Assistant Vice President for Strategic Communication and Public Relations

The Assistant Vice President for Strategic Communications and Public Relations provides executive leadership for Stevens Institute of Technology's communications, public relations, and institutional storytelling functions within the Division of University Advancement.

Reporting to the Vice President for University Advancement and Chief of Staff, this position advances Stevens' mission and reputation through integrated strategies that elevate the university's visibility, strengthen engagement among key audiences, and align communications across advancement, enrollment, and academic priorities. The AVP oversees a team of directors and professional staff responsible for strategic communications, public and media relations, multimedia, social media, executive communications, and crisis communications, ensuring a unified and data-informed approach to advancing the Stevens brand.

The position operates during a period of intense scrutiny for higher education. Shifting federal policy, funding uncertainty, and growing public skepticism about the cost and value of a degree are reshaping how universities communicate and defend their reputations. The AVP must lead in this environment with sound judgment and steady execution, advancing Stevens' reputation while managing fast-moving issues that carry institutional risk.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Institutional Reputation

• Lead the development and execution of integrated communications strategies that promote Stevens' reputation among national, industry, and peer audiences.
• Oversee storytelling initiatives that highlight Stevens' academic strengths, faculty research, student success, alumni impact, and strategic partnerships.
• Serve as a senior advisor to university leadership on messaging, positioning, and reputation management.
• Direct the university's crisis and issues communications, ensuring timely, coordinated, and strategic responses.
• Represent the Division of University Advancement as a member of the senior leadership team and provide counsel on communications planning and resource alignment.

Public and Media Relations

• Guide proactive earned media strategy to increase Stevens' visibility in national, regional, technology, and higher education outlets.
• Cultivate and maintain relationships with journalists, editors, and influencers to promote faculty expertise and institutional achievements.
• Ensure alignment of media outreach with strategic goals for enrollment, advancement, research, and corporate partnerships.
• Oversee reputation monitoring and analytics to assess impact and inform continuous improvement.

Creative and Content Strategy Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of the university's creative content strategy across all owned, earned, and paid channels.
• Direct the creation of core narrative frameworks, campaign concepts, scripts, video storylines, feature content, and multimedia assets that serve as the foundation for Stevens' marketing, enrollment, advancement, and reputation-building efforts.
• Partner with Marketing to ensure that all paid campaigns are grounded in original creative direction developed under Strategic Communications.
• Oversee content pipelines and editorial planning to ensure cohesive storytelling and a consistent brand voice across institutional initiatives.
• Ensure that creative content aligns with Stevens' mission, strategic priorities, and audience insights while driving measurable engagement and visibility.

Executive and Institutional Communications

• Lead development of speeches, op-eds, video scripts, letters, and remarks for the president and senior leadership, maintaining voice consistency and strategic alignment.
• Manage internal and external announcements, presidential messages, and key university statements.
• Provide direct strategic counsel to senior leadership on sensitive communications and institutional messaging.

Digital, Multimedia, and Social Media Strategy

• Direct social media strategy for the university and the president's office, ensuring cohesive, on-brand engagement across platforms.
• Oversee a significantly expanded multimedia function with advanced production, technical, and digital content capabilities supporting reputation, enrollment, and advancement initiatives.
• Leverage analytics and digital tools to optimize reach, engagement, and storytelling impact.
• Champion innovation through new platforms, AI-informed content development, and multimedia collaboration.

Cross-Divisional Collaboration

• Partner with Development and Alumni Engagement, Corporate and Government Relations, Enrollment Management, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and schools to align messaging and maximize impact.
• Provide thought leadership and creative direction for an ambitious comprehensive campaign.
• Lead communications for major institutional initiatives and events, including undergraduate and graduate enrollment, Innovation Expo, Commencement, the launch of the School of Computing, and strategic partnerships.
• Serve as a division communications liaison to university committees, working groups, and external partners.

Team Leadership and Operations

• Lead and mentor a team that includes director-level leaders (Public and Media Relations, Strategic Communications, Multimedia) and professional staff across strategic communications, public relations, social media, and multimedia.
• Provide leadership through periods of organizational change, staffing transitions, and increased institutional demand.
• Foster professional development, collaboration, and operational efficiency through clear performance goals and careful team management.
• Manage unit budgets, contracts, and vendor relationships to ensure strategic use of resources.
• Ensure continuity of operations, quality, and morale in a fast-paced environment characterized by high-volume demands, complex institutional priorities, and evolving organizational structures.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, journalism, marketing, or a related field; master's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressively responsible experience in strategic communications, public relations, or integrated marketing within higher education or a comparable complex organization.
• Demonstrated success in developing and executing data-informed communications strategies that strengthen institutional reputation and engagement.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and provide strategic counsel to senior leadership.
• Strong writing, editing, and presentation skills, with demonstrated expertise in executive communications.
• Experience managing media relations, social media strategy, and multimedia production in alignment with institutional goals.
• Demonstrated judgment, discretion, and professionalism in handling sensitive and confidential issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within an advancement, alumni engagement, or integrated communications environment.
• Familiarity with analytics, SEO, and reputation measurement tools.
• Understanding of higher education reputation drivers and the national media landscape

Competencies

• Strategic thinking and planning
• Leadership and collaboration
• Crisis management and judgment
• Data-informed decision-making
• Innovation and adaptability
• Commitment to excellence and institutional mission

Impact

The Assistant Vice President for Strategic Communications and Public Relations plays a pivotal leadership role in advancing Stevens Institute of Technology's national and global reputation. This position directly contributes to institutional success by shaping perception, driving visibility among target audiences, and ensuring cohesive messaging across advancement, enrollment, and academic communications.