Assistant Vice President, Strategic Communications

Responsibilities

• The AVP will be responsible for the following key areas:
• Internal and Change Management Communications
• Lead enterprise change communications and stakeholder engagement; serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders to anticipate, evaluate, and clearly communicate the impacts of organizational, operational, financial, and strategic decisions
• Strengthen institutional capacity for change management by developing frameworks, processes, and communication strategies that enable leaders to navigate complexity, uncertainty, and competing stakeholder expectations with clarity, consistency, and confidence
• Lead stakeholder analysis and engagement planning to shape communications around constituent needs and perspectives. Help leaders frame complex decisions, so they promote clarity, alignment, and constructive engagement among university and external audiences.
• Advance proactive change communications
• Equip leaders across the University to lead during this time of ambiguity and increased expectations
• Ensure that communications surrounding major initiatives are thoughtful, coordinated, and strategically aligned, positioning University leadership as informed, decisive, and prepared in the face of continual change
• Provide support for and collaborate with Commonwealth Campus communicators to maintain a cohesive brand identity while addressing campus-specific needs
• Human Resources and Employee Relations Communications
• Oversee the team responsible for the creation and oversight of university-wide employee communications strategies, programs, and messaging regarding key University initiatives
• Develop creative strategies that foster intern

Benefits

Additional Information

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS: CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday. If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants . Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants . POSITION SPECIFICS Penn State's Office of Strategic Communications , the University's central public relations and marketing division, is seeking an experienced, proactive, and innovative leader to serve as its Assistant Vice President, Strategic Communications (AVP) . This position will report directly to the Vice President for Strategic Communications, Rachel Pell , and collaborate with academic, administrative, and communications and marketing leaders and staff at Penn State campuses across the state. The AVP will help protect and advance the University's reputation for integrity; nurture pride and attachment among faculty, staff, and students; enhance understanding of and drive support for major leadership priorities; strengthen the institution's commitment to its employees; and advance Penn State's position as an exceptional employer. Specifically, this forward-thinking and collaborative communications executive will provide overall vision and strategic leadership to an integrated team of 11 who are responsible for internal communications, including human resources and change management communications; Penn State News and other news vehicles; and partnership with communicators outside Strat Comm. The AVP will also partner closely with the issues and crisis team to support and work in critical areas facing the University. This individual must be a proactive and engaged member of the office who works toward solutions, directly contributes to the work of the office, and provides perspective on a variety of issues and forces shaping Penn State, as well as higher education, during a time of evolution in the University's structure and priorities.

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