Posting Details

Posting Information

Posting Number
PG194684EP

Internal Recruitment
No

Working Title
Associate Vice Chancellor, Integrated Strategic Communications

Anticipated Hiring Range
Commensurate with Education and Experience

Work Schedule
Core Business Hours are Monday - Friday; 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Job Location
Raleigh, NC

Department
Chancellor's Office And Staff

Essential Job Duties

This is a repost: Previous applicants need not reapply

We are seeking a collaborative leader with significant experience leading strategic communications, media relations, and reputation management within complex, high-visibility organizations. This executive role serves as a university's spokesperson and primary reputation promoter and guardian, shaping how NC State engages with news media, navigates complex issues, and translates research and institutional impact into clear public understanding.

This is a role where steady judgment, sound decision-making, and clear communication in fast-moving, high-pressure environments are essential. As a leader in this position, you will build trust through transparency and consistency when circumstances are evolving and visibility is high. You will foster alignment across internal partners, media, and executive stakeholders, ensuring clarity in moments of complexity and providing confident direction that strengthens institutional credibility and response.

Through a responsive, relationship-driven approach, you will strengthen the university's readiness and performance in high-stakes environments. You will build and sustain a robust network of media relationships at the local, national, and global level-securing credible earned coverage that positions NC State as a trusted source of expertise and innovation. Overseeing Public Relations, Strategic Communications and Media, and Research Communications, you ensure the university's "Think and Do" impact is communicated with clarity, coherence, and purpose.

Key responsibilities fall within the five core functional areas outlined below.

Strategic Media Relations & Brand Visibility

• Build and sustain relationships with local, national, and international media to elevate NC State expertise and research.
• Lead proactive storytelling that highlights student success, faculty achievement, and institutional and research impact.
• Oversee news operations, ensuring timely, accurate, and high-quality news content.

Issues Management & Crisis Communications

• Lead crisis and issues management with clarity and composure in high-pressure situations.
• Advise university leadership on emerging issues, reputational risk, and sensitive communications.
• Coordinate cross-campus response to ensure aligned and consistent messaging during critical incidents.

Research Communications & Impact Storytelling

• Translate complex research into clear, compelling narratives that demonstrate public value.
• Partner with research leadership to increase visibility in prestige, trade, and industry media.

Executive Communications & Thought Leadership

• Shape leadership messaging, including speeches, op-eds, and institutional narratives.
• Align executive communications with broader reputation and media strategy to ensure consistency and trust.

Collaboration & Culture

• Collaborate and partner closely with the AVC for Brand and Integrated Strategic Operations and the AVC for Integrated Content Strategy
• Develops and mentors team, with a strong focus on division-wide culture

If you are a communications leader who thrives in complex, high-visibility environments and is motivated by shaping how a major institution is understood, trusted, and represented in the public sphere, we encourage you to apply.

Other Responsibilities

In addition to the core responsibilities of this role, there will be opportunities to represent the division through engagement with a wide range of internal and external constituents, including university leadership, public officials, representatives from the UNC System and peer institutions, students, parents, alumni, faculty, staff, and members of the public. These opportunities will be assigned in collaboration with the Vice Chancellor of Communications and Marketing in support of evolving departmental and institutional priorities.

Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience

• Post-baccalaureate degree in Journalism, Communications, Public Relations or a related field; or a Bachelor's degree with equivalent broad-based independent experience in executive-level strategic communications. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted for the advanced degree.

• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in communications, public relations, or related field, with at least 5 years in leadership role(s).

Other Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex information (such as scientific research or crisis scenarios) into clear, compelling narratives for varied audiences.
• Proven mastery in managing high-stakes issues and crisis communications, with a track record of maintaining organizational trust and clarity under pressure.
• Established history of cultivating trust-based relationships with media and influencers; ability to leverage these networks to secure high-impact earned media.
• Demonstrated skill in providing candid, strategic counsel to C-suite executives or senior government officials regarding sensitive public relations matters.
• Proven ability to lead and integrate varied teams (e.g., former journalists, science writers, crisis managers) toward shared strategic goals
• Demonstrated experience leading or supporting organizational change in complex environments, including aligning teams, communicating transitions clearly, and sustaining performance during periods of strategic or operational shift.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within a Research 1 (R1) university or a science/technology-focused organization, with specific skill in communicating STEM topics to lay audiences.
• Proficiency in integrating social media listening and digital engagement tools into crisis response and reputation management strategies.
• Experience navigating the intersection of public relations, government affairs, and higher education policy.

Required License(s) or Certification(s)

N/A

Valid NC Driver's License required
No

Commercial Driver's License required
No

Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions

Job Open Date
08/27/2026

Anticipated Close Date
9/09/2026; if posting is active we are still accepting and reviewing applications.

Special Instructions to Applicants

Please include a resume, cover letter, contact information for at least three professional references and a writing example as a part of your application materials.

Inquiries may be directed to Meena Raghavan, Recruiter, Talent Acquisition, at 919-513-5921 or [email protected]

Position Details

Position Number
00112065

Position Type
EPS/SAAO

Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week)
1.0

Appointment
12 Month Recurring

Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather
Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather

Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events
Non Mandatory - Emergency Event

Department ID
010101 - Chancellor's Office And Staff