Director, Chancellor Communications and Programs

PositionSummary:

The Director Chancellor Communications and Programs serves as a senior strategic communications partner to the Chancellor and a key member of Vanderbilt Universitys Communications and Marketing division. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer this role functions as the strategic and operational integrator of the Chancellors communications portfolioensuringalignmentwithinstitutionalprioritiesleadershipstrategyandVanderbilts brand standards.

This position provides structure visibility and continuity across a complex and high-volume executive communications environment. The Director works at the intersection of strategy executionandadvisorysupporttranslatingtheChancellorsvisionandinstitutionalgoalsinto clear compelling and high-impact communications. The role requires exceptional judgment discretion agility and the ability to operate confidently in a high-stakes fast-moving environment as well as exceptional organizational discipline and advanced project management capability to coordinate complex high-visibility initiatives involving senior leadership compressed timelines and evolving priorities. The Director also demonstrates a proactive orientation toward continuous improvement leveraging technology data and workflow optimization to enhance the effectiveness efficiency and impact of executive communications.

Aboutthe Work Unit:

The Communications and Marketing team at Vanderbilt University is a dynamic and deeply collaborative group. The division with all of its departments and sub-teams serves as the institution-wide center of excellence for communications and marketing developing and executing strategies that inform engage and inspire others to participate in Vanderbilt Universitys global academic and research mission. The division is a key strategic adviser and partner for other divisions in the university providing comprehensive plans and thoughtful analysisonmessagingopportunitiesandconstraints.TheCommunicationsandMarketingteam continuously seeks innovative solutions to new and emerging challenges in order to deliver results at scale to advance the larger mission values and priorities of the university.

KeyResponsibilities andExpectedPerformance:

StrategicPartnershipand Advisory

• ServeasatrustedstrategiccommunicationspartnertotheChancellor.

• Adviseonmessagingstrategypositioningsequencingandaudienceengagement across executive communications.

• Providethoughtfulanalysisandrecommendationstosupportdecision-makingand leadership visibility.

• Anticipatecommunicationsrisksandopportunitiesinadynamichighereducation environment.

ExecutiveCommunications PortfolioLeadership

• LeadandcoordinatetheChancellorscommunicationsportfoliointegratingstrategy planning writing review and execution.

• Translateinstitutionalstrategyandleadershipprioritiesintoactionablecommunications plans and deliverables.

• Manageaportfolioofhigh-visibilityexecutivecommunicationsinitiativesensuring alignment with brand quality and strategic intent.

• Balancerapid-responsedemandswithlong-rangeplanningandexecution.

OperationalIntegrationandQuality Oversight

• ProvidestructureandvisibilityacrosstheChancellorscommunicationsworkload tracking priorities dependencies and timelines.

• Drive sequencing prioritization and execution across concurrent executive communicationsinitiativesensuringclarityofownershipandaccountability.

• Clarifyandshaperequestsfromexecutivestakeholdersidentifyingobjectives audiences risks and strategic considerations.

• Connectcross-functionalinputsanddependenciesacrosscabinetoffices Communications and Marketing and external partners.

• Identifygapsrisksandbottlenecksearlyandproactivelyimplementsolutionstomaintain momentum and quality.

• Ensureexecutivecommunicationseffortsareappropriatelyresourcedandcoordinatedto meet institutional priorities.

• EnsureallexecutivecommunicationsreflectVanderbiltsmissionvaluesandinstitutional positioning.

• Establishandupholdthehigheststandardsofqualityconsistencyandbrandintegrity across all Chancellor communications.

• Leveragetechnologyplatformsandemergingtoolstostreamlineworkflowsenhance collaboration and improve visibility across executive communications initiatives.

• Continuouslyassessandrefineexecutivecommunicationsprocessesintroducing improvements that increase clarity efficiency responsiveness and impact.

ContentDevelopment andExecutive Support

• Overseeandcontributetothedevelopmentofexecutivecommunicationsmaterialsincluding talking points background briefs strategic memos proposals and written correspondenceensuring alignment clarity and quality across all outputs.

• Synthesizecomplexinformationintoclearcompellingexecutive-level messaging.

• Maintainexceptionalorganizationattentiontodetailandfollow-throughacross concurrent initiatives.

• Handlesensitiveandconfidentialinformationwithdiscretionandsoundjudgment.

• Workoutsideregularbusinesshoursasnecessarytomeetexecutive-level responsibilities and deadlines.

Supervisory Relationships:

• Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer for Communications and Marketing this position does not have formal supervisory responsibility. However the role operates with a high degreeofautonomyanddelegatedauthorityprovidingstrategicdirectionqualityoversightand coordination across executive communications initiatives.

EducationandCertifications

• Bachelorsdegreeorcommensurateexperienceisrequired.Mastersdegree(MBA)or commensurate experience is preferred.

Experienceand Skills:

• Minimumof8yearsofrelevantprofessionalexperienceinexecutivecommunications higher education administration strategy or related fields.

• Demonstratedexperiencesupportingseniorleadersinhigh-visibilitycomplex organizational environments.

• Exceptionalwritingsynthesisanalyticalandstrategicthinkingskills.

• Provenabilitytooperatewithdiscretionsoundjudgmentandindependenceinhigh-stakes settings.

• Experienceworkingwithinoralongsideseniorleadershipofficesstronglypreferred.

• PriorexperienceatVanderbiltUniversityoranotherprivateinstitutionofhighereducation preferred.

• Demonstratedexperiencedevelopingintegratedcommunicationsstrategiesand managing cross-functional initiatives.

• Demonstratedexperienceinfluencingandcoordinatingworkacrosscomplexintegrated teams including both direct and indirect collaboration models.

• Demonstratedabilitytoleadinfast-pacedcomplexandattimesambiguous environments while maintaining quality composure and team cohesion.

• Demonstratedabilitytoprovidethoughtfulcounselonmessagingstrategytiming audience impact and reputational considerations.

• Strongfacilitationandpartnershipskillswithexperienceparticipatingincross-unitforums or working groups.

• Abilitytosoundjudgmentandsystemsthinkingtomanagecompetingprioritiesand translate complex information into clear actionable messaging.