Vice President for University Communication and Marketing

Posting Details

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Posting Details (Default Section)

Posting Number

20254555S

Position Title

Vice President for University Communication and Marketing

Position Type

Staff

Location

Villanova, PA

Recruitment Type

Internal/External Applicants

Work Schedule

full-time/12-months

Avg Hours Week

Department

006-Office of University Communication and Marketing

Position Summary

Villanova University invites applications and nominations for an exciting leadership opportunity for the Vice President for University Communication and Marketing. This is an exceptional opportunity to shape and elevate Villanova's brand and reputation on a national and global scale, advancing its Augustinian Catholic mission and commitment to academic excellence. The Vice President will lead a dynamic team responsible for integrated communications, marketing, and brand strategy, partnering across the University to engage diverse audiences, strengthen Villanova's visibility, and support its ambitious goals for the University's strategic vision.

Reporting to the President and serving as a member of the President's team of University Officers, the Vice President for University Communication and Marketing leads a team of 76 to ignite change and create programs that will continue to develop Villanova's brand and reputation to an increasingly national and international audience. As the University's chief communications officer, the VPUCM will serve as a pivotal change agent and strategic partner as Villanova continues to drive the University's mission and the Rooted. Restless. Strategic Plan forward. This includes fostering partnerships across campus to articulate a compelling value proposition for prospective and current students, parents, faculty, staff, donors, and friends of the University.

Villanova University is located in Villanova, Pennsylvania, along the historic Main Line, one of the most sought-after areas in the Philadelphia region. Just 12 miles from Center City Philadelphia, the campus combines the benefits of a quiet suburban setting with easy access to a major city. Philadelphia offers a wide range of opportunities and experiences and home to historic landmarks like Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell, as well as leading cultural institutions such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Barnes Foundation. The city also features a strong dining scene, professional sports teams, and diverse neighborhoods. Additionally, Philadelphia's role as a hub for healthcare, technology, and finance makes it an important center for innovation and business.

Villanova is a Catholic university sponsored by the Augustinian Order. Diversity and inclusion have been and will continue to be an integral component of Villanova University's mission. The University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to the University's mission and values.

Duties and Responsibilities

Provide leadership for a 76-person team, including strategic marketing, branding, communications, and creative services. Structure, build, and cultivate a marketing and communications resource plan.
Develop and implement a proactive, innovative, comprehensive, technology-enhanced enhanced and data-driven strategy for marketing and communications

that ensures cohesive messaging and brand identity across media platforms and audiences in support of institutional goals.

Serve on the President's Cabinet as an officer of the institution to help define and achieve the University's vision, goals, and objectives.
Foster strong relationships with key stakeholders across campus, in the media, with alumni, and regional partners; identify opportunities for storytelling, collaboration, and proactive communication.
Manage the strategic direction and execution of the University-branded social media accounts and serve as a resource for best practices to the broader University community ensuring responsive, high-quality customer service and problem solving.
Report regularly to the President, University senior leaders, faculty, staff, and board of trustees on opportunities, challenges, and trends related to marketing and communications in higher education.
Provide campus-wide leadership for crisis communications, including establishing policies and practices, and offering counsel and advice to the President and senior leaders during times of crisis.
Build and maintain strong relationships with regional, state, and national media organizations.
Develop and deliver robust professional development of staff in areas of leadership, data analytics, and industry standards.
Analyze communications efforts across campus in terms of audience, purpose, and method and develop standards of practice for optimizing and streamlining messages, reducing redundant and conflicting messaging, and introducing efficiencies.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree is required with a minimum of 15 years' experience.
A passion for students and the transformational power of a college education.
Exceptional personal and professional integrity and commitment to the highest ethical standards for programs and teams.
Superb oral and written communication skills.
Proven track record developing and deploying strategic marketing, branding, and communications efforts in a complex, rapidly changing environment, representing a variety of stakeholders and audiences.
Extensive crisis communications experience.
Experience leading and developing large creative teams.
Expertise leveraging technology solutions, including AI (Artificial Intelligence), to conduct market research, inform data-driven decision making, personalize marketing, and improve the user experience.
Demonstrates exceptional ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with campus partners and external stakeholders, fostering a network that supports strategic communications and marketing initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree a plus.

Physical Requirements and/or Unusual Work Hours

Special Message to Applicants

Academic Search is assisting Villanova University in this search. All inquiries, nominations, and applications will be held in strict confidence. Although the search remains open until the position is filled, for full consideration candidates should submit all application materials by February 17, 2026.

Applications, nominations, and expressions of interest can be submitted in confidence to [email protected]. Applications should consist of a substantive cover letter, resume, and a list of five professional references with contact information and a note indicating the nature of your working relationships with each; references will not be contacted without the explicit permission of the candidate. Confidential conversations about this opportunity may be arranged by contacting Senior Consultant, Lisa Ryan ([email protected]).