Vice President for Marketing and Communications

Calvin University, a world-class, comprehensive Christian university located in Grand Rapids, MI, seeks a senior-level executive leader to serve as its inaugural Vice President for Marketing and Communications.

Founded in 1876, Calvin University's mission is to equip students to think deeply, to act justly, and to live wholeheartedly as Christ's agents of renewal in the world. Calvin's beautiful 400-acre campus in West Michigan is ideally located to create a small, close-knit community feel while providing access to everything the city of Grand Rapids has to offer. Recently, Calvin has been ranked no. 4 in Regional Universities Midwest, no. 3 in Best Undergraduate Teaching and no. 15 in Most Innovative Schools by U.S. News & World Report.

Reporting directly to President Wiebe Boer, the VP for Marketing and Communications is a newly created role, serving as a member of the President's cabinet and working collaboratively with a range of colleagues from all segments of the University – senior leaders, faculty and staff, students, alumni and other external influencers ­– to ensure that Calvin's stories, vision, and distinctive characteristics are promoted effectively to all audiences.

The position calls for a strategic leader to oversee marketing, communication, and branding activities, ensuring alignment with the goals and vision of the University and advancing its global presence through public relations, advertising, and other stakeholder interactions. The new leader is also responsible for internal university communications, providing public relations counsel and communications support to the entire university, and for managing media relations efforts to effectively increase positive media coverage and protect the university's reputation in times of crises. The VP will lead and develop a team of approximately 14 dedicated professionals.

The ideal candidate will have 10+ years in progressive institutional marketing and communications leadership positions. Proven success in developing and building teams as well as in collaborating across institutional divisions to advance mission-alignment will be critical. A bachelor's degree is required; a master's degree is highly desired. Candidates with experience from outside of higher education, particularly from a corporate context, are also strongly encouraged to apply.

Please direct all applications, inquiries, and nominations to Jessica Cummings using the WittKieffer Candidate Portal (https://candidateportal.wittkieffer.com/description?jobID=24156) or via email, at: jcummings@wittkieffer.com. The Candidate Portal is a secure, easy way to nominate a colleague, express interest, or apply for a position.

Jessica Cummings
April Allen
Ben Haden

The Calvin University values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity for all persons regardless of age, color, disability, ethnicity, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by law.


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