Associate Vice Chancellor for Marketing and Communications

The Communications and Marketing department maintains Elizabeth City State University's brand, image, and identity by using strategic communications to increase knowledge of and support for the university among its various constituents. The department strengthens relationships by interacting with the media and marketing the university's educational opportunities, programs, services, and activities. As part of an integrated approach to communications and relationship building, the department provides feedback from internal and external audiences to the university.

The Associate Vice Chancellor ( AVC) for Marketing and Communications will serve as the chief communications and marketing officer for the university, leading and managing marketing, media (to include social media), brand management strategy, and internal and external communications execution and evaluation. The position is charged with creating the vision for and leading the implementation of a proactive, innovative, and comprehensive marketing, communications, and branding strategy that highlights the university's strengths, bolsters its ambitions, expands its regional and national profile, and increasingly engages and informs internal constituents (e.g., students and their families, administrators, faculty and staff, alumni, and donors) and external audiences (e.g., prospective students and families, local community members and leaders, local, state, and national leaders, and all applicable media and associations).

The Associate Vice Chancellor will be a member of the chancellor's cabinet, providing leadership and strategy, working closely with the chancellor and senior leadership team for media-related events and during crisis situations. The AVC acts as the public face of the institution, ensuring a polished and consistent image when interacting with media, stakeholders, and the wider community, while presenting themselves and their team professionally in all public appearances and communications.

Advanced knowledge and experience implementing strategies and industry best practices for all aspects of organizational communications, marketing, positioning, and messaging, including sophisticated and creative use of branding, media relations, social media, analytics, and other forms of digital communications.

Extensive knowledge of Associated Press news writing skills, methods, and techniques, and experience writing for a variety of print and digital communications-especially local and regional news and a variety of social media platforms.

Expert knowledge of communications, marketing, public relations, and social media principles and best practices-preferably in a higher education context. Adept at media relations and using various writing styles and multimedia, along with market research, to effectively develop and deploy strategic communications.

Exceptional project management skills and an understanding of, and the ability to utilize, social media strategies to meet organizational strategic goals.

Highly tuned analytical and problem-solving skills, with the demonstrated ability to compile and interpret data. Experience producing high-quality written products, to include producing those products on tight deadlines.

Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships, work under pressure, and juggle various ongoing projects and priorities simultaneously.

Exceptional leadership and team management skills in a communications setting, with the ability to complete complicated assignments involving multiple contributors, editors, and stakeholders.

Superb communicator, effective at establishing and maintaining highly effective working relationships with the university's leaders, as well as with students, faculty, staff, donors, alumni, and the public.

Minimum of a bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, or business required, with seven (7) or more years of experience (post-degree attainment) in journalism, communications, or business with a marketing focus. Exceptional candidates will have a master's degree in journalism or communications, or an MBA (with marketing focus), with more than five (5) years of experience (post-degree attainment). Master's degree in higher education is acceptable, if previous degrees and experience were in journalism/communications or marketing. Strongly prefer a candidate with the credentials and experience at a higher education institution.

This position is Exempt from the State Human Resources Act.

Elizabeth City State University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate in access to its educational programs and activities, or with respect to hiring or the terms and conditions of employment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, political affiliation, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or sexual orientation.

Any offer of employment to a successful candidate will be conditioned upon the University's receipt of a satisfactory criminal background report.

Proper documentation of identity and eligibility for employment will be required before the hiring process can be completed. ECSU is an E-Verify participant.