Vice President for Marketing and Communications PLEASE NOTE SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS

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Job Title:
Vice President for Marketing and Communications *PLEASE NOTE SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS*

Job Family:
Executives

Full-Time/Part-Time:
Full time

Compensation Grade:
MP

Pay Type:
Salary

Department:
Human Resources

Job Summary:
Furman University seeks an experienced and visionary leader to serve as Vice President for Marketing and Communications (VPMC) committed to the highest ideals of higher education and society and to lead the university's marketing, branding, and communication efforts. Founded in 1826, Furman is the oldest private university in South Carolina and among the 75 oldest institutions of higher education in operation nationally.

Job Description:

Today, Furman provides its 2,500 students with a distinctive education in the fine arts, humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and the sciences, as well as select professional disciplines, along with the excitement of 18 NCAA Division I teams. Furman is one of the nation's premier liberal arts and sciences universities and consistently earns recognition for academic excellence, accessible professors, sustainability, and innovation. Located in downtown Greenville and situated at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Furman's 750-acre campus is also famous for its natural and architectural beauty. Furman has always nurtured the cultivation of the whole person, and at the heart of that are myriad athletic, cultural, faith-based, volunteer, and social opportunities.

The vice president for marketing and communications is responsible for developing and executing data-driven strategies that enhance Furman's visibility, reputation, prospective students, alumni, donors, faculty, and the broader community. The VPMC will develop fully integrated marketing communications strategies and campaigns for Furman. The vice president for marketing and communications is responsible for developing and executing fully integrated data-driven marketing and communications strategies that elevate Furman's visibility and reputation while driving student recruitment and yield. The VPMC is also responsible for developing strategies that strengthen engagement with alumni and donors to foster lasting connections supporting the university's mission. The vice president and their team will be responsible for measuring the impact of their work to increase regional, national, and global awareness and the reputation of Furman University and serve as a sector leader in higher education marketing.

Reporting directly to President Elizabeth Davis, the vice president will be an accomplished leader in marketing and brand strategy with demonstrated experience in advancing the reputation of global brands, an aptitude for handling critical communications plans both proactively and in developing circumstances, and a strong understanding of higher education and its societal impact. The VPMC will deliver content and communications that are creatively and strategically implemented for maximum reach, especially through national and global media and other high-impact channels that influence and drive prospective student and consumer behaviors. The VPMC will also strategically coordinate the university's approach to major announcements, developments, crisis and reputational response, an effective and transparent internal communications strategy, and other strategic initiatives.

The vice president will play a critical role in building and establishing a vision and direction for the marketing and communications team while also envisioning how the team will evolve and operate in the future. This position will have direct oversight for a team of 20 centralized marketing and communications professionals and will work closely with academic and administrative partners to elevate and unify storytelling across the university. The VPMC will take an engaged approach to coaching, mentoring, and guiding the team to increase its capabilities and effectiveness, set clear performance management objectives, and actively evaluate structure, resources, and capabilities to provide proactive and agile partnership with university clients. The vice president will create an environment that rewards excellence, creativity, integrity, and teamwork.

The VPMC will be a strong team player, builder, and partner and extremely adept at leading through influence, empathy, and consensus-building. The vice president will have at least 15 years of proven leadership experience in data-driven marketing, digital strategy, and brand management within higher education or a similarly complex environment and a bachelor's degree.

All applications, nominations, and inquiries are invited. Applications should include, as separate documents, a resume and a letter of interest addressing the themes in the profile available below.

* PLEASE NOTE SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLYING FOR THIS POSITION ONLY *

WittKieffer is assisting Furman University in this search. Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. However, for fullest consideration, candidate materials should be received by Tuesday, May 6th, 2025.

Application materials should be submitted using WittKieffer's candidate portal, via the buttons below.

Nominations and inquiries can be directed to:

Melissa Fincher, Amy Crutchfield, and Tyler Workman

FurmanVPMarComm@wittkieffer.com

Furman University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, pregnancy, disability, age, religion, veteran status, or any other characteristic or status protected by applicable local, state, or federal law in admission, treatment, or access to, or employment in, its programs and activities.

Education Requirements:

Certification Requirements:

Job Posting End Date (if date is blank, posting is open ended):

To apply, visit https://furman.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Furman_Careers/job/Main-Campus/Vice-President-for-Marketing-and-Communications-PLEASE-NOTE-SPECIAL-INSTRUCTIONS-FOR-APPLICANTS-_R002752

Furman is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty and staff. The University aspires to create a community of people representing a multiplicity of identities including gender, race, religion, spiritual belief, sexual orientation, geographic origin, socioeconomic background, ideology, world view, and varied abilities. Domestic partners of employees are eligible for comprehensive benefits.jeid-2f791885c26b6944ae4cfedf163797b4