Assistant Vice President, Marketing and Communications

BACKGROUND

Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) is the global center of innovation for Jewish life and learning – preparing rabbis, cantors, leaders in Jewish education, Jewish nonprofit professionals, pastoral counselors, and scholars to apply their knowledge, commitment, vision, and expertise to strengthen and transform the Jewish community and the larger world. It is the premier Jewish seminary in North America and the academic, spiritual, and professional leadership development center of Reform Judaism.

HUC-JIR students and alumni are leading a Jewish renaissance in North America, Israel, and around the globe as leaders in synagogues, schools, Hillels, hospitals, camps, the military, and Jewish organizations worldwide.

The faculty are internationally recognized for their teaching, research, and mentorship. The Klau Library, American Jewish Archives, museums, and scholarly publications reflect HUC-JIR’s commitment to the preservation and deployment of resources for the study of Jewish civilization. Cutting-edge scholarship applicable to contemporary society emanates from its research institutes, centers, and projects. 

POSITION

Reporting to the Chief of Staff / Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and an important member of the President’s cabinet, the AVP is the most senior marketing and communications professional in the organization. They will be responsible for driving the redevelopment and implementation of the brand across HUC-JIR and will be charged with building and executing an effective internal and external communications strategy for all HUC-JIR entities and audiences. The AVP must be a talented strategist with the ability to articulate institutional brand priorities while developing compelling messages designed for specific audiences and outcomes. In addition, they will be a skilled manager of people and systems with the ability to set priorities across a range of programs and interests at four campuses in New York, Cincinnati, Los Angeles, and Jerusalem. The ideal candidate will be experienced in change management and have demonstrated success working effectively with Recruitment and Admissions, Institutional Advancement, and executive leadership. Finally, the AVP should understand and anticipate major trends in higher education and their potential impact, as well as be an articulate spokesperson for the values of progressive Judaism.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serve as the key marketing and communications advisor and strategist for the president, executive leadership, board members, and institutional leaders.
• Work with external vendors to redevelop and elevate a signature brand identity and create and implement a comprehensive brand strategy that includes sub-brand identities for Institutional Advancement, Recruitment and Admissions, and other significant audience-based portfolios.
• Develop an integrated marketing plan that communicates a clear and consistent identity and institutional priorities across all media (digital, broadcast, and print) with the goal of advancing the institutional brand, enhancing the impact of the organization, while supporting the needs of specific schools, programs, and audiences.
• Develop and use research and metrics to inform strategies and evaluate the results.
• Lead the direction, design, and production of HUC-JIR’s digital and print publications, website, social media initiatives, and media relations to reflect the key attributes of HUC-JIR’s visual and messaging identity.
• Partner with the Associate Director of Recruitment and Admissions Marketing to create and implement innovative communication and marketing strategies and materials to recruit the brightest and most talented future leaders and reach ambitious enrollment goals.
• Partner with the Senior Director of Advancement Communications and Stewardship to develop compelling, strategic fundraising communications that reinforce the HUC-JIR brand and value in the Jewish higher education landscape.
• Support the deans of the New York, Los Angeles, Cincinnati, and Jerusalem campuses and the directors of HUC-JIR’s six schools to strengthen communications strategies within those communities.
• Lead and inspire the communications staff, setting clear direction, aligning work with institutional priorities, and supporting their professional development.
• Manage the central marketing and communications program annual budget.
• Be an active and engaged member of the HUC-JIR community with a strong grasp of current developments within the wider landscapes of higher education and Reform Judaism.

QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will be a highly skilled communications professional who strives for excellence in all they do. Creativity, strategic thinking, the ability to execute and a high degree of emotional intelligence are essential to success. Specifically, the AVP should have:

• 10 or more years of demonstrated success creating and leading a strategic integrated marketing and communications program in a complex organization with multiple programs serving a wide range of people.
• Extensive experience in project management and creative direction for large-scale print and digital communications products, including complex institutional websites and high-level brand executions.
• Demonstrated experience managing digital media programs, including large-scale websites, social media, video, and email programs. Working understanding of digital communications platforms, software, and tools.
• Experience managing and developing high-performing teams; demonstrated success instilling a strategic mindset among staff members.
• Experience contracting, managing, and working with multiple creative vendors and contractors, including freelance artists, consultants, and media agencies. Experience in higher education, with experience in Jewish higher education and/or international organizations preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work across complex organizations with multiple, interrelated constituent parts, including multiple schools, programs, museums, and libraries.
• A solutions-oriented mindset with the ability to lead change with flexibility, diplomacy, and good humor, modeling personal integrity and ethics.
• A customer service orientation, superior emotional intelligence, expert listening skills.
• Bachelor of Arts degree is required; advanced degree is preferred.

COMPENSATION

• Anticipated salary range $160K to $180K, commensurate with experience
• Comprehensive benefits package

To apply, Please send cover letter and resume as one PDF to HUCAVP@pbrsearch.com with title format “Last Name First Name – Letter Resume.”

If you meet many but not all the criteria and feel you may be a good fit for the role, HUC-JIR encourages you to apply.

HUC-JIR is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. In addition, HUC-JIR will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.