Director, Communications & Marketing, Vet Med

Job Description

The Director of Communications and Marketing for the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine will lead the development, planning, execution, and evaluation of a comprehensive, strategic communications and marketing program for the college, and align those activities with university-wide communications, marketing, and branding initiatives. In a broad sense, the Director's primary responsibility will be to tell the story of veterinary medicine at Virginia Tech in a manner that captures the vibrancy and appeal of our programs. We are looking for someone who has a deep commitment to the value of veterinary medicine and is thoughtful, eloquent, and incisive as a spokesperson and advocate for the college, its missions, and programs.

To achieve fulfillment of university and college priorities, the Director will collaborate with the college’s leadership team, including the Dean; the college’s advancement team (including communications, alumni and referring practitioner engagement, and development); college and university faculty, staff, and students; University Relations and the Advancement division; the personnel at the college’s three hospitals (the Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Blacksburg, Virginia; the Animal Cancer Care and Research Center in Roanoke, Virginia; and the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Virginia). The Director will develop and implement long-range strategic plans that are consistent with the college’s unique needs, brand marketing, and messaging, as well as the dean’s communications needs, while also working within the university’s larger marketing and communications framework.

The Director will directly supervise the college’s communications team, which is comprised of full-time professionals and additional students with skills in writing and editing, website management, social media, graphic design, videography, and photography. An administrative/professional faculty member, the Director reports jointly to the Assistant Dean of Advancement in the college and the Senior Director in University Relations.

The Director will have primary responsibility for increasing the visibility of the college in a variety of ways, including message alignment, content creation for university and college platforms, marketing for the hospitals and student recruitment, external media relations, elevating the dean’s reputation, and more. The Director will have a strong record of progressive experience in today's communications fields, including the development and implementation of a strategic, comprehensive communications and marketing program; evidence of strong communications, interpersonal, presentation, and marketing skills; and proficiency in using word processing, image processing, content management system, and social media tools. The ideal candidate will also have experience leading a team of professional communicators; a strong understanding of effective graphic design and branding principles and the use of the Internet as a medium of communication; and the ability to manage multiple and competing priorities in a dynamic environment.

The position is based at the Virginia Tech campus in Blacksburg, Virginia. Flex/hybrid work options will be considered but the position does require a regular on-campus presence.

About the college: Established in 1978, the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine is a leading biomedical teaching and research center and the in-state veterinary college for residents of Virginia and Maryland. The college's locations include the main campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, which includes the Veterinary Teaching Hospital; the Animal Cancer Care and Research Center in Roanoke, Virginia; the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center in Leesburg, Virginia; and the Gudelsky Veterinary Center in College Park, Maryland. The college is focused on the development and delivery of a One Health education, integrating multidisciplinary research and educational opportunities that provide health care solutions for animals, people, and communities. Unique among U.S. veterinary colleges, the college is undergirded by a unique partnership between two states and two land-grant institutions, Virginia Tech and the University of Maryland.

Required Qualifications

Demonstrated ability to develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive, strategic communications and marketing program.

Ability to define goals and objectives, identify target audiences, and measure progress toward communications and marketing goals.

Demonstrated strong communications, leadership, and interpersonal skills.

Familiarity with a range of communications principles including messaging, graphic design, visual communications, branding, marketing, advertising, electronic communications, and social media.

Ability to be self-motivated and capable of working in a complex matrix management environment.

Advanced degree in communications, journalism, or related field or a Bachelor's degree and professional experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with veterinary medicine teaching and research techniques and ability to communicate highly technical content to a general audience.

Demonstrated experience supervising communications professionals.

Advanced degree in communications, journalism, or related field.

Experience in executing marketing initiatives and the analysis and application of market research, in a veterinary medicine, medical school, hospital, or higher education setting.

Experience working with business/industry, alumni engagement, or development initiatives.

Demonstrated budgetary supervision experience.

Experience in a higher education, independent school, scientific organization, or nonprofit environment.

Strong skills using technology in the workplace, familiarity with content management systems and email platforms; social media competencies.

Significant prior communications experience writing and producing publications, developing and placing stories with external media, and collaborating with medical professionals.

Pay Band

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Commensurate with Experience

Review Date

December 15, 2021

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Brandi Barnett at brandib@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: November 16, 2021
Applications close: