Chief Communications Officer

University of Vermont

Chief Communications Officer

The University of Vermont (UVM) seeks a creative, visionary and experienced professional to serve as its next chief communications officer. This senior-level position will act as a strategic thought partner and a dynamic and eager member of the senior leadership team who is ready to tackle an ambitious set of agendas at one of the nation’s most historic and respected public universities.

This talented and energetic individual will lead, supervise, and motivate a centralized communications and marketing team, provide overarching connection, coordination, and support to the key marketing units on campus including Admissions, the Foundation (development and alumni relations), and Continuing and Distance Education.  Additionally, the centralized team will provide overarching leadership and strategy to personnel in all the colleges and schools and administrative units. This is a compelling opportunity for an experienced and adept communications and marketing leader to: develop, coordinate, and/or implement creative and measurable digital marketing strategies, including internal and external communications plans, market research, public relations, media relations, publications, and other aspects of strategic marketing; manage the University of Vermont website; and protect, promote, and enhance the university’s brand. The chief communications officer will be a direct report to Dr. Suresh Garimella, President of the University of Vermont, in close managerial coordination with the president's chief of staff.

The chief communications officer advises the president and university leadership about key opportunities and initiatives that advance the profile and brand of the university in alignment with the Amplifying Our Impact strategic vision and develops a compelling narrative about the significant education, scholarship, research, and public service offered by UVM. The CCO will oversee university, college, and unit responses to crises and emergency communication while providing leadership as a university spokesperson on the local, state, national, and global level. The division is comprised of a talented staff that seeks strategic vision, cultivation of creative and innovative ideas, and serves as a spokesperson to translate their efforts to partners across the university. 

Since 1791, the University of Vermont has worked to move humankind forward. UVM’s strengths align with the most pressing needs of our time: the health of our societies and the health of our environment. Our size—large enough to offer a breadth of ideas, resources, and opportunities, yet intimate enough to enable close faculty-student mentorship across all levels of study—allows us to pursue these interconnected issues through cross-disciplinary research and collaboration. Providing an unparalleled educational experience for our students, and ensuring their success, are at the core of what we do. As one of the nation’s first land grant universities, UVM advances Vermont—and the broader society—through the discovery and application of new knowledge.

Candidates should provide, as two separate documents, a resume and a letter of application that addresses the responsibilities and requirements described in the Leadership Profile.  Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer's candidate portal.

For more information, questions or nominations, please contact the University of Vermont's consultants, Lisa Meyer, Kati Sweaney and Robin Mamlet at UVMCCO@wittkieffer.com. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

A comprehensive leadership profile can be found at wittkieffer.com.

The University of Vermont is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Applications from women, veterans, individuals with disabilities, and people from diverse racial, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds are encouraged.