Vice President of University Branding and …

Vice President of University Branding and Communications

Denison University, a nationally recognized, distinguished liberal arts college founded in 1831, seeks a strategic and collaborative professional to lead and grow Denison's communications and marketing initiatives. The mission of Denison University is "to inspire and educate students to become autonomous thinkers, discerning moral agents and active citizens of a democratic society." Denison p rovides all students the tools to launch fulfilling personal and professional lives. With a distinguished and devoted faculty, a diverse student body, and a national and international network of engaged alumni, Denison's mission and work rest upon a strong foundation.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES AND KEY AREAS OF FOCUS:

Denison University invites applications for the position of Vice President of University Branding and Communications (VPUBC). Reporting directly to the President and serving as a key member of the President's senior team, the VPUBC advances the work of telling the Denison story, at a national and international level, to prospective students and families, alumni, donors, friends of the University, and other stakeholder groups. The role also supports the President and senior leadership team with key communications and will oversee and grow strategies for effective internal communications. The VPUBC leads a 12-person team that has a strong background in a variety of communications and marketing platforms (print, digital, and video); coordinates, supports, and partners with small marketing groups embedded in Athletics, Enrollment Management, Institutional Advancement (Alumni Engagement and Fundraising), Performing Arts, and the Columbus downtown office; develops and manages a budget; and hires, trains and onboards consultants and freelancers. The successful candidate must have a track record of articulating and executing strategic plans, developing and implementing brand and marketing strategies, and overseeing i nternal and crisis communications.

QUALITIES OF THE VICE PRESIDENT:

Proactive, results-oriented leadership: someone who leads by action, example, and impact; adeptly influences and motivates others; and recruits outstanding colleagues and empowers and holds them accountable for results.

Passion for telling stories that advance the Denison narrative (i.e., innovative curriculum, faculty-student mentorship, vibrant campus life, student outcomes, and proximity to the Greater Columbus area) that can be promoted on various media platforms.

Interpersonal/relational, project management, and communications skills, in addition to understanding of brand management, marketing principles, market research, and analytics.

 Capacity to translate strategic direction into innovative solutions and programs that elevate the Denison brand.

Demonstrated acumen across all communication channels, including digital print video, social media, and live/virtual events. The VP will ensure that university communications reflect market best practices with regard to leveraging technology across platforms and modalities

Communication and consulting skills, confidence to speak up and defend decisions, and the self-awareness to do so professionally. The ability to receive and give feedback to senior leadership.

Ability to work collaboratively within a diverse community with multiple constituencies to build alignment and consensus.

THE NEXT VPUBC WILL BE EXPECTED TO:

Lead a staff of 12 University Communications (UComm) team members who have functional oversight of media relations, social media, digital marketing, Denison.edu, Denison Magazine, photography, video, crisis response, internal communications, and admission and development publications on behalf of the university.

Bring the collective and focused talents and energies of the UComm team together to advance the strategic priorities of the university. Lead the team to conceive and carry out integrated messaging programs for the institution.

Work proactively with the President to position the university and develop and disseminate through multiple means the President's key messages about the university's strengths, people, and priorities.

Partner across traditional boundaries with the President and senior leaders in Enrollment Management, Institutional Advancement, the Provost's Office, and Student Development to define and advance the university's collective strategic communications objectives and strategies.

Support the Vice President for Enrollment Management to articulate the value proposition of a Denison education for prospective students and their families as well as admitted students whom Denison seeks to enroll.

Collaborate with all areas of Institutional Advancement to develop and execute communication strategies that enhance the experience of Denison alumni, family, and friends through engaging, impactful, and persuasive messaging. Develop and execute integrated communications strategies

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for the current post-campaign period, for future comprehensive fundraising campaigns, and for the annual fund.

Work closely with the division of student development to articulate vibrant campus life opportunities that are part of a Denison education (i.e., wellness initiatives, residential communities).

Promote the career readiness story and associated connections to the Columbus metropolitan area, including a new downtown location for Denison. Partner with the executive directors of Denison Downton, the on-campus Knowlton Center for Career Exploration, and Denison's Red Frame Lab for entrepreneurship and design thinking to market Denison's career readiness initiatives.

Seek out opportunities to promote Denison and its brand in regional and national media outlets. Cultivate relationships and pitch stories to higher education editors and reporters. Manage emergent issues to protect Denison's reputation and enhance the Denison brand.

Demonstrate experience and a thoughtful approach to crisis communications, including the ability to serve as an effective spokesperson for the institution in challenging circumstances.

Convene departmental communications and marketing coordinators (e.g., within the Department of Athletics, University Museum, Arts at Denison, Knowlton Center for Career Exploration, Admission, Advancement, and Alumni & Family Engagement) to ensure consistency in brand projection and a coordinated effort to promote Denison.

Work with academic departments and university offices to enhance their online and print pieces in accordance with brand guidelines.

Leverage content development over a variety of platforms and develop a dashboard of metrics to ensure brand progress.

Participate in both the local Granville/Newark/Heath and broader Columbus communities.

Other duties as assigned.

KEY SKILLS:

Brand management, message design, and creative development Exceptionally strong writing, editing, and public speaking skills Leadership skills, including the ability to motivate, inspire, and encourage

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 Analytical mindset with the ability to ask the right questions Strong attention to detail and organization Ability to manage concurrent projects with overlapping deadlines Collaborative and results-driven style that keeps Denison front and center High degree of discretion and confidentiality Intellectual curiosity Precision and facility with language Discerning judgment Advanced skills in Microsoft Office, Adobe, Emma email marketing, and other online

and emerging marketing and communications tools

EDUCATION/PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor's degree and minimum 10 years of work experience in brand management, marketing, market research, analytics, or comparable field.

Sound knowledge of research and analytics, marketing communications, and the importance of brand.

PRESIDENT ADAM WEINBERG

Adam Weinberg joined Denison University as its 20th president on July 1, 2013. Dr. Weinberg started his career at Colgate University, w here he was a member of the sociology and anthropology department for more than a decade. Dr. Weinberg also held a series of administrative roles, including as vice president and dean of the college. Prior to coming to Denison, he served as president and CEO of World Learning, a premier international education, exchange, and development organizations. World Learning works with young people from more than 140 countries, helping them develop the ability to address critical global issues.

Since Dr. Weinberg's arrival, Denison has completed the largest fundraising initiative in its history. The Unlocking Potential Campaign raised more than $243 million to fund six major initiatives: expanding financial scholarships, ground-breaking career initiatives, launching new academic programs (i.e., Global Commerce; Data Analytics; Narrative Journalism; Health, Exercise and Sport Studies; Financial Economics; Global Health; Politics and Public Affairs; and Earth and Environmental Science), enhancing the performing arts -- including the new Michael D. Eisner Center for the Performing Arts -- and innovations in student life. A major focus during the campaign was increasing institutional visibility through storytelling to ensure that Denison's brand captures the essence and values of a Denison education. As part of raising

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Denison's visibility, Denison Magazine was recently redesigned for brand alignment and parity with the website and other print publications.

GRANVILLE, OHIO and GREATER COLUMBUS AREA Denison University overlooks the town of Granville -- a lovely New England style village of about 5,000 people. Routinely named one of the most beautiful towns in Ohio and just a short walk from campus, Granville offers charming shops, restaurants, taverns, and a Saturday morning farmer's market to explore. This is a community, more than just a place to live, with events like the annual holiday Candlelight Tour, Fourth of July festival and fireworks, September Bluesfest, weekly concerts, and polo games on the grounds of the nearby Bryn Du Mansion, giving the community places to meet and get to know one another. The school system is excellent and enjoys the support of parents and the community. Granville provides a beautiful and safe community in which to live and learn, with all the big-city energy of Columbus nearby.

Just 25 minutes from campus by car, Columbus, the state capital of Ohio, is one of the nation's most vibrant and technologically sophisticated cities, with access to cultural activities, great restaurants, local breweries, professional sports, shopping, and worship opportunities. Columbus is the nation's 14th largest city, with a diverse population of more than two million people. Home to some of the largest companies in the world, including L Brands, Abercrombie & Fitch, Wendy's, Cardinal Health, and Nationwide Insurance, Columbus attracts top national and international talent.

EEO Statement: To achieve its mission as a liberal arts college, Denison continually strives to foster a diverse campus community that recognizes the value of all persons regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or socio-economic background. For additional information and resources about diversity at Denison, please see its Diversity Guide. Denison University is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Application Process

Please apply through the Denison Human Resource website at

Click on Employment Opportunities

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