Vice President for Marketing and Communications

Search for the Vice President for Marketing and Communications

University of Maryland

College Park, Maryland

The Search

The University of Maryland seeks a strategic, collaborative, and innovative executive as its next vice president for marketing and communications. This is an exceptional opportunity to join an extraordinary institution as a visionary leader responsible for continuing to elevate its reputation as one of the nation’s preeminent public research universities.

Founded in 1856, the University of Maryland (UMD) is the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland. A global leader in research, entrepreneurship, and innovation, the university is home to more than 40,700 students, 14,000 faculty and staff, and nearly 400,000 alumni all dedicated to moving Fearlessly Forward. In addition to a commitment to support and advance its educational and research mission, the university’s aspirations include unity, respect, security and safety, inclusivity and accountability, and openness to growth. A member of the Association of American Universities, UMD’s 12 schools and colleges offer over 300 degree-granting programs, including over 100 undergraduate majors and more than 230 graduate programs. It is also a member of the Big Ten Conference.

Reporting to President Darryll J. Pines and serving as a key member of his cabinet, the vice president for marketing and communications (VPMC) will play a critical role in helping UMD to frame and convey its position as a national powerhouse in research, academics, the arts, and athletics; its commitment to embracing diversity in its campus community of over 50,000 individuals; and its work tackling the grand challenges of our time as well as its contributions to local, national, and international communities. This is an excellent opportunity for a dynamic and accomplished communications and marketing professional to partner with the senior administration of a major research university and work with key stakeholders to build on UMD’s existing strengths and success, further elevating the university’s reputation and support for its mission. To that end, the VPMC will develop and implement a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy that clearly defines university-wide priorities and messages and, simultaneously, will influence communications and marketing efforts across the university through collaboration and partnership. This work will result in a strategic platform that unifies messaging and branding for UMD, supports and furthers the goals of the entire university and its individual units, and engages constituencies both on and off campus.

The successful candidate will have a clear record of accomplishments as an innovative and collaborative leader in a large, mission-driven organization—ideally, a complex university setting—with substantial experience developing and implementing multifaceted communications and marketing efforts that position and elevate the awareness and understanding of an institution with multiple audiences – internally, externally, and with a variety of politically and culturally diverse communities and stakeholders. This person will possess exceptional diplomacy, judgment, and integrity; a full understanding of the marketing, branding, and communications process from creative conceptualization to implementation; expert knowledge of traditional, digital, video, and emerging media; experience and savvy in crisis communications and issues management; and demonstrated success fostering an inclusive team culture and building an efficient, cohesive, and collaborative team. The VPMC must be able to articulate a vision for communications, marketing, and branding that advances UMD’s reputation with all of its diverse audiences and inspires internal communications partners across the organization. Equally important are a collaborative, collegial orientation and the flexibility to navigate a large and complex university community. A bachelor’s degree and at least 12 years of demonstrated senior leadership are required.

The University of Maryland has retained Jack Gorman of the national executive search firm Isaacson, Miller to conduct this important recruitment. For more information, to submit a nomination, or to apply for this role, please visit: https://www.imsearch.com/open-searches/university-maryland/vice-president-marketing-communications.

The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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