Vice President, Marketing & Communications

Vice President, Marketing and Communications

The University of Lynchburg, a private, regional university in the beautiful foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Central Virginia, is seeking applicants for a full-time Vice President, Marketing and Communications in the President’s Office of the University of Lynchburg.

Reporting to the President of the University, the Vice President, Marketing and Communications is a strategic, experienced leader responsible for building and leading a high performing function that advances the University’s enrollment, brand, marketing, advertising and communications goals. The Vice President sets University wide objectives, translates data and insights into actionable strategies, develops talent and stewards’ resources to deliver measurable results. In the role, you will partner across Enrollment, Alumni Relations, Athletics Advancement, Professional Development, Academic and external partners to develop integrated campaigns that support institutional priorities, strengthen brand recognition and reach, and achieve enrollment and campaign goals. This is a fully on-site leadership position based at the University of Lynchburg. Regular, in person presence on campus is required; this position is not eligible for remote work.

Specific Job Duties

As the Vice President of Marketing and Communication, you will shape how the University of Lynchburg tells its story, connects with its audiences and advances its institutional priorities. Key priorities include, but are not limited to:

Lead University-Wide Marketing Strategy

• Develop and execute an integrated marketing and communications strategy aligned with the University’s strategic plan, enrollment goals, fundraising priorities and institutional brand. Establish clear priorities, KPI’s budgets and measures of success.

Build and Lead a High-Performing Organization

• Provide visionary leadership, mentorship and accountability for marketing communications professionals and senior leaders. Foster a culture of collaboration, creativity, professional growth and results, while building organizational capacity for long-term success.

Strengthen the University Brand

• Serve as the steward of the University of Lynchburg brand, ensuring a consistent and compelling voice, visual identity and message across audiences and channels. Lead creative direction, campaigns, agency partnerships and brand standards across the institution.
• Serve as a member of the President’s senior leadership team, advising on reputation, crisis communications, brand positioning, and stakeholder engagement.

Advance Digital & Data-Driven Marketing

• Lead an integrated digital strategy encompassing the University website, SEO/AEO, social media, email, paid media, marketing automation, CRM, analytics and emerging technologies. Establish meaningful dashboards and reporting to evaluate performance, optimize investments and continuously improve the audience experience.

Drive Enrollment, Engagement & Advancement

• Partner closely with Enrollment Management, Advancement, Alumni Relations and other campus leaders to develop targeted campaigns that support student recruitment, retention, alumni engagement, fundraising and institutional advocacy. Use audient insights and market trends to inform strategy and strengthen impact.

Lead Strategic Communications & Reputation Management

• Oversee proactive media relations, executive and internal communications and crisis and issue communications. Serve as a trusted advisor to the President and senior leadership team on institutional reputation, messaging, brand positioning and stakeholder engagement.

Manage Resources & Strategic Relationships

• Oversee the marketing and communications budget, technology investments, vendor, agencies and strategic partnerships. Ensure resources are aligned with institutional priorities and that marketing and communications practices meet applicable accessibility, privacy, legal and University standards.