g., Slate, Salesforce, Google Analytics).
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.