Job Description
Vice President, Communications & Marketing
Job ID: 291289
Location: Augusta University
Full/Part Time: Full Time
Regular/Temporary:
Job Summary
Reporting to the Executive Vice President for Strategic Effectiveness and Chief of Staff, the Vice President of Communications and Marketing at Augusta University serves as the strategic leader responsible for shaping and executing a comprehensive communications and marketing vision that advances the universitys mission and brand. This role oversees internal and external communications, media relations, crisis communication, and marketing initiatives across digital and traditional platforms. The VP fosters collaborative partnerships with university leadership and stakeholders, ensures alignment with institutional goals, and drives engagement through integrated messaging strategies. With a focus on team development, strategic messaging, and mission-aligned outreach, the position plays a critical role in enhancing visibility, trust, and community within and beyond the university.
The Vice President will strive to develop communications and marketing programs that illustrate AUs competitive advantages and position AU to reach its vision to be a top-tier university that is a destination of choice for education, health care, discovery, creativity, and innovation.
Responsibilities
Brand Management & Communications Strategy
Lead the development and execution of an integrated communications and marketing strategy that aligns divisions and units to build and protect the Augusta University brand and enhance outreach and engagement through earned, owned, and paid media. Assure that our marketing strategy and tactics are tightly integrated with internal communications, student recruitment, and media relations strategies and that they support the business objectives of AU and its affiliates.
Internal Communications
Develop and implement a proactive internal communications program. Ensure it is sustained and substantive. Monitor campus issues regularly. Promote transparency and share timely information with students, faculty, staff, and support personnel, using all appropriate formats'web, electronic, and other media. Foster a sense of shared purpose, strengthen shared governance, and build community. Guide internal stakeholders through transitions with clear, empathetic, and transparent communication. Build trust, reduce uncertainty, and support a unified institutional culture.
Team Development
Recruit, develop, and retain highly motivated, talented team members who thrive in a fast-paced environment. Coach team to execute their communications, marketing, digital plans, and strategies to effectively represent the messaging maps, amplifying Augusta University's competitive advantages and increasing stakeholder engagement. Provide oversight, development, training, and constructive feedback to communicators assigned to the academic colleges and other divisions across campus.
Assessment, Evaluation, and Stewardship
Evaluate the effectiveness of communications and marketing efforts across the university to ensure that planned objectives and metrics are attained. Routinely monitor vendor performance to ensure that contracted deliverables are obtained. Vigilantly measure performance and results to optimize return on the university's investment.
Collaborative Partnerships
Form productive, collaborative partnerships with university leaders to develop and execute communications and marketing strategies and plans to advance the mission of Augusta University. Partner with senior leadership to ensure editorial and brand standards are reflected in all messaging on behalf of AU. Foster collaborative working relationships with University System of Georgia staff and AU administrators, faculty, staff, students, and community stakeholders. Serve on the Enrollment Planning Council, the Administrative Cabinet, and the President's Cabinet.
Crisis Communication
Develop and implement crisis communications and continuity of operations plans. Collaborate with Critical Events Preparedness and Response (CEPaR) to ensure that we are prepared to respond to critical events. Develop and maintain drafts of messaging for likely and emerging scenarios
Required Qualifications
Bachelors degree with a major in marketing, communications, public relations, journalism, business administration or a related field is required.
At least seven years of experience in marketing and/or communications in one or more of the following settings: higher education, research, government, business and/or industry, is required. At least five years of management experience (e.g., staff development, budgeting, 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 communications.
The ideal candidate will bring strategic vision and hands-on experience managing comprehensive communications programs, including media relations and marketing initiatives that advance organizational goals; be a communications leader with proven expertise in writing and editing across print and digital media; have the ability to develop and implement strategic communications and research-based marketing plans; and demonstrate expertise in making presentations and negotiating with the media.
Preferred Qualifications
A masters degree and/or a professional certification in marketing or public relations is preferred.
Shift/Salary/Benefits
Shift: Days/M-F (work outside of normal business hours will likely be required of an employee in an exempt level position)
The intended work commitment or full-time equivalent (FTE) for this position is 1.0 and considered full-time.
Salary and compensation is commensurate with education, experience, and achievements. The salary is subject to availability of funds.
Recruitment Period: Until Filled
Augusta University offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees.
Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays.
Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program. Consider applying with us today!
About Us
Augusta University is Georgia's innovation center for education and health care, training the next generation of innovators, leaders, and healthcare providers in classrooms and clinics on four campuses in Augusta and locations across the state. More than 12,000 students choose Augusta for educational opportunities at the center of Georgia's cybersecurity hub and experiential learning that blends arts and application, humanities, and the health sciences. Augusta is home to Georgia's only public academic health center, where groundbreaking research is creating a healthier, more prosperous Georgia, and world-class clinicians are bringing the medicine of tomorrow to patient care today. Our mission and values make Augusta University an institution like no other.
Augusta University's distinct characteristics in education and research include real-world experiences and community engagement, as well as a culture of building community, corporate and government partnerships that address health, security, economic and societal concerns locally and across the state.
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found online at
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found online at .
Location
Augusta University
Our Health Sciences Campus:
th Street, Augusta, GA 30912
Conditions of Employment
All selected candidates are required to successfully pass a Background Check review prior to starting with Augusta University.
If applicable for the specific position based on the duties: the candidate will also need to have a credit check completed for Positions of Trust and or approved departmental Purchase Card usage.
Motor vehicle reports are required for positions that are required to drive an Augusta University vehicle.
All employees are responsible for ensuring the confidentiality, availability, and integrity of sensitive patient, student, employee, financial, business, etc. information by exercising sound judgment and adhering to cybersecurity and privacy policies during their employment and beyond.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Augusta University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer welcoming applicants from underrepresented groups . click apply for full job details