AVP Strategic Relations and Communications

Iowa State University seeks an innovative, creative and collaborative leader for its Associate Vice President (AVP) for Strategic Relations and Communication. 

This position is responsible for providing leadership and strategy for University communications, marketing and public relations, and overseeing and providing direction to staff responsible for delivering on university level strategic communications. 

The Associate Vice President reports to and advises the President and is an integral member of the President’s leadership team. The AVP is a thought leader who advances the University by developing and implementing an institutional relationship and communications strategy that is grounded in transparency, creates awareness of University initiatives and programs, encourages innovation, enhances the University’s brand, and aligns relationships with the institution's strategic vision and goals. This position plays a critical role in aligning communications, marketing and public relations priorities across the University community to achieve the institutional vision including foundational strategic positioning and branding resources. 

The ideal candidate will bring significant experience overseeing communications, marketing and public relations gained through increasingly responsible roles in comparably complex settings.  The AVP recommends and establishes policies and procedures and subsequently monitors functional goals for planning, implementation and evaluation of strategic communications strategies and ensure adherence to policies and procedures, as well best practices and effectiveness. 

Fulfilling the AVP responsibilities requires exceptional communications and relationship building skills.  The AVP is responsible for stewarding a productive, innovative and creative team of professional staff, enabling the highest level of commitment for advancing the university through excellence in institutional strategic communications.  The AVP demonstrates positive and inclusive leadership skills that ensure cross-collaborative teams that are most effectively engaging the university’s target audiences, both internal and external.  

This position serves at the pleasure of university administration and is exempt from certain P&S policies.

Iowa State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, marital status, disability, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against.