Vice President for Communications and Marketing

University of West Georgia; Carrollton (GA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition Assistance Program

Fringe benefits including Captrust

Discounts through Perks at Work

University recreation facility access

Job summary

University of West Georgia in Carrollton seeks a strategic and collaborative Vice President for Communications and Marketing to lead UWG’s integrated communications, marketing, and branding efforts. You will shape the university’s narrative, manage media relations, digital strategy, and strategic initiatives to support enrollment, philanthropy, and institutional growth.

The role requires a master’s degree and a minimum of ten years in communications-related fields, including at least seven years

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in relevant fields (communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, higher education administration, business, or related).
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, marketing, public relations, brand management, or related field.
• Minimum of seven (7) years in higher education with understanding of academic mission, culture, governance, and environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead institutional reputation and strategic communications strategy aligned with President’s vision and UWG priorities.
• Direct marketing, brand, and growth initiatives to support enrollment, philanthropy, alumni engagement, athletics, and overall institutional goals.
• Guide digital strategy, content, and demand to advance UWG’s reputation; oversee crisis communications and rapid-response management.
• Manage division resources, personnel, agencies, and budgeting; ensure accountability and continuous improvement.

Job description

Since 1906, the University of West Georgia (UWG) has been home to those who seek a transformative college experience. UWG is a leading residential, doctoral comprehensive university that offers a broad undergraduate and graduate curriculum based on a liberal arts foundation. Nestled among the pines on a picturesque 645 acres is the University of West Georgia- a hidden gem approximately 40 miles west of Atlanta. Serving approximately 16,000+ students, and offering more than 100 programs, UWG is committed to advancing innovative academic programs and a student-centered business model. Perennially ranked by U.S. News & World Report, the Princeton Review, and Colleges of Distinction as a top national university, West Georgia offers 86 fields of study, including business, computing, nursing, education, STEM, communication and digital media, social sciences, and the fine and performing arts. UWG generates a regional economic impact of more than $650 million annually and provides a safe, quality, and affordable university experience that connects students to post-graduate career and leadership opportunities. UWG has been recognized by the Carnegie Foundation for its institutional commitment to community engagement through teaching, research and creative activities, and public service. West Georgia is one of only 119 U.S. colleges and universities to receive the elective classification in 2020 and is among only 359 institutions nationally. Dedicated to creating a first-choice university for students, alumni, employees, and communities, UWG seeks employees who will advance and support the University's mission of fulfilling the talent needs of western Georgia and the Atlanta metropolitan area, while contributing to the social, cultural, and economic development of the region and state.

The University of West Georgia offers a comprehensive total rewards package designed to support faculty and staff across multiple dimensions; health, wellness, financial security, and professional growth. Employees working at least 30 hours per week gain access to a range of health plans, including medical, dental, and vision, wellness programs, and robust retirement options through Georgia Teachers Retirement System (TRS), Optional Retirement Program, and voluntary 403(b) and 457(b) plans. Employees are granted 13 paid holidays and paid time off accruals and are eligible to participate in the University System of Georgia's Tuition Assistance Program. Fringe benefits include a variety of resources focused on employee physical, mental, financial, and social well-being through Acentra Employee Assistance Program in addition to personal financial advising with Captrust. UWG also offers exclusive discounts and special offers on entertainment, travel, and other products and services through the Perks at Work program, free access to the university recreation facility, discounted campus dining options, and more!

Living in Carrollton, "The City of Dreams," offers the advantages of city life with a small-town vibe. This progressive community with Southern flair offers plenty of shopping, restaurants, nightlife opportunities, and cultural events. Named a City of Excellence in Georgia and listed as one of the 50 Best Small Southern Towns, Carrollton is the cultural, educational, health care, and commercial center for the west Georgia region.

At the heart of Carrollton is its historic downtown and Adamson Square lined with shops, galleries, and restaurants. Each season offers unique local events and opportunities for year-round recreation. Outdoor activities abound through award-winning spaces, including an 18-mile paved walking and biking Greenbelt trail that encircles the city and passes through the UWG campus.

The city embraces the University's students, faculty, and staff, and welcomes the diversity UWG brings to the community.

Invested in education with highly rated city and county K-12 systems, both city and county public school graduation rates are 90% and above and rank among the top in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

Job Summary

The Vice President for Communications and Marketing reports directly to the President of the University of West Georgia and leads the University's integrated strategy for communications, marketing, brand, and reputation. The Vice President serves as a member of the President's Cabinet and is UWG's chief communications, marketing, brand, and reputation officer. The Vice President is responsible for strengthening UWG's reputation and visibility, differentiating the University in an increasingly competitive higher education marketplace, supporting enrollment and institutional growth, protecting the University's reputation, and ensuring UWG communicates with a clear, compelling, and consistent voice. The Vice President provides executive leadership and strategic oversight for the University's central communications and marketing enterprise, including institutional marketing and brand management, media relations, executive and internal communications, digital strategy, social media, web strategy and content, creative services, crisis and issues communications, and related functions.

Responsibilities

1a

Institutional Reputation and Strategic Communications: UWG's continued growth and advancement depend upon a strong institutional reputation and the ability to communicate its value, accomplishments, and impact to audiences in Georgia and beyond. The Vice President will develop and lead a comprehensive, integrated communications strategy aligned with the President's vision, UWG's strategic priorities, and the University's mission. Serve as the President's senior communications advisor and provide strategic counsel to University leadership on messaging, positioning, media strategy, reputation, and significant public issues. Develop and continually strengthen UWG's institutional narrative, translating the University's priorities and accomplishments into clear and compelling communications. Lead a proactive media and reputation strategy that expands UWG's visibility regionally, statewide, and nationally and elevates the University's academic excellence, student achievement, faculty expertise, research and innovation, economic and community impact, athletics, alumni success, and institutional momentum.

1b

Provide strategic leadership for presidential and executive communications, including major addresses, institutional announcements, presentations, opinion pieces, talking points, and other high-level communications. Lead an effective internal communications strategy that strengthens understanding of university priorities, decisions, accomplishments, and change initiatives. Anticipate emerging issues and reputational risks and lead the University's crisis and issues-communications strategy, ensuring UWG communicates with speed, accuracy, coordination, transparency, and sound judgment when significant issues arise.

2a

Marketing, Brand and Institutional Growth: In an increasingly competitive higher education marketplace, UWG must clearly differentiate itself and communicate a compelling value proposition to the audiences whose decisions and engagement are essential to the University's success. The Vice President will lead the development, stewardship, and continuous strengthening of UWG's institutional brand, including positioning, messaging, visual identity, standards, and implementation. Develop and continually refine a compelling institutional value proposition that answers a fundamental question: Why West Georgia? Lead integrated marketing strategies that advance enrollment, academic programs, philanthropy, alumni engagement, athletics, and other institutional priorities. Work closely with Enrollment Management to develop audience-specific marketing strategies supporting undergraduate, graduate, transfer, online, and professional enrollment goals. Partner with University Advancement to strengthen alumni and donor engagement and support philanthropic priorities through compelling institutional storytelling and communications.

2b

Use market research, audience segmentation, competitive intelligence, digital analytics, and other data to identify opportunities, guide strategy, allocate resources, and improve marketing effectiveness. Identify emerging markets, audiences, and opportunities that can strengthen UWG's competitive position and contribute to institutional growth. Establish meaningful measures of brand awareness, reputation, audience engagement, marketing effectiveness, enrollment impact, and return on investment.

3a

Communications Operations and Digital Strategy: The effectiveness of UWG's communications and marketing enterprise depends upon an organization capable of translating strategy into high-quality execution. The Vice President will build and lead a high-performing communications and marketing organization characterized by creativity, collaboration, responsiveness, accountability, and excellence. Establish clear priorities, responsibilities, standards, workflows, timelines, and measures of performance that create a culture of production and execution. Provide strategic leadership for UWG's digital communications ecosystem, including web, social media, video, email, digital storytelling, and emerging platforms. Develop and execute a strategy for responsibly incorporating artificial intelligence, automation, analytics, personalization, and emerging technologies into the University's communications and marketing enterprise.

3b

Establish and maintain University-wide brand, communications, and marketing standards and provide leadership that strengthens coordination across the institution. Ensure communications and marketing resources are aligned with the University's highest priorities and develop processes for prioritizing projects and allocating resources according to anticipated institutional impact. Manage the division's personnel, financial resources, agencies, vendors, technology, and other assets strategically and responsibly. Establish appropriate performance measures and continually evaluate the University's communications capabilities, structure, investments, and results to ensure accountability and continuous improvement.

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

Master's Degree

Required Experience

A master's degree from an accredited institution in communications, marketing, public relations, journalism, higher education administration, business, or a closely related field. A minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in communications, marketing, public relations, media relations, brand management, or a closely related function. A minimum of seven (7) years of experience within higher education, demonstrating an in-depth understanding of the academic mission, culture, governance, and operating environment of colleges and universities.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred Educational Qualifications

Master's Degree

Preferred Experience

Senior communications or marketing leadership experience at a comprehensive public university, research university, university system, or similarly complex higher education institution. Experience supporting enrollment growth, student recruitment, advancement, fundraising, alumni engagement, athletics, or other measurable institutional priorities. Experience leading significant institutional branding, repositioning, reputation-building, or integrated marketing initiatives. Experience managing crisis communications, significant media inquiries, reputational issues, and rapid-response situations in higher education. Demonstrated experience with digital marketing, audience segmentation, market research, analytics, and performance measurement. Demonstrated understanding of emerging communications technologies, artificial intelligence, digital media, and evolving audience behavior. Knowledge of the University of West Georgia, the University System of Georgia, and the higher education environment in Georgia.

Proposed Salary

$150,000 - $175,000 per year. Paid on a monthly basis.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

Ability to provide strategic counsel to executive leadership on sensitive and complex institutional matters. Ability to develop and implement comprehensive communications and marketing strategies aligned with organizational goals. Ability to lead and manage multiple functional areas through subordinate managers and professional staff. Ability to effectively manage crisis communications and respond to rapidly changing situations. Ability to cultivate collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and political acumen in high-profile situations. Ability to represent the University effectively before media, community partners, donors, government officials, alumni, and other constituent groups. Ability to maintain brand integrity and ensure consistent institutional messaging across diverse communication channels.

Physical Requirements - Lifting up to 15lbs. Office Environment - Work normally performed in a typical interior work environment.

KNOWLEDGE

Comprehensive knowledge of strategic communications, marketing, public relations, branding, and reputation management. Knowledge of higher education administration, governance, and organizational operations. Knowledge of crisis communications principles and issues management. Knowledge of media relations, digital communications, and emerging communication technologies. Knowledge of budgeting, resource management, and performance measurement methodologies.

Position is accountable for the strategic direction, administration, and execution of the University's communications, marketing, public relations, and brand management functions.

SKILLS

Strategic planning and organizational leadership skills. Executive-level written, verbal, and presentation communication skills. Relationship-building and stakeholder engagement skills. Media relations, public affairs, and public speaking skills. Project management, change management, and decision-making skills. Data analysis and assessment skills to evaluate marketing and communication effectiveness.