CASE
Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications
CASE, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, 53244
The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee(UWM) seeks a visionary
Vice Chancellor for Marketing & Communications
to join the Chancellor's Cabinet and report directly to newly appointed Chancellor Thomas Gibson. This strategic leader will play a pivotal role in shaping UWM's future by advancing its reputation, brand, and impact in alignment with the university's mission, guiding values, and the bold Make Waves vision—a commitment to innovation, research excellence, and transformative student experiences.
As the chief architect of UWM's marketing and communications strategy, the Vice Chancellor will lead a dynamic division of nearly 40 professionals with a $5M budget, driving initiatives that elevate UWM's profile as a Carnegie “Very High Research Activity” institution. The role demands a forward-thinking approach to storytelling, digital engagement, and emerging technologies to connect with diverse audiences including prospective and current students, alumni, community partners, and external stakeholders.
A central focus will be enrollment growth, retention, and student success, achieved through close collaboration with Academic Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management & Student Success. The Vice Chancellor will champion integrated campaigns that inspire students to join UWM, persist through graduation, and thrive beyond. The role will oversee the creation of storytelling that elicits alumni pride, leads to philanthropic and private giving, and supports athletics. Additionally, this leader will ensure robust internal communications, foster a unified campus culture, and provide decisive leadership in crisis and issues management.
The Vice Chancellor will develop and implement a comprehensive, proactive marketing and branding strategy that reflects UWM's values and aspirations, while overseeing editorial direction, design, and production across digital, print, and media platforms. This includes leveraging partnerships—such as professional sports teams, the city, county and metropolitan area and regional organizations—to amplify UWM's visibility and reputation. The role also anticipates emerging trends in media and technology, positioning UWM at the forefront of innovation in higher education marketing.
Serving as a trusted advisor to the Chancellor and senior leadership, the Vice Chancellor will provide strategic counsel on reputation management, advocacy, and critical issues, while acting as an institutional spokesperson when needed. This executive will lead with vision, promoting a culture of care, trust, and high performance within the division, mentoring staff, and ensuring accountability through measurable performance indicators and outcomes.
Collaboration is key: the Vice Chancellor will work closely with academic and enrollment divisions to align marketing strategies with institutional priorities, foster strong relationships across UWM's decentralized structure, and represent UWM in system-wide and community partnerships. Ultimately, this leader will make waves by amplifying UWM's story, driving enrollment and engagement, and positioning the university as a beacon of research, innovation and inclusive excellence.
To succeed, the Vice Chancellor will be a dedicated team player, builder, and partner, in addition to being extremely adept at leading through influence, empathy, and consensus-building.
Qualifications
A bachelor's degree is required; a master's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, higher education, or a related field is preferred. The next Vice Chancellor will have successfully demonstrated leadership within a large, complex organization, including in higher education, public/private industry, and/or a nonprofit environment.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile, available here. This search will remain open until an appointment is made.
Nominations, applications, and inquiries may be directed to Melissa Fincher and Jenna Brumleve at UW-MilwaukeeVCMarComm@wittkieffer.com
UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other basis protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
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Vice Chancellor for Marketing & Communications
to join the Chancellor's Cabinet and report directly to newly appointed Chancellor Thomas Gibson. This strategic leader will play a pivotal role in shaping UWM's future by advancing its reputation, brand, and impact in alignment with the university's mission, guiding values, and the bold Make Waves vision—a commitment to innovation, research excellence, and transformative student experiences.
As the chief architect of UWM's marketing and communications strategy, the Vice Chancellor will lead a dynamic division of nearly 40 professionals with a $5M budget, driving initiatives that elevate UWM's profile as a Carnegie “Very High Research Activity” institution. The role demands a forward-thinking approach to storytelling, digital engagement, and emerging technologies to connect with diverse audiences including prospective and current students, alumni, community partners, and external stakeholders.
A central focus will be enrollment growth, retention, and student success, achieved through close collaboration with Academic Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management & Student Success. The Vice Chancellor will champion integrated campaigns that inspire students to join UWM, persist through graduation, and thrive beyond. The role will oversee the creation of storytelling that elicits alumni pride, leads to philanthropic and private giving, and supports athletics. Additionally, this leader will ensure robust internal communications, foster a unified campus culture, and provide decisive leadership in crisis and issues management.
The Vice Chancellor will develop and implement a comprehensive, proactive marketing and branding strategy that reflects UWM's values and aspirations, while overseeing editorial direction, design, and production across digital, print, and media platforms. This includes leveraging partnerships—such as professional sports teams, the city, county and metropolitan area and regional organizations—to amplify UWM's visibility and reputation. The role also anticipates emerging trends in media and technology, positioning UWM at the forefront of innovation in higher education marketing.
Serving as a trusted advisor to the Chancellor and senior leadership, the Vice Chancellor will provide strategic counsel on reputation management, advocacy, and critical issues, while acting as an institutional spokesperson when needed. This executive will lead with vision, promoting a culture of care, trust, and high performance within the division, mentoring staff, and ensuring accountability through measurable performance indicators and outcomes.
Collaboration is key: the Vice Chancellor will work closely with academic and enrollment divisions to align marketing strategies with institutional priorities, foster strong relationships across UWM's decentralized structure, and represent UWM in system-wide and community partnerships. Ultimately, this leader will make waves by amplifying UWM's story, driving enrollment and engagement, and positioning the university as a beacon of research, innovation and inclusive excellence.
To succeed, the Vice Chancellor will be a dedicated team player, builder, and partner, in addition to being extremely adept at leading through influence, empathy, and consensus-building.
Qualifications
A bachelor's degree is required; a master's degree in marketing, communications, public relations, higher education, or a related field is preferred. The next Vice Chancellor will have successfully demonstrated leadership within a large, complex organization, including in higher education, public/private industry, and/or a nonprofit environment.
All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the leadership profile, available here. This search will remain open until an appointment is made.
Nominations, applications, and inquiries may be directed to Melissa Fincher and Jenna Brumleve at UW-MilwaukeeVCMarComm@wittkieffer.com
UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other basis protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills, and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
#J-18808-Ljbffr