Department: SSEM Strategic Communications
Appointment Type and Duration: Regular, Ongoing
Salary: Salary is commensurate with experience
Compensation Band: OS-OA12-Fiscal Year 2023-2024
FTE: 1.0

Application Review Begins

To ensure consideration, candidate materials should be received by Tuesday, January 30th, 2024.

Special Instructions to Applicants

WittKieffer is assisting University of Oregon with this search. Application materials, nominations, and inquiries should be submitted to consultants, Melissa Fincher and Jenna Brumleve, at: OregonAVPStrategicMarComm@wittkieffer.com 

More information is available at https://wittkieffer.com/positions/25224-associate-vice-president-for-strategic-marketing-and-communications

Department Summary

The Division of Student Services and Enrollment Management (SSEM) advances the University of Oregon's tradition of excellence by enrolling and retaining high-achieving scholars from across Oregon, across the country, and around the world. SSEM units include the Enrollment Management departments of Admissions, Budget and Financial Administration, Research and Assessment, Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, Registrar, Strategic Communications and Marketing, and Student Orientation, as well as Continuing and Professional Education, and the Student Services departments of the University Health Services, University Housing, and University Testing.

The Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing, a division of Student Services and Enrollment Management (SSEM), has responsibility for all communications with prospective students, current students, parents and families of current and prospective students, and other target audiences for the purposes of student recruitment and ongoing enrollment.

Position Summary

The University of Oregon’s (UO) storied history began in 1876 with 155 students. Today, the UO enrolls almost 25,000 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries and territories. As a member of the distinguished Association of American Universities (AAU), the state of Oregon’s flagship university, and a Carnegie Tier 1 institution, the UO is committed to combining impactful research and scholarship with strong undergraduate and graduate teaching. Across all student groups, 33 percent are students of color, four percent are international students, and 56 percent identify as female. The University recently welcomed a new university President, Dr. John Karl Scholz, and joined the Big 10 Athletics Conference. This is an excellent time to join University of Oregon during this exciting new era.

Reporting to the Vice President, Student Services & Enrollment Management (SSEM), Associate Vice President for Strategic Marketing and Communications (AVP) will join serve as a member of the leadership team and among more than 1,900 dedicated staff. SSEM units include the Enrollment Management departments of Admissions, Budget and Financial Administration, Research and Assessment, Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, Registrar, Strategic Communications and Marketing, and Student Orientation, as well as Continuing and Professional Education, and the Student Services departments of the University Health Services, University Housing, and University Testing. SSEM celebrates the success of several years of record-level undergraduate enrollments for largest, most diverse, and most academically prepared incoming classes. The division also supports an operating and scholarship budget in excess of $250 million. Student Services and Enrollment Management recently celebrated a number of capital projects and is set to finish a multi-year "UO Transformational Housing Plan" in 2024.

The AVP leads the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing, a division of Student Services and Enrollment Management (SSEM). This team of roughly 20 creative professionals (officers of administration and classified personnel) and student employees are responsible for innovative communication and marketing plans with prospective and current students, parents, and families and other key stakeholders for the purposes of a student's successful and enduring experience at UO. The AVP may serve on the university's central communications leadership team and partner on institution-wide initiatives and working groups. The AVP will provide strategic fiscal and talent management as well as short-and long-range planning to optimize the Office of SSEM Strategic Marketing and Communications output on a variety of priorities initiatives, both cyclical and custom. On-going priority will be placed on marketing, communications, and outreach to meet enrollment and development goals, university health services, areas impacting the student experience, such as housing and dining, and conceiving, developing, designing, producing, and writing content for print and digital collateral materials as requested and directed by SSEM leadership.

The ideal candidate will employ an entrepreneurial approach to enrollment marketing and communications; demonstrate a willingness to think outside the box; and quickly implement innovative and imaginative strategies and solutions. The AVP will have experience managing the complex interplay of enrollment and student affairs goals and revenue targets and be able to provide insight into student interest and marketplace demands and the evolving enrollment landscape, and programs that can be leveraged to expand opportunities and grow new markets. The AVP will have a clear understanding of the importance of a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment, and be able to demonstrate a track record in recruiting and retaining a diverse staff. A collaborative, transparent, and forward-thinking approach; exemplary personal and professional integrity; and a commitment to University of Oregon's mission are essential for success. A bachelor's degree and ten years of experience in marketing, public relations, or communications is required.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree
• Ten years of experience in marketing, public relations, or communications
• Experience supervising and developing professional staff

Professional Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of marketing, communications, and public relations
• Excellent leadership, problem solving skills, and the ability to analyze and develop marketing, public relations and communication recommendations that support organizational priorities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated expertise in strategic communications, including print, e-mail, social media, digital mediums and website strategies.
• Outstanding project management skills.
• Strong communication and creative skills, independent judgment, and the ability to interact with a wide range of people in a collaborative manner.
• A commitment to service, and specifically serving both internal and external constituents.
• Patience, tact, resourcefulness, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are all necessary traits for this position.
• Ability to travel on and off campus for communications related activities.
• A commitment to supporting a welcoming, inclusive, and diverse institution and work place.
• Experience with social justice, diversity, and inclusion education and initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, or closely related field.
• Master’s degree in communications, public relations, marketing, or closely related field.
• A communications professional, with university or corporate experience in marketing or public relations. Preference will be given to applicants with university experience.
• Eleven or more years of comprehensive communication experience, including project management, budget planning and implementation, as well as a background in print and digital publication and experience in multiple media or communication channels.
• Demonstrated skill managing and directing creative teams in large, complex organizations, institutions, and/or brands.

FLSA Exempt: Yes

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a background inquiry.

The University of Oregon is proud to offer a robust benefits package to eligible employees, including health insurance, retirement plans and paid time off. For more information about benefits, visit http://hr.uoregon.edu/careers/about-benefits.

The University of Oregon is an equal opportunity, affirmative action institution committed to cultural diversity and compliance with the ADA. The University encourages all qualified individuals to apply, and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status, including veteran and disability status. The University is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation in connection with the application process, please contact us at uocareers@uoregon.edu or 541-346-5112.

UO prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by UO policy. Questions may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, Office of Civil Rights Compliance, or to the Office for Civil Rights. Contact information, related policies, and complaint procedures are listed on the statement of non-discrimination.

In compliance with federal law, the University of Oregon prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and services. The Annual Campus Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://clery.uoregon.edu/annual-campus-security-and-fire-safety-report.