What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vice President for Strategic Brand Communications position at Inside Higher Ed?
Position Category: Staff (Exempt)
FLSA: Exempt
FTE: 1.00
Location: Thousand Oaks
University Background
The mission of California Lutheran University is to educate leaders for a global society who are strong in character and judgment, confident in their identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice. Founded in 1959 in beautiful Ventura County, the university has an enrollment of about 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students who come from across the nation and around the world from a diversity of backgrounds, cultures and faiths. As a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution, Cal Lutheran is looking for candidates with a dedication to and success in working in diverse communities. The university is committed to an inclusive learning and work environment that values individual differences and respects each person's dignity.
Basic Function
Reporting to the Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, the Vice President for Strategic Brand Communications provides strategic leadership and direction for the University's brand, marketing, and communications efforts.
The Vice President plays a key role in shaping the University's brand positioning, messaging, and market presence, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and long-term growth objectives.
Working closely with senior leadership and campus partners, the Vice President guides institutional communications and brand strategy, supporting enrollment growth, philanthropic engagement, and overall institutional visibility.
Representative Duties
Institutional Brand Strategy and Positioning
Master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education, preferably in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, business administration, or a related field.
At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in strategic communications, branding, marketing, journalism, public relations, or related fields. Experience may be gained within higher education or other sectors with comparable responsibilities for brand development, strategic communications, reputation management, or organizational visibility initiatives.
At least ten (10) years of leadership experience in a management role within a complex organization, including responsibility for strategic initiatives, staff supervision, and management of budgets and resources.
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing institutional communications or branding strategies that strengthen organizational visibility, reputation, and stakeholder engagement.
Preferred Qualifications
N.A.
Physical Abilities
Detect to understand appropriate written correspondence; operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer; communicate to exchange information in person, in writing, on the telephone and by email; stationary position for extended periods of time; move or transport light objects; position self to store and/or retrieve files
Working Environment
Office environment; driving a vehicle to conduct work; some evening and weekend work required; some overnight stays while attending fairs and conferences; constant interruptions
Hiring Range $195,000-$215,000
Posting Number: Staff004982022
Open Date: 04/14/2026
Close Date: 4/28/2026
Application Procedure/Special Instructions
To apply, visit https://careers.callutheran.edu/postings/13085
California Lutheran University is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment for all persons, regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable law. No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any program, activity or facility of the University on the basis of these factors in a manner consistent with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, ordinances, orders and rules, and University's policies, procedures, and processes.
Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process can be provided to individuals with qualifying disabilities. Please contact the Human Resources Department for further information or to request an accommodation.
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FLSA: Exempt
FTE: 1.00
Location: Thousand Oaks
University Background
The mission of California Lutheran University is to educate leaders for a global society who are strong in character and judgment, confident in their identity and vocation, and committed to service and justice. Founded in 1959 in beautiful Ventura County, the university has an enrollment of about 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students who come from across the nation and around the world from a diversity of backgrounds, cultures and faiths. As a federally recognized Hispanic-Serving Institution, Cal Lutheran is looking for candidates with a dedication to and success in working in diverse communities. The university is committed to an inclusive learning and work environment that values individual differences and respects each person's dignity.
Basic Function
Reporting to the Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, the Vice President for Strategic Brand Communications provides strategic leadership and direction for the University's brand, marketing, and communications efforts.
The Vice President plays a key role in shaping the University's brand positioning, messaging, and market presence, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and long-term growth objectives.
Working closely with senior leadership and campus partners, the Vice President guides institutional communications and brand strategy, supporting enrollment growth, philanthropic engagement, and overall institutional visibility.
Representative Duties
Institutional Brand Strategy and Positioning
- Lead the development and stewardship of the University's brand strategy, including positioning, messaging frameworks, and brand architecture.
- Define and articulate the University's distinctive value proposition within the higher education landscape.
- Develop and steward core brand attributes that define how the University is perceived and differentiated.
- Ensure consistent brand expression across academic programs, institutional initiatives, and communications channels.
- Establish and monitor key performance indicators related to brand strength, market visibility, and institutional reputation, and ensure alignment with enrollment and advancement outcomes.
- Serve as a senior leader within the University's strategy and growth functions, contributing to institutional strategy, priorities, and decision-making.
- Partner with senior leadership to advise on institutional positioning, public narrative, and reputational strategy.
- Lead institutional communications planning to support the University's strategic priorities and growth objectives.
- Lead strategic communications initiatives that highlight academic excellence, faculty scholarship, student success, and community impact.
- Translate complex institutional initiatives into clear and compelling narratives for internal and external audiences.
- Partner with senior leadership to communicate institutional priorities through coordinated communications strategies.
- Represent the University's brand and communications strategy in external engagements, including media, partnerships, and high-profile institutional initiatives.
- Strengthen regional and national reputation through strategic storytelling, media engagement, and thought leadership.
- Elevate the visibility of faculty expertise, research achievements, and student outcomes.
- Identify opportunities to position the University prominently in conversations related to higher education, innovation, and community impact.
- Provide strategic leadership and oversight for institutional marketing functions, including enrollment marketing, ensuring alignment with brand strategy, audience segmentation, and demand generation efforts.
- Collaborate closely with graduate and undergraduate Admissions teams and University Advancement and Partnerships to align institutional messaging and guide the development of integrated campaigns that support demand generation, enrollment growth, and philanthropic initiatives.
- Coordinate messaging across digital platforms, media outreach, publications, events, and institutional campaigns.
- Ensure strategic alignment of communications efforts across academic and administrative units to maintain a cohesive voice.
- Serve as the key leader guiding institutional brand strategy, messaging, and communications strategy across all University functions.
- Oversee the establishment and maintenance of university-wide brand standards and messaging frameworks to ensure consistency across all communications and external engagements.
- Provide strategic guidance to academic units and administrative offices regarding brand alignment and communications planning.
- Foster collaboration among communications, marketing, enrollment, and advancement teams to ensure coordinated messaging.
- Ensure alignment of brand and communications strategy with enrollment and advancement initiatives, providing guidance to support integrated institutional growth efforts.
- Provide strategic and operational leadership for branding and communications functions, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities and measurable outcomes.
- Provide strategic oversight of executive communications, including messaging for the President and senior leadership.
- Oversee marketing and communications teams, including functions supporting enrollment marketing, digital marketing, and campaign execution.
- Lead and develop high-performing communications teams, including setting direction, mentoring staff, and fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Oversee the development and execution of communications plans and messaging strategies supporting institutional initiatives and leadership priorities.
- Coordinate communications planning and implementation across campus units to ensure alignment with brand strategy.
- Lead the University's communications response during issues and crises in coordination with senior leadership.
- Develop and maintain crisis communications strategies and protocols to protect and strengthen institutional reputation.
- Provide guidance and training to campus leaders on issues management and crisis communications best practices.
- Partner with public safety, legal counsel, and executive leadership on sensitive or high-profile matters.
- Principles and practices of strategic branding, marketing, and integrated communications.
- Institutional brand development including brand positioning, messaging frameworks, brand attributes, and brand governance.
- Strategic communications practices including media relations, storytelling, reputation management, and crisis communications.
- Integrated communications strategies including paid, earned, owned, and digital media channels.
- Trends affecting higher education reputation, communications, and institutional visibility.
- Develop and lead a comprehensive institutional brand strategy aligned with the University's mission and strategic priorities.
- Translate complex academic initiatives into clear and compelling narratives for diverse audiences.
- Advise senior leadership on communications strategy, reputation management, and institutional positioning.
- Build consensus and collaborate effectively across a complex academic organization.
- Lead and develop high-performing teams while managing multiple priorities and initiatives.
Master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education, preferably in communications, marketing, journalism, public relations, business administration, or a related field.
At least ten (10) years of progressively responsible professional experience in strategic communications, branding, marketing, journalism, public relations, or related fields. Experience may be gained within higher education or other sectors with comparable responsibilities for brand development, strategic communications, reputation management, or organizational visibility initiatives.
At least ten (10) years of leadership experience in a management role within a complex organization, including responsibility for strategic initiatives, staff supervision, and management of budgets and resources.
Demonstrated experience developing and implementing institutional communications or branding strategies that strengthen organizational visibility, reputation, and stakeholder engagement.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting executive-level communications, including communications for senior leadership or governing boards.
- Experience developing and implementing issues management and crisis communications strategies.
- Experience working with donors, community leaders, or other high-profile external stakeholders.
- Experience in higher education or other mission-driven organizations.
- Demonstrated ability to articulate and steward institutional brand attributes and translate them into messaging and communications strategies.
N.A.
Physical Abilities
Detect to understand appropriate written correspondence; operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a calculator, copy machine, and computer printer; communicate to exchange information in person, in writing, on the telephone and by email; stationary position for extended periods of time; move or transport light objects; position self to store and/or retrieve files
Working Environment
Office environment; driving a vehicle to conduct work; some evening and weekend work required; some overnight stays while attending fairs and conferences; constant interruptions
Hiring Range $195,000-$215,000
Posting Number: Staff004982022
Open Date: 04/14/2026
Close Date: 4/28/2026
Application Procedure/Special Instructions
To apply, visit https://careers.callutheran.edu/postings/13085
California Lutheran University is committed to providing equal opportunity in employment for all persons, regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, gender, gender identity or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable law. No person shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination in any program, activity or facility of the University on the basis of these factors in a manner consistent with applicable federal and state laws, regulations, ordinances, orders and rules, and University's policies, procedures, and processes.
Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process can be provided to individuals with qualifying disabilities. Please contact the Human Resources Department for further information or to request an accommodation.
Copyright ©2025 Jobelephant.com Inc. All rights reserved.
Posted by the FREE value-added recruitment advertising agency
jeid-f884bcf0c97666448f91d558b74bba6e
Salary : $195,000 - $215,000