Search for the Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications
University of Puget Sound
Tacoma, Washington
THE SEARCH
University of Puget Sound (Puget Sound), one of the nation's leading liberal arts colleges located in the creative, urban city of Tacoma, Washington, seeks a strategic, collaborative, and innovative professional to serve as its Associate Vice President for Marketing and Communications (AVP). With a visionary President, engaged and committed board of trustees, a dynamic and dedicated senior leadership team, passionate students, and exceptional faculty and staff, Puget Sound has strong momentum to achieve its ambitious 10-year strategic plan, Leadership for a Changing World, which challenges the University to be bold and forward-looking in the delivery of education and in meeting the needs of current and future generations of students.
The University enrolls approximately 2,200 students on the 97-acre campus in Tacoma's residential North End. Some 240 distinguished faculty members offer courses in both traditional and distinctively interdisciplinary areas, in an undergraduate liberal arts curriculum and in several highly-regarded graduate programs. Puget Sound ranks #85 among National Liberal Arts Colleges according to U.S. News & World Report and is in the unique position of being the sole independent liberal arts college in Western Washington and one of only five in the Pacific Northwest.
The AVP is responsible for elevating the institutional brand and all marketing, communications, and messaging activities to ensure that internal and external audiences alike have an increased awareness and refined understanding of Puget Sound, its ambitions, and its role in higher education. The AVP will work closely with Victor Martin, Vice President for University Relations (VPUR), and senior leaders across the institution to build an integrated marketing and communications program that reflects and reinforces the University's strategic plan and ambitions for the future. Reporting to the VPUR and serving as a key member of the vice president's leadership team, the AVP will be the University's principal advisor on all marketing and communications-related matters. This is a tremendous opportunity for a dynamic and accomplished executive to define and build an innovative approach to marketing and communications that unifies messaging for Puget Sound, supports and furthers the goals of the entire University, increases awareness nationally and internationally, and engages all constituencies on and off campus.
The successful AVP must be a strategic and creative leader with a thorough understanding of best practices in marketing, communications, and branding. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience developing and implementing multi-faceted, integrated marketing and communications efforts that position and elevate the perception of an entire institution with multiple audiences. This person will possess keen strategic and planning skills, a thorough understanding of all traditional and digital media, and a comprehensive understanding of the marketing and communications process, from creative conception through fulfillment. Demonstrable leadership, vision, and managerial skills are key, as is a collaborative and collegial nature. The successful candidate will be intellectually curious and committed to active engagement in the campus and local communities. A bachelor's degree is required.
APPLICATIONS, INQUIRIES, AND NOMINATIONS
University Of Puget Sound Has Retained The Services Of Isaacson, Miller, a National Executive Search Firm, To Assist In Conducting This Search. Screening Of Complete Applications Will Begin Immediately And Continue Until The Completion Of The Search Process. Inquiries, Nominations, Referrals, And Resumes With Cover Letters Should Be Sent Via The Isaacson, Miller Website For The Search
University of Puget Sound is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining the most qualified persons based on job-related criteria. The University will not engage in or tolerate any discrimination or harassment in the workplace as prohibited by local, state, or federal law. More specifically, no applicant or staff member will be discriminated against or harassed on the basis of their sex, race, color, nation of origin, religion, creed, age, disability, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, gender identity, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law.