Vice President, Public Affairs

Context of Job

Reporting to the President, the Vice President for Public Affairs is a senior leader responsible for advancing the University’s reputation, visibility, and external influence across the public domain, focusing on external relations including press, government and industry relations. This role leads the development of an integrated public affairs, media and external engagement strategy in support of the University’s mission and strategic priorities.

This position oversees the Office of Communications and Marketing and Government Relations, and works very closely with the Corporate & Industry Relations and Development and Alumni Relations, with expected partnership with General Counsel, Community Engagement, Athletics and the President’s Office to ensure coordination, strategic alignment, priorities, and message discipline across all external-facing activities.

The role also functions as a trusted advisor to the President and senior leadership team.

Major Responsibilities

Media Relations & Public Visibility

• Develop and execute a comprehensive public affairs and external relations strategy that integrates media relations, stakeholder engagement, and reputation management.
• Advise the President and senior leadership team on messaging, positioning, and stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Lead information-gathering efforts with internal subject matter experts to prepare senior leaders for media interviews, public appearances, and high-profile engagements.
• Serve as the institution’s chief spokesperson, managing high-profile media interactions and representing the University externally.
• Coordinate the development of news releases, press statements, speeches, and responsive communications.
• Promote messaging discipline, transparency, and consistency through proactive planning and timely, accurate communications.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with print, digital, and broadcast journalists and influencers.
• Secure proactive, high-impact media coverage to advance institutional initiatives, deepen stakeholder engagement, and increase public awareness.
• Lead the University’s Incident Response Team, a small group of leaders that convenes in anticipation of or in response to significant issues that have the potential to create immediate and/or long-term harm to the University’s reputation and its trusting relationships with important stakeholders.
• Serves as the OCM representative to the University’s emergency response team and EOC. Contributes as needed on communications team for acute emergencies and less intensive crises such as weather closings. Trains with other key staff in best practices for emergency communications.

Public Affairs, Government, & External Engagement

• Serve as direct supervisor to leaders within the Office of Communications and Marketing and Government Relations
• Coordinate and align goals and activities across the portfolio of government relations and communications & marketing, and also corporate engagement and development and alumni relations, thereby acting as a central integrator across external-facing functions to maximize institutional impact.
• Build aligned strategic partnerships with leaders in development, research and athletics to propagate consistent and aligned university priorities and messaging.
• Participate in strategic planning discussions, to align priorities and communications efforts where appropriate.
• Strengthen relationships with advocacy organizations, community leaders, and key external constituencies.
• Monitor policy, regulatory, and reputational issues and develop communications strategies to address emerging risks and opportunities.
• Provides support for and coordinates with other relevant University groups and processes, such as Public Safety, Title IX, Student Conduct, and other formal processes for investigating misconduct.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Leadership & Organizational Impact

• Build and lead a high-performing external affairs coalition across the university, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.
• Manage resources, budgets, and external partners effectively.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree and 10 years’ experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience, in public affairs.
• Experience in higher education or similarly complex, mission-driven organizations.
• Demonstrated experience serving as a spokesperson and managing media relationships.
• Proven success advising senior executives and managing high-profile cross-unit coordination.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with colleagues spread across multiple departments.
• Excellent judgment and organizational savvy, with strong writing, editing and verbal communications skills and marketing/outreach experience.
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once while delivering on deadlines. Demonstrated understanding and consideration of the differing needs and concerns of individuals with varying identities, cultures, and backgrounds.

Special Requirements

• Availability to work nights, weekends, and holidays
• Commitment to in person, 5 days per week.