Vice President for Strategic Communications and Marketing

Position Overview

James Madison University seeks an inaugural Vice President of Strategic Communications and Marketing to develop and execute a bold, integrated strategy that elevates the university’s brand, reputation, and voice across all platforms and audiences. Reporting directly to President James Schmidt (joined July 1, 2025) and backed by executive leadership and the Board of Visitors, this visionary leader will centralize and guide the university’s communications and marketing functions, ensuring effective storytelling, strategic messaging, and a unified external presence in a decentralized environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of an integrated strategic communications and marketing plan that elevates the JMU brand nationally and globally.
• Oversee public relations, media engagement, and crisis communications, serving as the university's chief spokesperson when needed.
• Centralize and coordinate efforts between university communications and marketing teams to achieve unified, effective storytelling.
• Guide marketing and branding initiatives to reinforce JMU’s position as a national leader in higher education.
• Collaborate with university leadership and external partners to measure impact and drive strategic initiatives across diverse audiences.

Required Qualifications

• Proven leadership experience in strategic communications, marketing, or a related field—preferably within higher education.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing integrated communications and branding strategies.
• Strong public relations skills with expertise in media engagement and crisis management.
• Excellent interpersonal and consensus-building abilities with a strategic mindset.