Associate Vice President, Advancement Marketing and Communications

Associate Vice President, Advancement Marketing and Communications

About the Opportunity

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

JOB SUMMARY

Northeastern University seeks a creative visionary and strategic, results-oriented marketing and communications leader to serve in a new position as Associate Vice President of Advancement Marketing and Communications (AVP). The AVP will bring an explode-the-boundaries approach to marketing and communications and direct a high-performing, integrated team operating in concert with colleagues across the Office of University Advancement.

The AVP will report into Rick Davis, Vice President, Advancement Global Engagement, and will direct the planning, development, and execution of the Advancement division's integrated marketing and communications efforts. The AVP will be tasked with deepening relationships with the university's diverse constituent base—donors and prospective donors, alumni, parents, corporate and foundation partners, and friends—through best-in-class, groundbreaking marketing, communications, and engagement strategies designed to connect various audiences to inspire meaningful relationships with the university. A comprehensive assessment of existing Advancement brand elements featured across digital platforms and external collateral will be necessary to fully chart the future positive impact to be expected from a dynamic marketing and communications operation. The AVP will rely on direction from, collaborate, and consult effectively with the university's central External Affairs division to accomplish this work most successfully.

Championing a culture in which teamwork, collaboration, boldness, and innovation are expected and rewarded, the AVP will lead by example regarding effective communication with Advancement colleagues as well as campus colleagues such as those within the Offices of the President and External Affairs, providing a high level of customer service, cross-organizational cooperation, and reliance on clear standards of professional and ethical conduct. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a highly cooperative spirit, a collaborative approach, exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, the empathy to relate to multiple constituencies, and the ability to move the needle in a matrixed organization. They will be a fierce advocate for the team, removing barriers, protecting boundaries, and helping to manage information flow, priorities, and deadlines. The AVP will operate with transparency and a high level of communication as they establish interdepartmental coordination, unified workflows, and adequate planning among colleagues and university partners with the goal of on-time service delivery and strict adherence to Northeastern University marketing and communications policies and design standards.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate must have significant experience in marketing and communications with a track record of providing strategic leadership to a diverse team of highly skilled marketing and communication professionals.

Additional qualifications include:

• A minimum of seven to ten years' experience, including supervisory responsibilities, with a proven upward trajectory of varied marketing and communications roles. Ideal to have exposure to a range of disciplines and functions inherent in marketing and communications.
• A Bachelor's degree is required.
• Track record of developing product that disrupts the status quo, creative ability that moves fluidly and takes advantage of what is happening in the moment to spark innovation.
• Ability to troubleshoot and make sound decisions in response to rapidly changing, often complicated situations, and comfortable managing multiple streams of work.
• Demonstrated effectiveness as a leader and strategic thinker who thrives when working as a member of a dynamic team.
• The professional credibility and maturity required to effectively collaborate with members of the senior leadership team and colleagues across the university.
• Skilled as an outstanding coach, mentor, and motivator of professionals, with a dedication to hiring, retaining, and developing outstanding talent.
• Demonstrable knowledge of marketing and communications platforms and the most current technologies available with the ability to be creative in utilizing it to lead a staff to technical solutions is ideal.
• An ability to interpret, adapt and further develop the "language" of Northeastern University (for the benefit of Advancement's full scope of work) in describing its collective work, aspirations, and impact.
• The ability to travel domestically and internationally on behalf of the University.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

Strategic Planning and Oversight (85%)

• Provide vision, leadership, planning, management, and evaluation of all aspects of marketing and communications strategies for University Advancement.
• Activate staff and colleagues to generate innovative ideas and solutions that engage donors, alumni, supporters, and friends.
• Create a cohesive marketing and communications strategy that includes support for the public phase of the university's comprehensive campaign, which will require a close working partnership with colleagues in a matrix environment.
• Champion internal strategies that create transparency and that offer clear messaging and concise positioning of Advancement that make adoption easy for internal constituents.
• Develop and execute a digital strategy with a focus on social media (content management, email marketing, social media marketing, and other forms of digital marketing and communications).
• Inspire the creation and deployment of tailored, data-informed digital engagement experiences with content that is accessible and interactive.
• Advise senior leadership on the marketing and communications tools and innovations required to achieve strategic goals.
• Utilize findings, study national trends, and adapt best practices to assist in the development of programs and messaging to cultivate life-long relationships between Northeastern and the multifaceted Advancement constituents.

Staff Management (15%)

• Coach, mentor, and guide the team to increase the capabilities and effectiveness of this group, including setting clear performance management objectives, and aggressively evaluating the structure, resources, and capabilities to provide a proactive, flexible, client-focused resource for the Office of University Advancement.
• Provide a work environment that values diversity and inclusion and establishes belonging among all community constituents including staff and volunteers regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, age, veteran status, or disability.

Position Type

Marketing and Communications

Additional Information

Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer.

Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information.

Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion.

All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To learn more about Northeastern University's commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity.


To apply, visit https://northeastern.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/careers/job/Boston-MA-Main-Campus/Associate-Vice-President--Advancement-Marketing-and-Communications_R113762



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