Serving as a critical member of the Vice President for Campus Life (VPCL) senior leadership team, the Special Assistant to the Vice President and Director of Communications develops and implements a VPCL communication strategy which presents a compelling and consistent image of the VPCL mission, vision, strategies, goals and accomplishments to various constituent groups. This position will work collaboratively with Campus Life leaders and staff in the Office of the VPCL to draft reports, proposals, briefings, presentations, speeches, correspondence and other materials on behalf of the Vice President. The Special Assistant/Director of Communications will develop and maintain strong collaborative relationships with other Campus Life communicators and with the University Office of Communications. Serving as Special Assistant to the Vice President, this role has the responsibility to be a strategic thinking partner and advisor to the VPCL leadership team and the Vice President on specific initiatives, projects and to translate the goals and strategies of VPCL into specific projects. The Special Assistant and Director of Communications will monitor and track major initiatives and priorities of the Office of the Vice President for Campus Life, serve as project manager for high priority initiatives and activities in the Office of VPCL that require central coordination and, where appropriate, represent the VPCL on University-wide planning working groups or committees.
COMMUNICATIONS RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Develop and implement a strategic communications plan to increase awareness and engagement with Campus Life resources and initiatives; identifying internal and external audiences, defining key messages, designing infrastructure and establishing communication goals.
- As a part of the VPCL leadership, actively participate in the VPCL planning process in order to keep abreast of emerging developments and provide critical input regarding appropriate communications strategy.
- Recognize the top priorities of the VPCL's agenda and perspectives and anticipate what may be needed to be prepared to respond to unexpected events.
- Working with the Campus Life Staff Development Committee's Communication subcommittee and other Campus Life area communicators, manage Campus Life's internal communications activities and identify opportunities for cross-promotion and coordinated messages.
- Oversee the maintenance of tigerlife.princeton.edu and campuslife.princeton.edu and collaborate with VPCL staff to develop new and updated content as needed.
- Oversee and partner with VPCL staff on the strategy and content creation for VPCL social media accounts.
SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO THE VICE PRESIDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Serve as project manager for high priority initiatives and activities in Campus Life that require central coordination.
- Provide leadership or staff support for working groups or committees convened by the Vice President.
- Work collaboratively with Advancement to support the Vice President for Campus Life Advisory Committee.
- Be knowledgeable of current trends and issues in higher education and at peer institutions.
- Work on special projects of the VPCL office.
Essential qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree and 5 or more years leading communication strategies and efforts, preferably within higher education.
- Demonstrated success in planning and implementing communications strategies.
- Excellent communication skills, including written, oral, listening and facilitation skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity.
- Proficiency in desk top publishing and web technology.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively with others as well as independently.
- Extraordinary judgment and instincts, paired with a thoughtful approach and the highest degree of personal integrity and ethical standard
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