"Director of Communications & Marketing"

Posted Friday, January 26, 2024

Virginia Military Institute is accepting applications for a Director of Communications and Marketing. The director is charged with promoting, protecting, and defending the public reputation of VMI by use of effective external and internal communications through both traditional and new media channels. The director provides leadership to the Office of Communications & Marketing and serves, in accordance with VMI Regulations, as the primary spokesperson for the Institute and as an advisor on communications and marketing matters to the superintendent, senior leaders, offices and departments throughout the Institute.

This position reports directly to the superintendent and coordinates day-to-day activities with the Chief of Staff. The director supervises a team of talented individuals with a diverse set of skills including media relations, publications, marketing, graphic design, social media, content creation and marketing, website design and user experience, photography, and videography.

Key responsibilities:

• Manages the office including administrative, budgeting, and personnel matters.
• Provides oversight and direction to the editorial services, publications, brand services, marketing, and online communications functions of the office.
• Conducts strategic communications and marketing planning for the Institute.
• Creates and ensures adherence to visual and editorial brand guidelines.
• Coordinates communications activities with other offices and departments on post and with the VMI Alumni Agencies.
• Develops and coordinates communications strategies in response to issues that have the potential to affect the reputation of the Institute.
• Leads the communications effort in actual or potential crisis situations, organizes the response of available staff, provides communications counsel to senior Institute officials and serves as Institute spokesperson.
• Serves as the public information officer for the VMI Police and the Institute during emergency situations.
• Acts as the Superintendent’s liaison to the Parents Council coordinating all meetings and business.
• Assist parents with council initiatives that align with the mission of the Institute. 

Minimum Qualifications:

• A master’s degree or equivalent experience in public relations, media studies, communications, marketing, or related field is required.
• An additional five years of related experience beyond a master’s degree is required.

Additional Qualifications:

• Previous higher education communications and/or military public affairs experience preferred.
• Crisis communication and/or incident command system training or certification preferred.

Candidates may apply at: Director of Communications & Marketing-Job Application

A criminal background check is required for the final candidate.

VMI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In a continuing effort to enrich its academic environment and provide equal education and employment opportunities, VMI encourages women, minorities, disabled individuals, and veterans to apply. AmeriCorps, Peace Corps, and other national service alumni are also encouraged to apply. VMI will provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with documented disabilities to ensure equal access and equal opportunities with regard to employment, educational opportunities, programs and services.