Vice President of Communications

Alliance for Higher Education; United States; Sur place; USD 120 000 - 180 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

Alliance for Higher Education seeks a Vice President of Communications to advance its mission and the work of partner organizations. The role will shape media relations strategy, build relationships with national, regional, and local media, and position the coalition as a trusted source on higher education and democratic values.

In collaboration with leadership, the VP will support advocacy planning, update crisis communications, prepare spokespeople, and serve as a strategic advisor during

Qualifications

• Senior-level communications experience in higher education, journalism, or nonprofit sectors.
• Proven ability to manage staff or contractors and deliver integrated strategies.
• Strong writing/editing skills and crisis management capabilities.

Responsabilités

• Shape and implement media relations strategy and national/local media relations.
• Oversee crisis communications plan and lead scenario planning with leadership and partners.
• Prepare spokespeople for high-stakes moments and act as strategic advisor under pressure.
• Lead website development, content, and audience growth across social channels with editorial planning.
• Coordinate with SMEs, collaborate with partner organizations, and manage 1–2 staff plus consultants.

Connaissances

Media relations

Crisis communications

Strategic planning

Team leadership

Content development

Social media strategy

Stakeholder collaboration

Formation

Higher education communications

Journalism background

Nonprofit/advocacy communications

Outils

Google Workspace

Microsoft Office

Description du poste

The client is seeking an experienced Vice President of Communications to help advance its mission and the work of its partner organizations. The role will shape and implement media relations strategy, establish and maintain relationships with national, regional, and local media, and position the coalition as a trusted go-to resource for timely information on issues impacting higher education and related democratic values.

In collaboration with organizational leadership, the Vice President will support advocacy planning within the sector and in political domains. The role will regularly update a comprehensive crisis communications plan, conduct scenario planning with leadership and external communications partners, prepare spokespeople for high-stakes moments with calm and direct counsel, and serve as a strategic advisor during rapid, high-pressure situations.

The Vice President will develop and maintain the organization’s website, create content and an audience acquisition strategy for social media, and execute early initiatives including content development and editorial planning. The role will also liaise with subject matter experts to coordinate and advise on content creation, collaborate with communications colleagues across partner organizations, and hire and manage 1–2 communications team members while overseeing consultant relationships as needed. Candidates should align with The client’s mission, bring senior-level communications experience managing staff or contractors and delivering successful strategies, demonstrate strong strategic judgment under pressure, have proven writing and editing strengths, possess relevant background in higher education and journalism or nonprofit/advocacy communications, and be proficient with common digital productivity tools such as Google Workspace and Microsoft Office.