Assistant Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs

GENERAL PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE POSITION:
The Assistant Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs (AVP) serves as a strategic leader and trusted advisor advancing Ivy Techs mission through dynamic consistent and values-driven communications. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of Legal and Public Affairs this role integrates external media strategy internal communications executive visibility and issues management to elevate the Colleges voice across Indiana.

This position works closely with Systems Office and campus leaders to build awareness of Ivy Techs impact promote our brand and shape public perception. It supports the President and executive team with media strategy and executive communications and partners across departments to proactively tell the Ivy Tech story in compelling and innovative ways working collaboratively with the marketing team.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and execute a proactive media relations strategy to position Ivy Tech as a leader in workforce-aligned education and student success. Engage national and regional outlets higher ed trades and local media to elevate key initiatives outcomes and partnerships.

• Support internal communications in coordination with Systems Office leadership and HR.

• Collaborate with Marketing to shape and refine the Colleges narrative and brand voice across platforms ensuring consistency clarity and impact.

• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Systems Office and campus leadership on public messaging especially as it relates to statewide issues. Draft and refine speeches blogs op-eds panel remarks and key messaging to ensure alignment with College values and strategic priorities

• Act as the Colleges lead media liaison. Build relationships with reporters editors and media influencers. Support campus communications teams in media outreach and messaging alignment.

• Lead preparation and response for sensitive and crisis communications in partnership with College leadership Legal Government Relations HR and Public Safety. Proactively mitigate risks and manage response strategies when issues arise.

• Support the Colleges digital communications strategy in collaboration with Marketing. Use digital tools to amplify leadership voices and College priorities.

• Develop and implement media and message training for leaders and staff who represent the College. Offer guidance on media interviews public speaking and external engagements.

• Maintain update and enforce the Colleges media public communications and crisis communications policies in collaboration with HR Legal Public Safety and Marketing.

• Build contacts in the media and develop relationships to drive high-quality coverage of the Colleges work.

• Support strategic communications to key audiences including policymakers business leaders donors students and employees. Identify and activate influencers and champions.

• Serve as primary liaison to the Colleges external communications firm. Manage projects and ensure quality value and strategic alignment.

• Monitor media coverage track sentiment and public perception and provide insights to executive leadership. Summarize trends and impact in monthly briefings. Monitor the Colleges reputation among key audiences and take steps to improve or correct stakeholder perceptions.

• Counsel the marketing and communications teams of the Colleges 19 campuses on communications strategy media relations internal communications and more.

This is not to be construed as an exhaustive duties logically associated with this position may be responsibilities will be conducted within the parameters of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) other applicable regulatory requirements and professional standards.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Senior Vice President for Legal and Public Affairs

SUPERVISION GIVEN: Not applicable.

SALARY: The salary range for this position is $110000-$125000 and is commensurate with education skills and relevant work experience.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelors degree in Communications Journalism Public Relations or related field required; Masters preferred.

• Minimum of 57 years of professional experience in communications preferably in a complex mission-driven organization.

• Must be able to know or learn and use various software programs including media tracking programs and news release distribution systems.

Key skills include:

• Exceptional writing editing and storytelling abilities across mediums

• Strong public speaking and media interviewing skills

• High emotional intelligence with the ability to advise senior leaders under pressure

• Proven experience with media relations issues management and reputation strategy

• Familiarity with AP style and best practices in editorial standards

• Strong project management organizational and vendor management skills

• Proficient in media monitoring tools and digital distribution platforms

• Must be a team-oriented mission-driven professional who embodies Ivy Techs core values

Ivy Tech Community College is an accredited equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color ethnicity national origin marital status religion sex gender sexual orientation gender identity disability age or veteran status. As required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 Ivy Tech Community College does not discriminate on the basis of sex including sexual harassment in its educational programs and activities including employment and admissions. Questions specific to Title IX may be referred to the Colleges Title IX Coordinator or to the US Department of Education Office of Civil Rights.