Chief Communications Officer

PR Girl Manifesto; Ann Arbor (MI); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Michigan’s Office of the Vice President for Communications seeks a senior leader to guide strategic communications and marketing initiatives, partnering with university leadership to advance priorities, amplify narratives, and strengthen the institution’s national and global reputation.

The role emphasizes safeguarding trust, driving cohesive branding across campuses, and delivering integrated communications plans.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic communications, issues management, and crisis response efforts, providing clear, credible, and timely counsel to campus leadership while effectively engaging internal and external stakeholders during periods of heightened visibility or reputational risk.
• Develop and execute strategies to lead effectively within a non-hierarchical, decentralized, and highly collaborative campus environment.
• Navigate complex stakeholder dynamics and build productive alliances with strong political acumen and a keen sense of when and how to engage different constituencies.
• Build trusted relationships across the campus community and foster a culture of openness and transparency, integrity, trust, mutual respect, and collaborative problem solving.
• Advance and champion the academic, research, and service missions of a leading, residential, public university through informed leadership and strategic partnership.
• Develop and implement innovative programs and initiatives informed by national best practices, leveraging research, data, and assessment to drive strategic decision-making and measure impact, with a high degree of energy, initiative, and organization.
• Mentor, coach, and develop talent, fostering leadership capability, professional growth, and strong, collaborative teams. Work alongside colleagues at all levels to craft a positive environment that promotes employee engagement, trust, and satisfaction, while recognizing their contributions.
• Lead with resilience, optimism, and intellectual curiosity, building credibility and trust while effectively navigating challenges, competing perspectives, and periods of heightened scrutiny.
• Provide sound judgement and principled leadership grounded in the highest standards of personal and professional integrity and promote an inclusive community where all feel a sense of belonging.

Job description

University of Michigan’s Office of the Vice President for Communications seeks a senior leader to guide strategic communications and marketing initiatives, partnering with university leadership to advance priorities, amplify narratives, and strengthen the institution’s national and global reputation.

The role emphasizes safeguarding trust, driving cohesive branding across campuses, and delivering integrated communications plans.