Associate Vice President, Strategic Communications and Media

Texas Southern University; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 130,000 - 169,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas Southern University seeks an Associate Vice President for Strategic Communications and Media to lead institutional messaging, media relations and executive communications, reporting to the Vice President for Marketing and Communications. This senior leader translates university priorities into clear, coordinated communications that strengthen reputational visibility.

The role oversees crisis communications, editorial direction and major institutional initiatives, guiding a broad range of

Qualifications

• Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills.
• Strong knowledge of strategic communications, media relations and public relations.
• Executive communications and speechwriting capabilities.
• Sound judgment in crisis and issues communications.
• Ability to translate complex academic, research and institutional information into clear communications.
• Strong editorial judgment and attention to detail.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to counsel senior leaders with confidence and discretion.
• Ability to work collaboratively across a complex organization.
• Understanding higher education communications and the HBCU environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and contemporary communications, media monitoring, project management and content management technologies.
• Familiarity with emerging communications technologies and AI-enabled tools

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic communications leadership for institutional messaging, media relations and executive communications.
• Develop and edit executive communications, speeches and remarks.
• Lead crisis and issues communications planning and response protocols.
• Oversee editorial direction for university communications and publications.
• Coordinate cross-functional communications for major initiatives and events.
• Supervise and develop communications staff, ensuring effective teamwork and performance.
• Counsel senior leaders on messaging, reputation and visibility.
• Maintain annual communications plans and editorial calendars aligned with priorities.

Skills

Executive communications

Speechwriting

Crisis communications

Media relations

Strategic communications

Editorial judgment

Project management

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Higher education communications

AI-enabled tools

Microsoft Office

Content management technologies

Education

Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, English, public affairs or related field

Master’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, higher education, public administration or related field

Job description

Associate Vice President, Strategic Communications and Media

The Associate Vice President, Strategic Communications and Media serve as a senior communications leader and strategic deputy to the Vice President for Marketing and Communications. The position provides leadership for strategic communications, media relations, executive communications, crisis and issues communications, editorial direction and major institutional communications initiatives.

Working closely with the Vice President, President and senior University leadership, the Associate Vice President translates institutional priorities into clear, compelling and coordinated communications that strengthen the reputation and visibility of Texas Southern University.

The position also serves as a communications generalist and senior project leader, supporting a broad range of Marketing and Communications priorities and stepping into emerging needs as required. The Associate Vice President serves as acting leader of Marketing and Communications when designated by the Vice President or when the Vice President is unavailable.

Strategic Communications and Executive Communications

• Serves as the Vice President’s senior communications deputy and provides strategic counsel on institutional messaging, reputation and visibility.
• Develops and executes communications strategies supporting University priorities, major initiatives, institutional milestones and high-profile announcements.
• Advises the President, Vice President and senior leaders on communications strategy, message development, media considerations and reputational issues.
• Develops and edits executive communications, including speeches, remarks, talking points, statements, letters, presentations and messages to campus and external audiences.
• Leads communications planning for major institutional initiatives, partnerships, research accomplishments, facilities projects, events and other strategic priorities, ensuring alignment with University priorities, audiences, key messages, channels, responsibilities and timelines.
• Develops and maintains annual communications plans and editorial calendars aligned with University priorities, academic milestones and institutional initiatives.
• Establishes communications workflows that support timely coordination, approvals and execution across Marketing and Communications and University partners.

Media Relations and Crisis Communications

• Leads the University’s media relations strategy in partnership with the Vice President and serves as a primary media relations leader and spokesperson as designated.
• Builds relationships with local, regional, national, higher education, HBCU and industry media.
• Responds to media inquiries and develops news releases, statements, media advisories, pitches, briefing materials and other external communications.
• Identifies proactive opportunities to elevate the University’s academic, research, student, faculty, alumni and community accomplishments.
• Leads communications planning and response for crisis, issues and sensitive situations; develops and maintains University-wide crisis communications protocols, escalation procedures and response playbooks; and coordinates appropriate internal and external communications with University leadership and relevant partners.
• Uses media coverage, audience feedback, communications performance data and emerging trends to evaluate communications effectiveness, identify opportunities and inform recommendations to senior leadership.
• Monitors the media environment and emerging issues and recommends timely communications responses.
• Develops and maintains University-wide crisis communications plans, protocols and response playbooks and coordinates appropriate escalation and communications response procedures with University leadership and relevant operational partners.
• Uses media coverage, audience feedback, communications performance data and emerging trends to evaluate effectiveness, identify opportunities and inform recommendations to senior leadership.

Editorial Leadership and Content

• Provides editorial direction for University news, executive communications, major announcements, publications, web content and other institutional communications.
• Establishes standards for accuracy, clarity, tone, grammar, institutional voice and brand alignment.
• Assigns, writes, edits and approves communications content as appropriate and provides editorial guidance to staff and University communicators.
• Works closely with the Director of social media and Engagement to ensure coordinated messaging and storytelling across traditional, digital and social channels.
• Overseas editorial planning and priorities for major institutional communications.

Strategic Projects and Generalist Support

• Serves as a project or communications lead for major University initiatives and cross-functional projects as assigned by the Vice President.
• Provides project management and communications support across Marketing and Communications, including strategic planning, campaigns, events, publications, web initiatives and institutional priorities.
• Coordinates with Creative Services, Social Media and Engagement, Advancement, Enrollment Management, Athletics, academic units and other partners to ensure timely and coordinated execution.
• Supports institutional marketing and communications needs outside the primary portfolio when appropriate, serving as a versatile resource to the Vice President and the broader team.
• Establishes proactive information-sharing practices that enable University units to surface emerging issues, announcements and storytelling opportunities early enough for effective communications planning and response.

Signage and Institutional Visibility

• Coordinates communications needs for University signage, banners, wayfinding and other high-visibility materials.
• Works with Creative Services, Facilities, University Events and other stakeholders to ensure signage and environmental communications support University priorities and brand standards.
• Provides project coordination for major signage and campus visibility initiatives.
• Directly supervises assigned communications staff, including the Multimedia Journalist and other communications professionals as designated.
• Provides direction, coaching and professional development to direct reports and establishes clear priorities and performance expectations.
• Promotes a collaborative, high-performing communications culture emphasizing strong writing, editorial judgment, responsiveness and strategic thinking.
• Works closely with the Director of social media and Engagement and other Marketing and Communications leaders to coordinate priorities and maximize team capabilities.
• Builds effective working relationships with University leaders, faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors, community partners and other stakeholders.
• Provides communications counsel to colleges, schools, departments and administrative units as appropriate.
• Represents Marketing and Communications on University committees, task forces and strategic initiatives as assigned.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

SCOPE OF THE RESPONSIBILITES :

Serves as a senior leader within Marketing and Communications with significant responsibility for institutional communications, media relations, executive communications, editorial strategy and strategic projects.

Exercises independent judgment in managing complex, sensitive and time-critical communications matters and provides strategic counsel to University leadership. Works across academic, administrative, student, research, advancement, athletics and external affairs functions to coordinate communications that advance University priorities.

% FTE

1.0

Hiring Range

Hiring Range $130,278.45 - $169,361.98

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, English, public affairs or a related field.
• Master’s degree in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, higher education, public administration or a related field.

Required Licensing/Certification

N/A

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Exceptional writing, editing and storytelling skills.
• Strong knowledge of strategic communications, media relations and public relations.
• Strong executive communications and speechwriting capabilities.
• Sound judgment in crisis and issues communications.
• Ability to translate complex academic, research, administrative and institutional information into clear and compelling communications.
• Strong editorial judgment and attention to detail.
• Strong project management, organizational and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to counsel senior leaders with confidence, discretion and sound judgment.
• Ability to work collaboratively across a complex organization.
• Understanding higher education communications and the HBCU environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and contemporary communications, media monitoring, project management and content management technologies.
• Familiarity with emerging communications technologies and AI-enabled communications tools.

Work Experience

• Ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in communications, journalism, public relations, marketing, public affairs or a related field.
• Significant experience in strategic communications, media relations, executive communications or institutional communications.
• Demonstrated experience writing and editing communications for senior executives or institutional leaders.
• Demonstrated experience managing sensitive, high-profile or crisis communications matters.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects and work effectively with multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to maintain the security or integrity of critical infrastructure, which may include communications systems, computer networks and systems, cybersecurity systems, electrical grid, hazardous waste treatment or water treatment system.

Preferred:

• Experience in higher education, preferably at a public research university or HBCU .
• Experience working directly with a president, chancellor, CEO or other senior executive.
• Experience serving as a university or organizational spokesperson.
• Experience supervising or mentoring communications professionals.
• Experience with media monitoring, project management and communications technologies.

Working/Environmental Conditions

• Work is primarily performed in an office and university environment and requires frequent interaction with University leaders, employees, students, media representatives and external stakeholders.
• The position may require attendance at events, meetings and activities outside normal business hours, including evenings and weekends, as necessary to support University priorities and major events.
• Routine travel may be required.

UA EEO Statement

It is the policy of Texas Southern University to provide a work environment that is free from discrimination for all persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, individuals with disability, sexual orientation, or protected veteran status in its programs, activities, admissions or employment policies. This policy of equal opportunity is strictly observed in all University employment-related activities such as advertising, recruiting, interviewing, testing, employment training, compensation, promotion, termination, and employment benefits. This policy expressly prohibits harassment and discrimination in employment based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, genetic history, national origin, individuals with disability, age, citizenship status, or protected veteran status. This policy shall be adhered in accordance with the provisions of all applicable federal, state and local laws, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. Manual of Administrative Policies and Procedures

Special Instructions to Applicants

Special Instructions to Applicants Open to all applicants.