William Peace University is a nationally-ranked, award-winning institution located in one of the best cities in the United States in downtown Raleigh, NC. WPU provides a culture that values diversity, fosters an energized team environment, builds on our strengths, promotes creativity and innovation, and encourages inclusiveness, respect, and open communication by leading with our actions. Our mission is to prepare our students for careers in the organizations of tomorrow. The ideal candidate will have the ability to embrace the five core values, mission, and vision of William Peace University. Follow your passion and make an impact at WPU!

The Department of Marketing and Communications tells the story of WPU to prospective students, parents, and the greater community. This Department leads the integrated marketing efforts for the University in an effort to elevate and drive brand awareness and enrollment.

The Assistant Vice President (AVP) for Integrated Marketing and Communications plays a pivotal role in elevating the reputation of William Peace University to attract students, faculty, and donors. Reporting to the Vice President for Enrollment Management and Marketing, the Assistant Vice President (AVP) leads all facets of the University’s marketing and communication strategy. The AVP develops and implements long-term strategic marketing, public relations, and branding campaigns that drive student enrollment, retention, and community awareness. The AVP serves as a key strategic advisor to University leadership & departments across campus, ensuring consistent branding and messaging. This position, in partnership with the Director of Integrated Marketing and Communications, serves as the chief spokesperson for the University and manages and coordinates all official media relations including those pertaining to crisis communication.

● Provide strategic direction for marketing William Peace University to raise its profile in the Triangle area and beyond, in order to attract students and create potential corporate and community partnerships.

● Emphasize a strong focus on building and strengthening the William Peace University brand.

● Lead implementation of strategies and provide oversight to marketing and communications staff, external consultants, and internal/external partners tasked with implementing marketing programs and enhancing the university brand.

● Lead a centralized Integrated Marketing and Communications team of professionals while ensuring strong cross-departmental collaboration.

● Ensure cohesive messaging and brand identity that extends across all media and communications platforms and departments.

● Use quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate the success and effectiveness of marketing and communications initiatives and campaigns with target audiences on an ongoing basis. Adjust strategies and tactics as necessary to meet long-term objectives, annual goals, and KPIs. Provide reports and analysis to University leadership and the Board of Trustees, as requested.

● Create and implement communication plans that identify objectives, strategies, target audiences, tactics and key messages for various initiatives and projects.

● Serve as an advisor to University leadership on communications matters and messaging to internal and external constituencies. Prepare or oversee the preparation of executive communications.

● Act as chief spokesperson and head of media relations on behalf of the University, as appropriate

● Support crisis management planning and crisis communications policies and procedures. Work with colleagues and key stakeholders to elevate and protect the University’s reputation through crisis communications, positioning, and marketing campaigns.

● Prioritize positive media coverage of noteworthy developments including student/alumni successes, faculty and staff accomplishments, related philanthropic support, and community engagement.

● Develop and maintain strong working relationships with subject matter experts across campus and in the community, and with journalists at media outlets. Monitor emerging, high-potential partners, writers, and websites that may be valuable future partners.

● Develop collaborative relationships with academic units, University offices, and other partners across campus to effectively tell the WPU story in a way that is consistent with its brand personality and strategy.

● Understand academic units’ and other offices’ specific priorities, communicate how those integrate with the University’s marketing and communications strategy and goals, and align expectations for how the Department can effectively support those priorities.

● Proactively ensure the University’s marketing and communications strategies remain innovative and incorporate the technology and platforms used by its target audiences.

● Provide leadership and partner with academic units and University offices to develop and implement strategies to engage and connect with traditionally underrepresented and underserved communities to support and enhance diversity within the University community.

● Periodically conduct market research and adjust strategies and/or tactics to account for insights gained from such research.

● Oversee the recruitment, training, management, and retention of marketing and communications professionals. Ensure team members benefit from professional development opportunities.

● Foster an environment that encourages collaboration, creativity, innovation, respect, and accountability.

● Guide and empower team members through transparency, active communication, and clear direction, placing team members’ work within the context of WPU’s priorities and goals.

● Evaluate and, as appropriate, improve marketing and communications processes and workflows.

● Ensure compliance with accessibility standards and all pertinent laws, regulations, and University policies (including FERPA).

● Develop and implement standardized processes and best practices for marketing operations, ensuring consistency and efficiency across all marketing activities.

● Appropriately manage the department’s budget and resources.

● Bachelor’s degree in communication, journalism, English, marketing, or relevant field with 10 years of related experience.

● Significant knowledge and experience in integrated marketing and managing projects in a complex organization.

● Previous leadership and supervisory experience, preferably in a Higher Education setting.

● Excellent marketing research, analytical and problem recognition skills.

● Excellent oral, written, and visual communication skills, including interviews, research, and copy editing.

● Ability to understand, interpret, and use data and analytics to drive strategic efforts.

● Skilled at budget and resource management.

● Sound decision-making ability and good judgment.

Strong operational focus, strategically supporting growth and/or change.

Masters in related field with more than 15 years of progressive experience, including supervisory experience within a Higher Education environment.