Temple University is searching for an Assistant Vice President for Communications and Content Strategy

Temple University has retained the Executive Search Firm, The Ward Group, to lead the search efforts. Interested applicants should submit a cover letter and resume to: info@wardgroup.com and reference “Temple University” in the subject line.

Organization
Temple University is a center of excellence in teaching and research, with an international presence and a commitment to the community.

Our talented faculty lead more than 600 academic programs across 17 schools and colleges, and on campuses and partnerships that span the globe, from Rome to Japan. While retaining our attention to the great city of Philadelphia that is our home, Temple draws students from the region, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the United States and around the world.

Today, more than 30,000 dynamic and diverse students call Temple their educational home. Temple is among the nation’s largest educators in the combined fields of dentistry, law, medicine, pharmacy, and podiatry. The university’s extraordinary faculty offer world-class teaching and experiences, while our researchers are engaged in solving the most difficult issues that we face today, from eliminating HIV/AIDS to helping communities deal with the impact of climate change.

More than 130 years after its creation, Temple continues to carry forward the vision of its founder, Russell Conwell, who made his university the embodiment of its motto, “Perseverance Conquers.”

Reports to
Angela Polec, Vice President for Strategic Marketing and Communications

Opportunity Proposition
The newly created Assistant Vice President for Communications and Content Strategy will have a unique opportunity to elevate Temple University’s visibility and marketplace standing under the leadership of President-elect John Fry. As a key member of the Vice President’s dynamic senior staff, you will lead an integrated team charged with elevating Temple's external communications efforts in a proactive and sustained way to advance the institution's strategic goals and objectives, as well as its reputation locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

Principal Responsibilities

Issues Management

o The AVP will serve as a key leader in crisis and issues management communications. In collaboration with the VP for Strategic Marketing and Communications (SM+C) and university leadership, the AVP will develop and execute communications across internal and external audiences, creating a unified response across the institution.

o Serve as a primary media contact and spokesperson for the university. Prepare university leadership for media interactions.

o Demonstrate the utmost integrity, discretion, and sound judgement when dealing with sensitive and confidential matters.

Media Relations Strategy

o Develop and execute a comprehensive media relations strategy to substantially increase the volume and quality of positive earned media placements in support of the university’s strategic objectives.

o Lead the proactive identification and cultivation of compelling stories that are aligned to strategic messages and position the university as a leader regionally, nationally, and globally. Oversee the planning and execution of thorough and compelling media pitches to a variety of media outlets to enhance the visibility and reputation of the university.

o Proactively build relationships with media outlets regionally, nationally, and globally. Lead and train a team in proactive and reactive media engagements aimed at enhancing and protecting the reputation of the university.

Executive and internal communications

o Collaborate with university leadership on internal and external messaging on items for topics that have potential to impact the university’s reputation or generate significant attention.

o Develop communications initiatives that depict Temple's president as the leader and personification of the university's mission, vision, and strategic initiatives. Create plans that integrate presidential communications with the greater communications efforts of the university. Craft communications materials for the president including but not limited to remarks, keynote addresses, talking points, and campus messages.

Content Strategy

o Lead an integrated content and communications function that leverages multiple mediums and tactics to deliver timely, compelling, and effective content.

o Oversee the editorial content strategy across university channels that spans a variety of audiences in support of university objectives. Cultivate and curate compelling and effective content across a wide range of channels with a goal of increasing visibility, reputation and driving KPIs.

Elevate Academic and Research Messaging and Media

o In collaboration with the colleagues across the academic enterprise, increase the volume and visibility of academic and research focused stories across owned, social, and earned media.

Social Media

o Oversee the strategy and management of the university’s flagship social media accounts to increase visibility and drive engagement and conversions across key audiences.

o Stay abreast of emerging trends, strategies, best practices, and technology in the social media space.

Leadership and Team Management

o Champion a forward-looking mindset and culture of continuous improvement in alignment with best practices, university priorities, and current and future market needs.

o Lead and mentor a team of 15 professionals across news and media relations, content development and social media. Provide mentorship, guidance, and strategic direction to achieve the departmental and University-wide goals and objectives. Helps the team understand the “why” behind initiatives. Motivates the team to work more collaboratively and efficiently across all stakeholders.

o Establish and monitor key performance indicators across the portfolio to measure and assess effectiveness of communications strategies through a data-informed approach. Provide regular and ad hoc reports and analysis to the vice president.

o Provide leadership and clarity to cultivate an organization that can balance intentional planning and pursuing long-term goals with the nimbleness and adaptability needed to respond to emerging issues and trends.

o Lead the development, recommendation, implementation, optimization, and improvement of communication processes, practices, and policies. Identifies issues, challenges, and opportunities within department and university systems. Strategizes and leads team in solutions.

o Strengthen our foundation in data, analytics and insights through operational processes and best practices.

o Serve as a trusted advisor to the vice president on a wide range of communications issues and represent the vice president and the division on projects where needed.

Professional and Personal Profile

8+ years of experience in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field. Experience within a higher education, academic healthcare or similarly complex institutional setting is required. B.A. required; master’s degree preferred.
Experience developing and executing media strategies. Has a proven track record of securing positive media coverage, building relationships with journalists and effectively managing media inquiries. Has served as a spokesperson and has exposure to on camera interviews.
Demonstrated success in leading communications and media strategy surrounding crisis and issues management for an organization.
Experience in managing and/or an understanding of social media platforms and digital engagement strategies.
Knowledge of media monitoring tools, analytics platforms, and social media management tools.
Adept at inspiring, transforming, and leading teams in complex organizations. Strong facilitation, partnership, interpersonal, and listening skills. Has experience attracting and retaining outstanding talent.
Demonstrated track-record of professional good judgement and discretion in dealing with sensitive and confidential matters.
Deep understanding of all aspects and complexities of strategic marketing communications including planning, budgeting, and reporting.
Demonstrated ability to work as part of a cross-functional team effectively and collaboratively.
Excellent written and verbal communications skills, with the ability to craft clear, concise messaging for diverse audiences.
Superior communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to successfully engage with a range of internal and external constituents.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment while maintaining accuracy of work. Superior organizational skills - must be able to effectively prioritize and meet deadlines.
Deep knowledge of the higher education landscape or comparable experience in a similarly complex, mission-driven environment, with an understanding of the communications role within a multifaceted organization.

Temple University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all in every aspect of its operations, including employment, service, and educational programs. The University has pledged not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national origin or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or veteran status.

Compliance Statement: In the performance of their functions as detailed in the position description employees have an obligation to avoid ethical, legal, financial and other conflicts of interest to ensure that their actions and outside activities do not conflict with their primary employment responsibilities at the institution. Employees are also expected to understand and be in compliance with applicable laws, University and employment policies and regulations, including NCAA regulations for areas and departments which their essential functions cause them to interact.

Temple University's Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains statistics, policies, and procedures related to campus safety. Go here to review: https://safety.temple.edu/reports-logs/annual-security-report

You may request a copy of the report by calling Temple University’s Campus Safety Services at 215-204-7900.

Temple University

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Assistant Vice President, Communications & Content Strategy