Number of Vacancies: 1

Area of Consideration: Open To The Public 

Position Status: Full-Time, Regular

Pay Plan, Series & Grade: DS0058/1A

Salary Range:  Up to $183,335

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Location: 4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Brief Description of Duties

The Vice President Marketing & Communications (VP) reports to  the Chief of Staff and Senior Vice President and is responsible for overall communications, research-based messaging, marketing, and branding management for the University as a key member of the University's leadership team.  The incumbent will develop, refine, execute, and lead the University's communications strategy, brand, media relations, crisis communication, and reputation management.  The VP will represent and promote the University, increasing its visibility as a vibrant and sustainable University supporting its mission, vision, and goals.   The VP leads the University's central team of marketing and communications professionals. The VP provides strategic direction and coordinates communications produced by other academic, athletics, and administrative units and ensures key university activities are captured in Executive Management communications materials.  The incumbent will oversee University Communications, Brand Management, Marketing, Publications, TV, Web, and News Media activities.  The VP develops correspondence and messaging for internal and external audiences on behalf of the President's Office.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

SUPERVISORY ACCOUNTABILITY:

Leads and directs the marketing, communications management, and public relations staff and coordinates at the strategic and tactical levels with all University departments. Has overall responsibility for the supervision and management of professional and support staff for effective operations and results and is responsible for making recommendations related to compensation, staff selection, handling disciplinary action, complaints, implementing staff performance appraisals, and similar supervisory duties. Facilitates a work environment that encourages collaboration and knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.

NATURE AND SCOPE:

Internal contacts include various members of the UDC Community, including Members of the Board of Trustees and the Executive Cabinet, Faculty, Administrators, Faculty, Staff, and Students.  External contacts include radio, television, and print media as well as the public as it relates to speaking and interview opportunities for the President and the distribution of public relations information. As part of the robust collaboration with other colleagues in the Office of the President, external contacts also include our sister District agencies, and corporate, non-profit, and federal and local agencies related to events or joint media appearances.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Provides leadership and vision in developing and executing a comprehensive and proactive University-wide long-term strategy to include integrated communications, marketing, and branding functions consistent with the strategic goals, plans, and aspirations of the University.
• Prepares internal and external correspondence on behalf of the Office of the President, including speeches, talking points, and background information for media interviews and speaking engagements as designated.
• Designs marketing and branding, online engagement, and other social media presence, press/media relations, and team development and management strategies that enhance UDC’s institutional identity, academic reputation, and goals for enrollment of students, fundraising, and community involvement.
• Creates a collegial, team-building work environment, motivating staff, and cultivating productive, collaborative relationships with all constituent groups.
  • Utilizes a research-based approach to identify key messages and audiences, works consistently to tell the University's stories by weaving them together to create a consistent, unified message in support of the UDC brand, and articulates the University's image and brand in the delivery of the University's message to all constituents.
  • Oversees the University's brand management strategy with the responsibility of positioning the University in the market, determining target audiences, and maintaining the desired reputation.
  • Organizes and facilitates marketing committee representing stakeholders for campus-wide collaboration and participation.
• Identifies situations needing immediate media or public response and responsible for crisis communication planning, serving as the University spokesperson, as necessary.
• Plans and oversees the design and production of all marketing, public relations, and advertising products.
• Ensures effective and efficient operation of the major units in University Marketing and Communications (Communications, Publications, Web and News Media, Photographic Services, and Academic, Athletics and Administrative Communications) by coordinating unit plans, goals, and objectives, designing systems of effective controls to guide work toward expected outcomes, and evaluating progress towards their accomplishment.
• Coordinates synergies between print material, web presence, and social media.
• Develops, executes, and oversees programs necessary to communicate the University's mission and performance to the public.
• Develops related policies and procedures for timely and effective execution of initiatives.
• Communicates the University's position and policies on a variety of issues to specific media and to various University constituencies, which includes serving as the University spokesperson with the media as appropriate.
• Ensures a fiscally sound operation of Marketing and Communications by exercising management practices and implementing income-generating activities, which result in operations within allocated budgets.
• Ensures continuity within the units of Marketing and Communications by developing media relations policies, writing stories and scripts, initiating special publications, writing articles for publications, and performing other related hands-on functions.
• Edits communications materials for distribution internally and externally to print and electronic media.
• Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses as required by the President.
• Contributes to the overall success of the University by performing all other duties as assigned.
• Leads the development and implementation of the University's brand vision, strategy, and public relations campaigns to attract the best students, motivate alumni and donors, and recruit high-quality faculty and staff.
• Research issues that may impact the University and provide recommendations for strategic communications messaging.

Minimum Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and experience in a relevant field is required; Master’s or other additional advanced degree preferred.
• At least five years of management/leadership experience is required, as is experience in one or more of these areas: marketing, public relations, media relations, news and information, video production, photography, publications, or athletics communications.
• A record of success in progressively responsible positions is required.

Information to Applicant

Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is not part of the collective bargaining unit.  

Employment Benefits: Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave and will be covered under the University of the District of Columbia' s retirement plan (TIAA).

Equal Opportunity Employer: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the University of the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived actual race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, personal appearance, genetic information, familial status, source of income, status as a victim of an intrafamily offense, place of residence or business,  or status as a covered veteran, as provided for and to the extent required by District and Federal statutes and regulations. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is also prohibited by the Act.  In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act.  Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated.  Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

Veterans Preference:  Applicants claiming veterans preference must submit official proof at the time of application.

Visa Sponsorship: At this time, the University of the District of Columbia does not provide sponsorship for visas (e.g. H-1B). This position is also ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Residency Preference: A person applying for a position who is a bona fide District resident at the time of application for the position, may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District applicants, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected, the person shall be required to present no less than 8 proofs of bona fide District residency on or before the effective date of the appointment and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.

Drug-Free Workplace: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after conviction of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace.

Background Investigation: Employment with the University of the District of Columbia is contingent upon a satisfactory background investigation.  The determination of a "satisfactory background investigation" is made at the sole discretion of the University of the District of Columbia.  The University may refuse to hire a finalist, rescind an offer of employment to a finalist or review and may terminate the employment of a current employee based on the results of a background investigation.

Disposition of Resume: Resumes received outside the area of consideration and/or after the closing date will not be given consideration. You must resubmit your resume to receive consideration for any subsequent advertised position vacancies. For the purpose of employment, resumes are not considered job applications. Therefore, if selected for employment a UDC application will be required.

Job Offers: Official Job Offers are made by the University of the District of Columbia, Office of Human Resources only.

Contact Information:  All inquiries related to employment and job applications should be directed to UDC Office of Human Resources at (202) 274-5380.

The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University’s EO Policy Statement, please visit: https://www.udc.edu/human-resources/equal-opportunity/ .