Communications Manager, Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Outreach

About the Role
The Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Outreach at the University of Virginia seeks a Communications Manager to help tell and amplify the story of public service at UVA. This is a unique opportunity to shape the narrative of two cornerstone contributors to UVA’s public service ecosystem, specifically Madison House (MH) and Public Service Pathways (PSP), and to advance the University’s mission to educate ethically minded citizen leaders.

This position sits at the intersection of storytelling, strategy, and student engagement. The successful candidate will lead communications and marketing efforts while supporting signature programs and events that connect students, alumni, and community partners around a shared commitment to service.

The role includes a dual reporting line to the Executive Director of Madison House and the Director of Public Service Pathways and collaborates closely with the Division of Student Affairs and units across the University that collectively advance UVA’s public service ecosystem. The role will also have a dotted-line relationship to the Director of Communications in the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost to ensure message alignment and continuity with the Provost’s Office, where Academic Outreach resides.

About the Programs
Madison House serves as the student-led volunteer center for University of Virginia students, supporting student leadership, community partnerships, and a lifelong commitment to service.

Public Service Pathways (PSP) is a rapidly growing initiative that connects curricular and co-curricular experiences to develop citizen leaders equipped to create meaningful change and to sustain public service as a lifelong commitment and a potential career pathway.

Together, these programs play a central role in developing, training, and graduating citizen leaders.

Position Summary
The Communications Manager leads a comprehensive communications strategy across Madison House and Public Service Pathways, overseeing digital and print content, brand alignment, and storytelling. The role is also responsible for supporting key events and engagement efforts-including major university programs, alumni activities, and large-scale service initiatives-ensuring cohesive messaging, strong participation, and effective execution. The ideal candidate is a strategic communicator, strong writer, and collaborative partner who thrives in a dynamic, student-centered environment.

Key Responsibilities
Communications Strategy & Brand Management

Develop and execute integrated communications strategies for Madison House and Public Service Pathways.

Ensure consistent voice, branding, and messaging across all platforms and audiences.

Collaborate with UVA communications partners to align with institutional priorities and guidelines.

Track performance metrics and continuously refine communications approaches.

Content Development & Storytelling

Lead creation of compelling content across platforms, including websites, newsletters, social media, and print materials.

Produce the Madison House annual report and contribute to institutional reports and impact narratives.

Capture and elevate stories of student leadership, alumni engagement, and community partnerships.

Manage press outreach and serve as a primary media contact.

Digital Platforms & Publications

Oversee content and strategy for:

Madison House website

UVA Public Service website (in collaboration with partners e.g. Division of Student Affairs)

Social media channels

Produce newsletters and targeted communications, including multiple biweekly PSP newsletters across student cohorts.

Maintain brand assets, templates, and promotional materials.

Events & Engagement

Support planning, promotion, and execution of key events, including:

Public Service Week

Student engagement fairs and orientations

Alumni panels, community partner gatherings, service days, and recognition events

Lead event-related communications, including marketing, registration, and audience outreach.

Provide

day-of event support , including coordination and troubleshooting as part of an “all hands on deck” team environment.

Partner with staff, students, community partners, faculty, and alumni to ensure events reflect program goals and deliver strong participant experiences.

Student & Program Communications

Partner with program staff and student leaders to produce recruitment and outreach materials.

Support student-led communications initiatives, supervise student interns, and provide coaching on messaging and design.

Ensure program information is current, accessible, and aligned with community partner expectations.

Develop materials for campus engagement opportunities (e.g., Activities Fair, Days on the Lawn, orientation events).

Internal Communications & Operations

Manage internal communication platforms (e.g., Microsoft Teams workspace, staff hub).

Monitor shared inboxes and coordinate timely responses.

Support cross-unit communications efforts across UVA’s public service ecosystem.

Board & Alumni Relations

Support Madison House Board of Directors communications, meeting materials, and logistics.

Contribute to alumni communications, storytelling, and engagement efforts.

Assist with alumni-focused events and partnership development.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree

At least 3 years of experience in communications, marketing, or public relations

Excellent writing, editing, and project management skills with strong attention to detail

Experience with digital tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Creative Cloud, Salesforce Agentforce Marketing, CMS platforms, email marketing systems)

Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities

Commitment to community-centered communication practices

Availability for occasional evenings and weekends

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism, Higher Education, or a related field

5+ years of relevant experience in higher education or nonprofit settings

Experience supervising students or volunteers

Familiarity with student engagement and university environments

Experience with media relations and press outreach

Experience contributing to grant writing or impact storytelling

Anticipated Hiring Range
The anticipated hiring range is $65,000 - $72,000 commensurate with education and experience.

Position Type & Work Location

This position is an Exempt level, benefited position.

The University will perform background checks on all hires (if required) prior to employment. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States. For this role, the University will not sponsor or consider candidates requiring sponsorship for employment visas now or in the future.

As a student-facing center, work will take place primarily in-person at Madison House, at UVA, and in the surrounding Charlottesville community. As a result, the employee will need to reside in the greater Charlottesville area. Hybrid flexibility may be available, generally allowing up to one remote workday per week during the academic year and up to two during the summer, depending on organizational priorities and operational needs.

Application Timeline
Review of applications will begin on July 27 and the position will remain open until filled.

The anticipated start date is late August/early September 2026.

Minimum Requirements

Education: Bachelor's degree required.

Experience: 3+ years of relevant experience.

Licensure: None.

Physical Demands
This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

Job Profile
J1259 - Communications Professional 2

Career Stream and Level
Professional-P2

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.

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