Vice President, Communications

Vice President (Communications and Marketing)

Work Location:
Madison, WI - National Office

Schedule:
Full time

Application Deadline: December 9, 2024

The Vice President of Communications plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing a comprehensive communication strategy that engages stakeholders, enhances InterVarsity's brand reputation, and accomplishes strategic objectives. The VP oversees the organization's creative teams - including video production, graphic design, digital training, and editorial. With a broad understanding of the organization and its functions, the VP coordinates efforts with multiple departments and partners for optimal resource stewardship. This senior leadership position requires a communication professional with a strategic mindset, strong leadership skills, and a track record of driving impactful communication initiatives.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES Personal

• Spiritual Growth: Be a maturing disciple of Jesus Christ: growing in love for God, God's Word, God's people of every ethnicity and culture, and God's purposes in the world.

• Ongoing Learning: Be a lifelong learner who prizes the discipleship of the mind; particularly staying current on issues of communication, the church in our society, and organizational culture.

• Strategic Vision: Lead the development of a comprehensive communication strategy that aligns with InterVarsity's mission, vision, and strategic priorities.

• Internal Communications: Oversee the development and implementation of internal communication initiatives to foster a culture of transparency and engagement, ensuring clear, consistent and effective messaging across the organization.

• Social Media Experience: Design and implement a strategy to drive social media user experience including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, YouTube to maximize student engagement.

• Impact Metrics: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) for all communication activities to measure success and guide continuous improvement.

• Brand Management: Ensure consistency in brand messaging and visual identity across communication channels and materials.

• Team Leadership: Lead and inspire a diverse team of creative professionals, fostering a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and excellence.

• Project Oversight: Ensure the planning, execution, and delivery of video production, graphic design, digital training and editorial content, meets quality standards and deadlines.

• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain strong relationships with key departments, (Field, Development, and Diversity) to ensure creative outputs support organizational priorities.

• Recruitment: Hire, manage, and mentor a team that can execute the communications strategy effectively.

• Professional Growth: Promote a culture of high performance and continuous improvement that values learning and a commitment to quality.

• Performance Management: Provide clear direction, regular feedback, and conduct annual performance appraisals.

• Budget Management: Develop and manage annual budgets in accordance with InterVarsity policies and procedures, ensuring good resource stewardship (e. g. people, time, money, systems and materials).

• Operational Efficiency: Recommend and implement systems and procedures to enhance communication effectiveness and organizational impact.

• Reporting: Prepare regular reports and presentations for executive leadership on communication strategy, outcomes, and impact.

• Support Raising: Develop a prayer and financial support team, raising an agreed-upon amount of financial support.

• Public Relations: Build strategic partnerships with organizations, churches, and agencies to advance InterVarsity's mission. Proactively manage media outreach opportunities for positive coverage. Represent the organization through internal and external speaking engagements.

• Crisis Communication: Manage crisis communication when necessary to protect InterVarsity's reputation.

• Annually affirm InterVarsity's Statement of Faith. Abide by InterVarsity's Code of Conduct.

• Thorough knowledge of or the ability to learn: the purpose, vision, ministries and policies of InterVarsity.

• Bachelor's degree in journalism, communications, business or a related field is required; an advanced degree is preferred.

• Minimum 10 years' experience in a management role.

• Demonstrated experience in managing a comprehensive strategic communication plan to advance an organization's mission and goals.

• Significant theological acuity and spiritual maturity.

• Strong understanding of various communication channels, including traditional media, digital platforms, and social media.

• Superior management skills; ability to influence and engage direct and indirect reports and peers.

• Leadership skills, including negotiation, problem solving, decision making, and delegation.

• Strong skills in leading and managing change, developing workable implementation plans, communicating change effectively, preparing and supporting those affected by change, monitoring transition, holding the team accountable and evaluating results.

• Strong interpersonal skills and building relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

• Exceptional interpersonal, written and verbal presentation skills in relating to people at all levels of positions and from diverse backgrounds, adjusting communication style as needed.

• Proven business acumen as well as analytical and problem-solving abilities. Able to negotiate effectively with internal customers, partners and external service providers.

• Experience in building, mentoring, and coaching a team of both communication and creative specialists.

• Demonstrated ability to raise funds for staff and programs preferred; including experience in the funding needs of women and ethnic minority persons in ministry.

• Strong analytical and strategic skills with a high capacity for managing complexity.

• Strong financial acumen. Experience preparing and managing department and project budgets.

• Ability to synthesize and deliver complex information to diverse audiences both verbally and in writing.

• Hold a high value for diversity, track record in working in diverse and cross-cultural environments, and the ability to function well cross-culturally in a variety of contexts.

• Experience managing media relations and crisis communication.

• Will.