Communications and Engagement Manager

Position Summary:

The Communications and Engagement Manager leads the development execution and continuous refinement of a comprehensive communications and community-engagement strategy for Vanderbilt Planning Design and Construction (PDC). This role is essential to advancing the Division of Real Estate Facilities and Development (REFD) mission and vision.

Reporting to the REFDs Senior Communications StrategistAS1 with a close partnership to the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Planning Design and Construction the manager ensures that PDC communicates with clarity transparency and accessibility. This position translates complex PDC projects into community-centered narratives; builds sustained engagement with students faculty staff neighbors and external partners; and strengthens trust in the department through proactive human-centered storytelling.

The ideal candidate is a strategic communicator relationship-builder and creative problem-solver who can operate effectively in a fast-paced environment and collaborate across teams.

About the Work Unit:

The Office of the Vice Chancellor for Real Estate Facilities and Development at Vanderbilt University is committed to upholding the Universitys vision by excelling in management strategic initiatives and operational success. The unit embodies the core values and mission of the university working closely with key stakeholders to address complex issues that span across the University and its affiliates as well as coordinating with the Board of Trustees on complex and cross-institutional issues. Each member of the team is crucial in executing the strategic initiatives and advancing the university through strategic partnerships to strategically managing growth optimizing campus resources and ensuring that infrastructure supports Vanderbilts evolving academic and research needs and its vision to become the worlds best-run university. The team supports the Vice Chancellor Associate and Vice Chancellor(s) and Executive Director(s)s in managing the universitys real estate facilities development planning and operations liaising with affiliates and collaborating with the other Vice Chancellors the Chancellor and the Board of Trustees on multidimensional university-wide concerns.

The combined REFD annual budget exceeds $150 million in operating expenses and the division has approximately 600 employees. REFDmanages major capital project expenditures totaling$300 million annually and facility renewal replacement and large maintenance project expenditures totaling $20 million annually. The REFD Business Operations Center provides support to the entire department specifically regarding the areas of Finance Employee Engagement Systems Communications and General Administration.

Key Functions and Expected Performance:

Communications Strategy & Execution

• Develop and implement an integrated PDC communication strategy aligned with the REFD Vice Chancellor imperatives and the divisional goals.
• Produce clear accessible content across channels including MyVU stories campus messages briefings social media digital signage video and web pages.
• Assist with Monthly Project Report with PDC Leadership and maintain a consistent predictable communication cadence to the Vanderbilt community.
• Support crisis and incident communications in collaboration with the REFD Communications team and other partners.
• Ensure alignment with institutional tone accessibility standards brand consistency and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate closely with REFD Communications team to ensure alignment amongst all projects.

Community & Student Engagement

• Lead the design and execution of a comprehensive community engagement program that strengthens relationships with students faculty staff neighbors and partners.
• Coordinate engagement with student groups (VSG GSC Residential Colleges international student groups affinity organizations) and develop programming that meets community needs.
• Lead student-facing campaigns such as Anchor Updates newsletter project town halls and collaborative events (campus and project tours project-related events move-in move-out etc).
• Oversee on campus events such as tours project-related events and reoccurring university events (move-in move-out family weekend etc).
• Support campuswide emergency preparedness programming that are related to REFD.

Operational Excellence & Internal Partnerships

• Work in close partnership with PDC leadership and project managers to understand current and future projects and translate them into community-facing stories.
• Partner with Division of Administration Student Affairs Human Resources Emergency Preparedness and other units to coordinate safety-related messaging.

Digital Strategy Data & Feedback

• Manage the PDC website resources and digital communication channels to ensure accuracy clarity and user-centered design.
• Track and report metrics on email engagement social reach web traffic event effectiveness etc.
• Establish feedback options including surveys QR code channels and follow-up communications.
• Provide regular analytics reports and recommendations to REFD leadership.
• Oversee university Anchor Alerts program track effectiveness and make data-driven decisions to improve the system.

Supervisory Relationships:

This position may supervise student employees interns or part-time communications assistants.

Education and Certifications:

• Bachelors degree required.

Experience and Skills:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in communications public affairs marketing or community
• Experience in construction higher education or government strongly preferred.
• Experience partnering with or communicating to student audiences is strongly preferred.
• Exceptional writing editing proofreading and visual storytelling skills across formats.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex operational or policy concepts in clear accessible language.
• Proven experience designing and managing communications strategies that build trust in sensitive or high-stakes environments.
• Strong interpersonal skills; able to build relationships with officers students faculty staff and external stakeholders.
• High emotional intelligence; ability to convey empathy clarity and professionalism during difficult or high-pressure situations.
• Strong project management skills; highly organized; able to manage multiple simultaneous priorities.
• Comfort with analytics and data-informed storytelling.
• Familiarity with platforms such as Microsoft Teams WordPress Emma and basic design/video tools.
• Ability to work collaboratively across a complex organization with shared leadership models.